At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Home Hardgoods team in delivering innovative, high-quality products.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer with a commitment to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Develop your technical skills in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and ability to analyse data for strategic insights.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Join the Home Hardgoods team at M&S and play a key role in helping us deliver products that stand out on the high street. As an Assistant Technologist, you'll provide technical support across our Home Hardgoods range, ensuring products meet the highest standards of quality, safety, compliance, and ethical sourcing. Working closely with internal teams and suppliers, you'll help bring innovative products to life while protecting the trusted quality our customers expect from M&S. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your technical expertise within a fast-paced and collaborative environment on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What you’ll do
- Your key accountabilities will include:
- Where appropriate take full technical responsibility for a range as well as providing support to the Technology team across the Department acting on behalf of the Technologist to represent M&S externally and the Department internally.
- Work alongside the technologist to support delivery of the BU innovation strategy driving commercial customer focused benefit.
- Support the co-ordination of day-to-day activities (e.g., risk analysis, wearer trials,) to protect the department from product safety, compliance, and ethical issues in line with legislation and policy.
- Perform product benchmarking on behalf of the Technologist and keep informed of key trends and industry developments to build expertise.
- Maintain integrity of product data within the department on M&S systems, working with sourcing offices to ensure suppliers are compliant in providing complete and accurate information to enable reporting.
Who you are
- Your skills and experience will include:
- Ability to learn new technical skills, absorb information and manage own personal development.
- Excellent communication skills within GM technical function, design and buying, supply base and global Sourcing Offices.
- Multi tasked orientated working to tight deadlines, understanding when to take decisions and when to seek guidance.
- To be able to analyse data and drive insights to support strategic thinking.
- Knowledge and experience of creating product specifications.
What’s in it for you?
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing.
Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation.
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
- Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
Everyone’s welcome
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We are disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We are transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.
If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.
Assistant Technologist Home Hardgoods employer: Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and employee growth, making it a fantastic place for those looking to thrive in the retail sector. With flexible working hours and a commitment to personal development, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their roles while contributing to a dynamic and supportive work culture. Join us in shaping a greener, more inspiring future in retail, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Technologist Home Hardgoods
✨Get Your Hands Dirty in the Industry
For a temporary role in manufacturing, don’t shy away from physically visiting local factories and production sites. A friendly walk-in can often lead to spontaneous interviews or valuable connections, and can really help you get a sense of the workplace vibe.
✨Tap into Seasonal Hiring Windows
Manufacturing often sees spikes in hiring during particular seasons, like summer when production ramps up. Keep an eye on local job boards and community centres, or even visit seasonal job fairs—they’re golden for snagging those temporary roles we’re after.
✨Join Industry-Specific Communities
Consider joining online forums and social media groups specific to manufacturing. Sites like Reddit or even LinkedIn groups can give you insights into open positions and allow you to connect with current employees who might give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Site!
With Marks & Spencer looking for temporary talent, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s often the fastest way to get your foot in the door, so make the most of it. Plus, it shows you're proactive—always a win!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Technologist Home Hardgoods
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Practical Skills:In manufacturing and production, hands-on skills are key! Make sure your CV showcases any relevant experience with machinery, quality control, or assembly line work. If you’ve got certifications related to operating specific equipment, don’t forget to include those too!
Focus on Flexibility and Adaptability:For a temporary role, employers are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly and work well under pressure. Share any experiences where you've successfully adjusted to changing circumstances or tight deadlines.
Include Specific Measurements of Your Impact:Manufacturing roles often revolve around efficiency and productivity. If you’ve previously worked in similar roles, be sure to quantify your achievements. For example, mention how you improved production rates or reduced waste – numbers stand out and show you mean business!
Express Your Interest in the Industry:Temporary roles can be a great stepping stone for future opportunities! Take a moment in your application to express why you’re interested in manufacturing and production. Showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make a real difference and may keep doors open for upcoming positions!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
In the manufacturing and production world, they want to see that you can actually handle the tools and machines. Bring along any certifications you have or even pictures of projects you’ve worked on. We want to demonstrate that you're not just a theory person but someone who can jump right in.
✨Emphasise Safety Knowledge
Safety's a huge deal in manufacturing, so make sure you’re clued up about health and safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've followed safety protocols in past roles. It's all about showing you can contribute to a safe working environment at Marks & Spencer.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, highlight your adaptability and willingness to step into different roles as needed. Share examples of times you’ve adjusted quickly to new situations or tackled varied tasks. We want to show you're the go-to person when things get busy!
✨Ask About Team Dynamics
In any temporary role, fitting in quickly is vital. Ask about team dynamics and collaboration processes during the interview. This shows you’re not only ready to contribute but also keen to blend into Marks & Spencer’s culture, making you a valuable asset.
