At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supplier partnerships and drive innovative product development in food safety and quality.
- Company: Join M&S, a trusted retailer committed to quality and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food innovation while working with passionate colleagues.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification and proven senior experience in the food sector.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team transforming the retail industry.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Everyone is welcome at M&S. No exceptions. It’s your background, abilities and differences that make you, uniquely you. And when you’re part of M&S, that individuality has the potential to make waves.
At M&S, we’re working to be the UK’s most trusted retailer, with exceptional quality products at the heart of everything we do. As a Senior Food Technologist, you’ll help us deliver on that promise, bringing sharp thinking, creativity, and sound judgement to every challenge.
We’re looking for someone accomplished and confident in their technical leadership. This isn’t a step-up role, it’s a step in, to a position with weight and visibility. Our Senior Technologists are trusted experts. You’ll represent M&S in the supply base, steer quality strategy, and make calls that balance technical integrity with commercial goals.
This role is hugely varied, and no two days are the same! You will lead on the quality, innovation, food safety, integrity, ethical and sustainability credentials of our products and work with passionate colleagues to continuously learn and step change our product ranges. You’ll move confidently between solo work and collaboration, adapt when priorities shift, and balance technical decisions with commercial goals. Food retail moves fast, and priorities aren’t always clear cut, you’ll need to be resilient, comfortable with ambiguity, and ready to solve problems creatively. And if in doubt, engineer more quality in.
If you care about quality, thrive on variety, and want to make a real impact—this could be your next move.
Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What you’ll do
- Lead supplier partnerships to ensure products are made safely and consistently to agreed standards
- Partner with the category team to shape innovative product development and define quality benchmarks
- Build and deliver research and innovation plans that drive strategic new product development
- Own product quality performance, using insight and supplier collaboration to deliver step changes where needed
Who you are
- Degree-level technical qualification in a relevant subject
- Proven experience within the food sector, operating at a senior level
- Confidence and credibility to lead technical decisions, represent the business externally, and influence quality strategy
- Externally recognised professional competence where appropriate (e.g., FIFST, MIFST)
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
We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re 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.
Senior Food Technologist - London, Greater London employer: Marks & Spencer
Contact Detail:
Marks & Spencer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Food Technologist - London, Greater London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food tech industry, especially those at M&S. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Brush up on M&S’s values and recent innovations in food technology. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a mate to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your experience and how it aligns with M&S’s goals, especially around quality and innovation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the M&S team and making an impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Food Technologist - London, Greater London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Quality: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for quality shine through! Share specific examples of how you've ensured product excellence in your previous roles. We want to see that you care about delivering top-notch products.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in the food sector. Use the job description as a guide and align your skills with what we're looking for. This helps us see how you fit into our team at M&S.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Senior Food Technologist role. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Early!: Due to high interest in this role, we recommend applying as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute—get your application in early through our website to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to food technology. Understand the latest trends in food safety, quality standards, and sustainability practices. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just a candidate, but a potential leader in the field.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your achievements in food technology. Whether it’s leading supplier partnerships or driving innovative product development, having concrete stories ready will demonstrate your capability and experience effectively.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Share instances where you balanced technical decisions with commercial goals, showcasing your ability to adapt and thrive in a team environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about M&S's approach to quality and innovation. This not only shows your genuine interest in the company but also gives you a chance to assess if their values align with yours. It’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and leave a lasting impression.