At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead agricultural innovation and support sustainable sourcing for M&S Food.
- Company: Join M&S, a leader in sustainable food production and British farming.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of food and sustainability.
- Qualifications: HND in Agriculture and hands-on livestock production experience required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to positive change.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Job Description
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
As Agriculture Manager, you\’ll play a pivotal role in delivering the agricultural strategy for M&S Food, at a time when we are doubling down on our commitment to British farming and sustainable food production. You\’ll be at the forefront of our \”Plan A for Farming\”, supporting our ambition to source 100% British across key products, invest in sustainable farming and innovation, and help deliver on our commitment that, by 2030, all M&S British products will come from farms using regenerative practices. You\’ll work closely with our farming supply base, government regulators, NGOs, and industry groups to protect and enhance the M&S brand, and you\’ll be part of a team that is not only shaping the future of food at M&S, but also supporting calls for a national food security strategy to ensure a resilient, sustainable food system for generations to come. This is a role for someone who thrives on innovation, is passionate about sustainable sourcing, and wants to make a meaningful difference in the food industry. You\’ll be joining a close-knit, expert team that values collaboration, learning, and supporting each other. If you\’re ready to lead on agricultural innovation, drive category growth, and help shape the future of food at M&S, we\’d love to hear from you.
Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
What You\’ll Do
- Set and maintain production standards for agriculture protein raw materials, ensuring safe and legal procurement across the M&S Food Group.
- Deliver agricultural innovation and supply chain development, ensuring all activities align with M&S brand values and create meaningful points of difference.
- Provide technical direction on raw material sourcing, collaborating with commercial and technical teams to drive category growth and uphold standards.
- Advise the business on supply security issues, coordinate contingency and crisis responses, and recommend and deliver Agriculture Plan A Commitments.
- Collaborate with PR and Marketing to communicate M&S\’s approach to sustainable sourcing, building a trusted and brand-enhancing profile with our supply network and the wider agricultural community.
Who You Are
- You’ll have a formal agricultural qualification (HND Agriculture as a minimum) and hands‑on experience in livestock production, giving you a strong foundation to thrive in this role.
- You will bring a track record of delivering projects with pace, always ready to act as a solution provider in a fast‑moving environment.
- Communicating, influencing, and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders—whether suppliers, farmers, or industry bodies—comes naturally to you.
- Empathy for agricultural producers and a genuine understanding of agricultural production, customer needs, and brand values will set you apart and help you build trusted relationships.
- You’ll provide valuable insight into the raw material supply landscape, understanding its impact on business strategy, margin, and profit, and you’ll always act with integrity and accountability.
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’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.
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Agriculture Manager employer: M&S
Contact Detail:
M&S Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Agriculture Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the agriculture sector, attend industry events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Agriculture Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for sustainable farming! When you get the chance to chat with recruiters or during interviews, share your ideas on innovation and how you can contribute to M&S's commitment to British farming. Let them see your enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about your past experiences in livestock production and how they relate to the role. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges and delivered results in fast-paced environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the M&S team and making a difference in the food industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Agriculture Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Agriculture: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for sustainable farming and innovation shine through. We want to see how your background and experiences align with our commitment to British farming and the future of food.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. We love seeing how you can contribute to our 'Plan A for Farming' and support our agricultural strategy.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and qualifications stand out. This helps us quickly see how you fit into our close-knit team.
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 through our website and show us why you’re the perfect fit for the Agriculture Manager position!
How to prepare for a job interview at M&S
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your agricultural knowledge, especially around sustainable practices and British farming. Familiarise yourself with M&S's 'Plan A for Farming' and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Show Your Passion
Let your enthusiasm for sustainable sourcing and innovation shine through. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that demonstrate your commitment to these values, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience in collaborating with various stakeholders, from farmers to industry bodies. Think of examples where you've successfully influenced or engaged others, as this role requires strong communication skills.
✨Be Solution-Oriented
In a fast-moving environment, being a solution provider is key. Come prepared with examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. This will show that you're proactive and ready to contribute from day one.