As the technical product specialist in your category you will maintain our reputation of being the UKs most trusted retailer. Working closely with our supply base and category teams, you will drive the category growth plans to help craft the strategic direction.

The 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.

Using your technical knowledge, expertise and judgement you'll ensure the consistent delivery of innovative, high quality, safe, and legal products, which meet our M&S brand values, ensuring categories deliver their sales and profit targets. You'll identify and manage the delivery of strategic technical initiatives and be accountable for key technical workstreams. You'll use your knowledge and skills not only to deliver innovative technical solutions to continue to drive sales and customer satisfaction but also to aid your colleagues to deliver category business unit objectives.

The Main Responsibilities include:

Category and Supply Base

• Working with our suppliers to ensure products made safely to agreed standards
• Work with the category team development of innovative products and setting of quality standards
• Sourcing & developing suppliers to deliver the strategic business unit needs
• Work with your commercial team to source raw materials that meet the buying strategy
• Support business continuity plans and peak volume planning in conjunction with commercial team

New Product Development (NPD) & Innovation

• Build and deliver research and innovation plans
• Input to/Determine technical vision and input into strategy for your product area

Quality

• Ensure product quality is continually monitored and maintained. And develop action plans with suppliers to step change quality performance where required

Governance

• Utilise knowledge of Food Law to ensure product and packaging is legal
• Ensure Marks & Spencer’s Quality Management System implemented both internally and at suppliers
• Ensure suppliers are audited as appropriate ensuring non- compliances are remedied
• Management of an appropriate independent product testing programme
• Management & reduction of Customer complaints

Technology

• Provide up to date technical advice across the BU for specific products and other areas of technical responsibility
• Representation of the Business Unit and the company externally on industry issues
• Work with cross discipline groups on initiatives that require technical input
• Exploit new systems and processes building a better business
• Ensure ongoing technical benchmarking of industry sector to provide input for selecting a supply base
• Participation in action groups/project teams to drive business knowledge base and governance of key topics

To be successful in role you will have a degree level technical qualification in an appropriate subject alongside related/industry experience of specific industries within the food sector. Where appropriate you'll hold an externally recognised professional competence (e.g., FIFST, MIFST).