At a Glance
- Tasks: Support quality, innovation, and compliance in fabric sourcing and technical standards.
- Company: Join M&S, a leader in sustainable fashion and responsible sourcing.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Build your expertise while making a positive impact on the fashion industry.
- Qualifications: Strong learning agility and interest in fabrics and sourcing models.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At M&S, our Fabric and Technical teams play a key role in delivering quality, innovation, safety and responsible sourcing across Fashion, Home and Beauty. As a Junior Technologist in the Central Fabric Team, you’ll support the delivery of technical standards, raw material sourcing strategy, digital development and compliance across our global supply base. This is a brilliant opportunity to build your technical expertise, work closely with sourcing offices, mills and suppliers, and help shape smarter, more sustainable ways of working across the business.
What you’ll do
- Support the delivery of quality, innovation, safety, compliance and ethical standards that differentiate M&S from the high street.
- Help maintain the business raw material sourcing strategy, working with sourcing offices, mills and suppliers to support effective end-to-end delivery.
- Support critical path activity, ensuring technical deadlines are met while helping to optimise lead times and maintain product technical standards.
- Contribute to digital development and PLM processes, helping to improve data accuracy, reporting and visibility across teams.
- Champion Plan A, product safety, ethical and environmental standards, while staying close to emerging fabric, fibre and manufacturing technologies.
Who you are
- Strong learning agility, with the ability to quickly absorb technical information and proactively build your knowledge.
- Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across Technical, Buying, Design, sourcing office and supplier teams.
- Good organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions and know when to escalate.
- Analytical mindset and systems confidence, with the ability to use PLM data, trackers and reporting to support insight-led decisions.
- Interest in fabrics, raw materials, sourcing models and responsible product standards, with a proactive approach to continuous improvement and change.
What’s in it for you?
- 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.
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.
Junior Technologist - Central Fabric 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 Junior Technologist - Central Fabric
✨Tap into Fashion-Specific Platforms
When you're hunting for that entry-level role in fashion, check out platforms like Fashion Jobs or Not Just a Label. These sites focus on the fashion industry and can help you get your foot in the door with relevant listings that might not be on mainstream job boards.
✨Show Off Your Style on Social Media
Utilise Instagram and Pinterest to showcase your eye for fashion. Create a portfolio of your style or even designs if you’re feeling creative. This not only builds your personal brand but also gets you noticed by potential employers who are always on the lookout for fresh talent.
✨Join Fashion Networking Events
Get yourself along to local fashion events, pop-up shops or trade shows. Networking is key in fashion, so chat with industry professionals, and don't be shy to hand out your contact details. You never know who might put in a good word for you when an entry-level role opens up.
✨Apply Directly to Marks & Spencer
Don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page at Marks & Spencer for any entry-level openings. Applying directly through their website can often put you ahead of the competition, especially if they’re looking to fill roles quickly. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Technologist - Central Fabric
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Style:When you're applying for a job in fashion-apparel, it's crucial to let your personal style shine through in your application. Incorporate design elements or a unique layout in your CV that reflects your understanding of current trends and your creative flair. This helps us see how you think about aesthetics from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Education & Experience:If you’ve taken any fashion courses or have experience in retail, make sure that's front and centre on your CV! Whether it's a part-time job at a clothing store or a fashion-related project you worked on at university, we want to see how your background aligns with our fashion-forward ethos at Marks & Spencer.
Passion Over Experience:Since this is an entry-level position, we understand you might not have loads of experience. So, in your cover letter, focus on your passion for fashion! Share why you're excited about working with us at Marks & Spencer, and connect it to your motivation for wanting to enter this vibrant industry.
Include a Portfolio, Even If Small:If you have any sketches, designs, or mood boards, don’t hesitate to share them! Even a small portfolio links creativity to your application and can set you apart. If you don't have any portfolio pieces yet, consider including links to your favourite fashion blogs or Instagram accounts that inspire you — we love seeing what gets you excited about fashion!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Show Off Your Passion for Fashion
Let’s be real; the fashion world is super competitive. So, we need to showcase our passion! Bring a portfolio of our best styling looks, whether it’s a mood board, personal projects, or even student work. It’s our chance to show Marks & Spencer that we live and breathe fashion!
✨Stay Trendy and Informed
Before the interview, we should catch up on current trends, famous designers, and industry news. It might just be the perfect icebreaker or the punchline to a question! Plus, it shows Marks & Spencer that we’re not just here for a job; we’re genuinely keen on what’s happening in the world of fashion.
✨Demonstrate Your Creativity
Since we're stepping into an entry-level role, we should be prepared to discuss our creative process. Maybe sketch a design or outline how we’d style a specific piece if asked. Marks & Spencer wants to see our imagination at work, so don’t be shy about expressing our unique ideas!
✨Know Your Fashion Terms
Let’s brush up on our fashion vocabulary! From ‘couture’ to ‘athleisure’, knowing the lingo can really help us in the interview. Marks & Spencer might throw in some technical questions, so being fluent in fashion speak will show we’re ready to dive into the industry headfirst.
