International Food Buyer - 12 months Fixed Term

Working at the heart of the International Foods team, this role combines strategic thinking with commercial delivery, owning everything from range development and pricing to promotions, trading plans and category performance. Collaborating closely with UK Food teams and cross-functional partners, the successful candidate will use customer insight, market trends and commercial expertise to create relevant, competitive ranges that meet the needs of international customers while delivering sustainable growth. With responsibility for balancing innovation, quality and value, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact on the continued success of the M&S International Food business.

We are looking for someone with strong commercial and food buying experience, who can use insight and data to drive category performance and deliver customer-focused growth. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in category strategy, range development and commercial planning, alongside the ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders across the business. A collaborative approach, strong commercial judgement and experience operating in international or complex retail environments will be key to success in this role.

NB This is a full-time role and is based at our Paddington Support Office a minimum of three days a week.

What you’ll do

Your key accountabilities will include:

• Commercial & Category Management – Proven ability to drive sales, profit and category performance through data-led decision making and effective trading strategies

• Commercial Planning & Trading – Strong track record of developing category plans, supporting commercial decisions and delivering activity that drives quality, innovation and value

• International Food Buying Expertise – Understanding of international food markets, with experience adapting ranges, pricing and promotions to meet local customer needs, market dynamics and regulatory requirements

• Stakeholder Influencing & Cross-Functional Collaboration – Skilled at working across Buying, Product Development, Supply Chain and commercial teams to successfully deliver product launches, innovation and category plans

Who you are

Your skills and experience will include:

• Commercial & Category Leadership – Proven experience managing category performance with strong commercial acumen, balancing sales, profitability, customer needs and long-term growth

• Strategic Category Management – Ability to develop and execute category strategies using customer insight, market trends, competitor activity and performance data to drive results

• Commercial Planning & Trading – Strong track record of shaping trading plans and delivering commercial activity that supports value, innovation and growth

• Data-Led Decision Making – Highly analytical, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify opportunities and risks, and turn insights into meaningful commercial actions

• Influencing & Stakeholder Management – Skilled at building strong relationships and influencing across cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders to deliver strategic outcomes

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

• 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 reinventing, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re redefining 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 to put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.

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