At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Store Technology Blueprint, ensuring effective hardware standards and technology alignment.
- Company: Join M&S, a dynamic and inclusive retail leader committed to quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20% discount, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving change in a digital era.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail technology and make a real impact in-store.
- Qualifications: Experience in program leadership and a strong understanding of retail technology.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
What's in it for you? Being a part of M&S is exactly that - playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We're an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing outstanding quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.
Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special:
- After completing your probationary period, you'll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
- Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
- A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
- A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
- Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
- Industry-leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
- Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
What you'll do:
- Own and govern the Store Technology Blueprint as the single source of truth, defining hardware standards, target end states, and what 'good' looks like - ensuring it remains stable, with intent, and aligned to roadmaps, supportability, and returns value.
- Lead rolling blueprint planning, maintaining a forward-looking refresh horizon for all stores, translating Digital & Tech roadmaps into clear, time phased technology intent.
- Orchestrate cross Digital & Tech demand, aligning multiple domains to surface initiatives early, resolve conflict, and ensure coherent sequencing before reaching delivery teams.
- Partner with Retail Implementation and Property, aligning blueprint intent to delivery realities, providing technical expertise, and ensuring clear handoffs for effective in store execution.
- Drive obsolescence planning, governance, and blueprint integrity, ensuring proactive risk management, structured decision-making, consistent asset alignment, and a trusted, joined up view of store technology plans.
Who you are:
- Validated program and portfolio leadership experience, with a consistent track record operating in sophisticated, scalable organisations.
- Deep understanding of retail / technology environments, particularly hardware deployment, lifecycle, and in-store considerations.
- Strong strategic capability, able to operate across multi year horizons while balancing long-term intent with operational constraints.
- Experience working in matrixed environments, partnering efficiently with implementation teams without direct ownership of execution.
- Highly credible partner manager and communicator, with experience engaging senior technology, property, and operational leaders, and knowledge of obsolescence and lifecycle planning.
Everyone's welcome. We are ambitious about the future of retail. We're redefining, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We're redefining 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.
Store Technology Blueprint Lead employer: MARKS&SPENCER
Joining M&S as a Store Technology Blueprint Lead means becoming part of a vibrant and inclusive team dedicated to delivering exceptional quality and service. With competitive benefits such as a generous pension scheme, extensive training programmes, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing, M&S fosters a supportive work culture that encourages personal and professional growth. Located in a dynamic retail environment, this role offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of technology in stores while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Store Technology Blueprint Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former M&S employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Store Technology Blueprint Lead role. Personal connections can give you insights that no job description can.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into M&S's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who genuinely cares about bringing the magic of M&S to life. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family, focusing on the specific skills mentioned in the job description. This will help you articulate your experience in a way that resonates with the hiring team.
✨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 us that you’re serious about joining the M&S family. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Store Technology Blueprint Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Store Technology Blueprint Lead role. Highlight your experience in retail technology and how it aligns with M&S's goals. We want to see how you can bring that magic to our customers!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role requires validated program and portfolio leadership experience, don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact in previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at MARKS&SPENCER
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the latest retail technology trends and hardware standards. Brush up on your knowledge about lifecycle management and in-store considerations, as these will be crucial in demonstrating your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your program and portfolio leadership experience. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully operated in complex, scalable organisations and how you've managed cross-functional teams without direct ownership.
✨Align with M&S Values
Familiarise yourself with M&S's commitment to inclusivity and innovation. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to redefining the retail experience for customers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your strategic capability and problem-solving skills. Think of situations where you've had to balance long-term goals with operational constraints, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
