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Join us for an exciting industrial placement in the Foods team, where you’ll play a vital role in bringing our unique, high-quality own-brand products to our customers.

About the role

This placement is designed for curious, hands-on individuals who are eager to get close to customers and colleagues, ask questions, and make bold decisions. If you’re ambitious, ready to roll up your sleeves, and keen to innovate, we want you on our team.

Due to high interest applications may close earlier than advertised. To avoid disappointment we’d encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

What you'll be doing

You’ll get started with an induction into the Food Technology team, gaining insights into the broader functions in Foods. You’ll then spend two weeks in our stores, getting close to our customers and colleagues, learning what it takes to run a successful Food business. With a hands-on approach, you’ll get stuck in, asking questions and find innovative ways to surpass our high standards  .

After your time in store, you’ll get to work on specific projects within Food Technology focused on quality and innovation. You will be involved in food safety, integrity, supplier management, and taking our new products from concept to launch. This role requires travel as you’ll be spending time in our stores and with our suppliers. 

After six months, you’ll move on to a placement with one of our trusted suppliers, further expanding your experience within Food Technology. The placement could be with any of our suppliers, so mobility and dedication to your programme is essential.

When you return to university, you’ll have gained invaluable retail and industry experience to take back to your studies. There may also be an opportunity to return to M&S for the next stage of your career. 

What you'll need

Everything we create, we create for customers, so we look for customer- and product-obsessed people who are curious and keen to learn. You’ll need to be a team player who tells it as it is, aiming higher and learning fast. Our food products are world-famous and high-quality, so a genuine interest in business and a love for food is important.

You must be in at least your 2nd year of studying a degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related subject. You’ll also need to be fully mobile, with the first half of the placement based in our Support Centre in London and the second half at one of our suppliers within the UK.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of their preferred programme.

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Being an in-person business

We're at our best when we're close to customers, and for many of us at M&S, that means working in store every day.

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. It also means we can solve problems as soon as they arise, learn and grow as a team, build trust, and get closer to our colleagues.

A group of four colleagues sits around a table in a bright, modern office. They appear engaged in a casual meeting, with two of them looking towards the person speaking. A laptop and some food items, including packaged snacks, are on the table.

Example career path

You will have structured learning and development, but your career with M&S will be unique to you, with plenty of opportunity to accelerate at pace. Here’s an example of a path someone completing our Food Technology Industrial Placement might take.

- Graduate Food Technologist
- Food Technologist
- Senior Food Technologist
- Category Technical Manager
- Head of Food Technology

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Learning & support

Your development is our priority at M&S. We’re committed to helping you grow and aim higher every day. You’ll benefit from a structured programme that includes mentoring, on-the-job training, and opportunities to solve real challenges. This hands-on experience will be instrumental in building a long-term career in the Food industry.

We believe in being bold and ambitious, so if we see that you can reach your potential faster, we’ll provide the tools and opportunities to make it happen. However, the person who will drive this development is you. With our support, we want you to own and take charge of your growth. Your proactive approach and commitment to learning will be key to your success.

Benefits

How to apply

We’ll provide reasonable adjustments during the interview process. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to accommodate you.

Application form

Your first step will be to complete our online application form and tell us more about who you are and why you want to work with us. 

Online assessment

We’ll invite you to take part in an online assessment, where you can find out more about M&S whilst we find out more about you. 

Assessment stage

If your online assessment is successful, you’ll be invited to an assessment centre alongside your peers. The recruitment process for store-based roles will also include an opportunity to attend your final interview in one of our stores.

Industrial Placement - Food Technology

*APPLICATIONS CLOSED*

We are not currently recruiting for this Programme. Sign up to our Talent Pool to be notified or future application dates.

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