At a Glance
- Tasks: Support product development for kidswear, ensuring quality and safety standards are met.
- Company: Join the innovative Kidswear team at Marks & Spencer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in children's fashion.
- Qualifications: Passion for product, attention to detail, and some technical knowledge preferred.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Junior Product Development Technologist to join our Kidswear team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. In this role, you’ll support the development and delivery of products that meet our quality, fit, safety and performance standards, working closely with design, buying, merchandising and supplier partners. This is a great opportunity for someone with a passion for product, strong attention to detail and a desire to build their technical knowledge within a fast-paced, customer-focused team.
Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What you’ll do
- Own the technical development and delivery of a product area, ensuring products meet M&S standards for quality, fit, performance, safety, compliance and customer satisfaction.
- Develop and maintain clear, accurate technical specifications, including fit, construction, materials, components, blocks and measurements, ensuring all product data is accurately maintained within PLM systems.
- Manage fit, block and pattern development activities, maintaining block libraries and seasonal patterns to support consistency, quality and critical path delivery.
- Approve development samples in line with agreed processes, ensuring products meet technical, quality and performance requirements.
- Manage adherence to product safety, ethical, legal and regulatory standards, ensuring compliance with legislation, corporate policy and M&S requirements.
Who you are
- Ability to interpret Departmental Strategy and provide insights based on technical knowledge.
- Multi-task orientated working to tight deadlines, understanding when to take decisions and when to seek guidance.
- To be able to analyse data (CIU, Bizarre Voice, QPI’s, PLM) and drive insights to support strategic thinking.
- Knowledge and experience of creating product specifications.
- Ability to manage departmental data and leverage M&S systems to enable strategic reporting.
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.
Junior Product Development Technologist – Kidswear employer: Marks & Spencer
Joining M&S as a Senior Technical Program Manager means becoming part of a vibrant and inclusive team dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences. With competitive benefits like a generous pension scheme, extensive training programmes, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, M&S fosters a culture of growth and collaboration. Located in a dynamic environment, you'll have the opportunity to lead transformative projects while enjoying a supportive work-life balance and the chance to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Product Development Technologist – Kidswear
✨Connect with Product Management Communities
Dive into online communities like Product School or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions. This can help you build relationships and visibility in the product management scene, plus you might hear about temp roles before they even get posted!
✨Attend Industry Meetups and Workshops
Check out local meetups or workshops specifically targeted at product management. These gatherings are prime spots to meet hiring managers and fellow practitioners. Plus, they often lead to connections that can help you land temporary roles.
✨Showcase Your Work with a Portfolio
Even if you're after a temporary gig, having a solid portfolio is key! Include case studies of past projects, highlighting your role and how you drove product success. Use platforms like Behance to display your work visually.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you spot a temp role like Junior Product Development Technologist – Kidswear at Marks & Spencer, go straight to their website to apply. Direct applications often have a better chance of standing out since they show commitment. It's worth the extra effort, trust us!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Product Development Technologist – Kidswear
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Sense:In product management, we want to see your understanding of user needs and business value. When you're crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight specific products you've worked on, the methodologies you used, and how those experiences shaped your product sense. If you have insights into user journey mapping, competitive analysis, or product lifecycle, make sure to feature them!
Highlight Relevant Experience:For a temporary role, employers often look for candidates who can hit the ground running. Make sure your written application showcases not just your past roles, but also specific outcomes you've driven. Don't shy away from using metrics—how did your contributions impact the product or team? We love when you quantify your achievements!
Be Ready to Adapt:Temporary positions can often lead to quick changes in direction. In your cover letter, convey your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Mention any experiences where you’ve had to pivot or adjust your approach to meet project goals. Talk about how you thrive in dynamic environments—it'll really resonate with us at Marks & Spencer!
Link to Your Portfolio:If you've worked on product roadmaps, user stories, or any visualisations, link to your portfolio in your application. Even a personal project that demonstrates your skills as a product manager can show your proactive approach. It's a great way for us to see your work in action and understand your style. And remember, apply through our website to make it easier for us to find you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Show Off Your Product Knowledge
Make sure we can discuss the product lifecycle with confidence! Be ready to showcase your understanding of key concepts in product management, such as roadmap planning and user research. We want to hear about any tools you're familiar with, like JIRA or Trello, as they’re popular in this space!
✨Agile Mindset is Key
As a temporary role, they'll want us to hit the ground running. Brush up on Agile methodologies and be prepared for scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate how you'd handle shifting priorities or tight deadlines. Show that you can think on your feet and adapt quickly!
✨Bring Your Portfolio of Projects
If you've got any product projects up your sleeve—be it case studies or live examples—bring them along! For a temporary position, they’re going to want to see tangible results from your previous work, so don't hold back on demonstrating how you've made an impact in past roles.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
They’ll be looking to see how you articulate your ideas, so practice your pitch! Make sure we can summarise complex product requirements into clear, understandable language. Being able to express yourself well is vital in product management, especially in a temporary role where quick collaboration is essential!
