Category Technical Manager

Marks and Spencer; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% colleague discount on products

Competitive holiday allowance

Discretionary bonus schemes

Strong pension and life assurance

Tailored induction and training

Exclusive perks and savings

Market-leading family policies

24/7 wellbeing support

One paid volunteer day a year

Job summary

A leading food retailer in Greater London is seeking a Category Technical Manager to lead a team of technologists. You will oversee product safety and quality, drive innovation, and mentor staff in a fast-paced environment. A formal qualification in food science and experience in team management are required. This 12-month fixed term contract offers competitive benefits. Join us to help shape the future of retail.

Qualifications

• Experience in line managing multiple direct reports.
• Ability to provide clear direction during technical challenges.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high performing team of technologists.
• Drive the technical agenda for the category.
• Guide the team through technical challenges and incidents.
• Build capability through continuous learning initiatives.
• Collaborate on category strategy alignment.

Skills

Leadership

Technical expertise in food science

Team development

Calm under pressure

Education

Formal qualification in food related science

Job description

We’re reshaping our Food business to broaden its appeal, protecting the magic our customers love while modernising everything else. That means outstanding quality, high sourcing standards, and market-leading innovation remain at our core, while we transform our supply chains, improve our stores, and deliver better value. We’re looking for motivated people ready to bring their whole self to work and thrive in a fast‑paced, ambitious team. After all, this isn’t just food… this is M&S Food.

As Category Technical Manager, you will lead and inspire a team of technologists to deliver safe, stable and legal products that meet the high standards customers expect from M&S. You will build a high performing team, coaching colleagues to grow their expertise and supporting them with clarity and confidence as they navigate technical challenges. Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will remain hands on, working operationally within your category to oversee product areas and supplier partnerships. This blend of people leadership and practical technical ownership means you stay close to the detail while shaping the bigger picture. You will influence category strategy, strengthen supplier performance, drive technical innovation and ensure robust governance. Your ability to lead people, guide decision making and remain practically connected to the work will make a meaningful impact every day.

Due to high interest, this role may close earlier than advertised. We recommend applying as soon as possible.

Please note this role is a 12‑month fixed term contract.

What you’ll do

• Lead, coach and develop a high performing team of technologists, creating an environment where people can thrive and deliver their best work.
• Drive the technical agenda for your category, shaping innovation, quality improvements and supplier performance through strong leadership.
• Guide your team through technical challenges and incidents, providing calm, clear direction that protects customers and the brand.
• Build capability across the team by championing continuous learning, structured development and technical excellence.
• Collaborate with colleagues across trading and product to ensure strong alignment and delivery of category strategy.

Who you are

• An inclusive and confident people leader who inspires trust, builds capability and brings out the best in others.
• Skilled at managing and supporting a team, with experience line managing multiple direct reports and guiding colleagues through change.
• A technically strong food professional with a formal qualification in a food related science and relevant industry experience.
• Calm and considered under pressure, able to provide clarity and direction during incidents or complex technical challenges.
• Committed to continuous professional development, maintaining strong technical knowledge and driving learning across the team.

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.