Product Development Technologist

Marks and Spencer; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retailer in the UK is seeking a Product Development Technologist responsible for developing innovative, safe, and competitive beauty products. You'll collaborate with buying and design teams, manage product delivery timelines, and keep up with industry trends. The company offers a hybrid work model, competitive benefits including a colleague discount, and a focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Benefits

20% colleague discount

Competitive holiday entitlement

Discretionary bonus scheme

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Wide range of training programmes

Wellbeing support services

Charity volunteer day

Qualifications

• Ability to meet tight deadlines while maintaining entrepreneurialism.
• Capable of interpreting customer data to shape future product development strategy.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for department(s) and representing technology externally.
• Deliver clear briefs for new product development and relevant tenders.
• Ensure all technical deadlines are met per BU critical path.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure quality feedback.
• Keep abreast of latest technology trends.

Skills

Expert in developing beauty products with a focus on skincare

Excellent communication skills

Multi-task oriented

Ability to interpret customer data

Embrace change

Job description

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From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.

As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.

We are looking for a Product Development Technologist to join the team. You will be responsible for technically developing market leading products. Manage delivery of innovative, safe, legal, ethical and price competitive products that differentiate M&S from competitors.

To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.

We have a flexible / hybrid approach - talk to us about part time or job share opportunities in this role, if it’s meaningful to you, it’s important to us.

What’s in it for you

Be a part of M&S – 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 exceptional quality, value, and 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 scheme 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 Choice portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
• 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

Your key accountabilities will include:

• Technically accountable for department/departments and representing M&S technology externally and across the business. Develop great quality products in collaboration with buying and design teams. Developing junior members of the technical team.
• Deliver clear briefs for new product development & relevant tenders, including raw materials, claims, texture, required product testing, and M&S compliance requirements.
• Critical path - ensure all technical deadlines are met in line with BU critical path and continually work to optimise lead time whilst maintaining product technical standards.
• Work closely with raw material suppliers where relevant to ensure quality feedback and innovation are embedded into the seasonal strategy.
• Keep abreast of the latest technology trends in raw materials, claims, manufacturing techniques, and relevant packaging. Feed into the product development process.

Who you are

• Expert in developing beauty products with a focus on skincare.
• Excellent communication skills within the Beauty Technical Function, Design, and Buying, Supply Base, and Global Sourcing Offices.
• Multi-task oriented working to tight deadlines while maintaining entrepreneurialism.
• Capable of interpreting customer data to shape future product development strategy.
• Ability to embrace change and strive to embed new processes and ways of working.

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. M&S strives to be an inclusive organization, 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 self 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 to put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.