Food Logistics Graduate Programme

At M&S, retail has an energy. Our customers feel it because our colleagues bring it. And it creates careers that outdo anything you may have imagined.Setting new standards in shopping experiences. Creating food that gives the nation fresh flavours. Standing for sustainability. Making fashion that dials up expectations. That’s what we do here, and more. This is Retail. Turned up.

‍⚪ About this programme

‍Looking for a career that gives you non-stop challenge? Find it in M&S Food Logistics.Our graduate programme is delivered by Gist, the logistics partner behind M&S Food. It’s ideal for anyone looking to build a career in logistics, operations, engineering, programme delivery or business leadership. Over two years, you’ll work in the heart of one of the UK’s largest and most complex food supply chains, learning what it takes to get our much-loved products from suppliers, to distribution centres and into M&S stores. This isn’t a programme where you only observe from the sidelines. It’s designed to give you the hands-on experience to become a future leader or project specialist, helping to shape the future of our business. It means from day one, you’ll be immersed in our operations, working alongside experienced leaders, contributing to real challenges. You’ll develop a deep understanding of how logistics keep products moving and elevate your skills and confidence, so you’re ready to head into an exceptional career.

‍🟡 What you’ll be doing

‍The M&S Food Logistics Graduate Programme offers two distinct development journeys, depending on the pathway you choose when you apply.If you join one of our specialist schemes (Project Management, Safety, Sustainability or Fleet Engineering), you’ll spend your first six months building a strong understanding of our operations, customers and supply chain. From there, you’ll transition into your chosen specialism, where you’ll develop technical expertise, gain exposure to real business challenges and take ownership of meaningful projects that support the future of our network.If you choose the Logistics Management scheme, your journey will be focused on developing the leadership, operational and commercial skills needed to manage warehouse and transport operations. Through a series of placements across our logistics network, you’ll gain hands-on experience leading people, delivering performance and understanding how we keep products moving to M&S stores across the UK.Throughout the programme, you’ll be supported by experienced leaders, mentors and structured development opportunities designed to help you build the skills, confidence and experience needed for a successful career with M&S Food Logistics.23 September 2026Here's a quick overview of each of those pathways.

• Logistics Management

Help ensure our Primary and Retail operations are exceptional, getting hands-on experience in our warehouses and transport environments. As you scale up your skills, you’ll become a Shift Manager, ensuring colleagues work safely and are inspired keep achieving high standards.

• Project Management

If you’ve got a practical mind that loves to keep improving, this path is perfect. Working within programme teams at M&S Head Office, you’ll help deliver initiatives that increase our efficiency, heighten our performance and make customer experiences even more exceptional.

• Safety

The most important thing about our operations is that it’s safe. You can help make them safer, better and more sustainable. Working alongside experts, experience both the operational and strategic sides of Health and Safety, and create positive change across our business.

• Sustainability

From supporting carbon reduction initiatives to reporting on our environmental impact, and helping teams achieve sustainability goals, get hands-on experience working on projects that make a real difference. And play a big part in making our net zero ambitions a reality.

• Fleet Engineering

Our products go nowhere without the vehicles to move them. This path will give you full-scale, in-depth experience of the teams, technology, management and maintenance that keeps one the UK’s largest commercial fleets performing at its best. What it takes to succeedHigh standards and a hunger to make real impact. That’s what you’ll need. We’re looking for ambitious, curious and motivated people who want to learn and make a difference. You don’t need previous logistics experience. What matters is your skill as a team player and your desire to take on new challenges. A ‘give it your all’ mindset is most important. Alongside that, this is what we’re looking for.

• Someone who enjoys solving problems.
• An ability to take ownership and responsibility.
• Building strong relationships with others.
• Adapting to changing environments.
• Challenging yourself to continuously improve.
• A genuine passion for learning and development.

🟢 Where it could lead

‍This programme is about creating a pipeline of future leaders across M&S Food Logistics. So, wherever your ambitions lie, we’ll give you the experience, support and network to progress into operational leadership or specialist roles across our business.23 September 2026Depending on your chosen pathway, these are the kinds of roles you could progress into after your programme:

• Transport Operation Managers
• Warehouse Operation Managers
• Associate Project Manager
• Fleet Engineering Manager
• HSE Improvement Specialist
• Sustainability Manager

🔵 Why Choose M&S Food Logistics?

‍Our food is not just any food. We’ve built our reputation on quality, value and innovation. And it shows, with over 32 million customers and new stores continuing to open across the nation. By ensuring our customers can find the products they need, when and where they need them, our Logistics teams are crucial to this success.You’ll join our business during an exciting period of growth, investment and transformation, where you can bring fresh thinking, influence change and help shape the future of food logistics. Most importantly, you’ll be trusted with real responsibility from an early stage in your career, supported by experienced leaders who want you to make big impact. A few other things to know

• This is a national graduate programme and flexibility around location is important.
• As part of the programme, you will undertake placements across different locations as part of your development journey.
• Relocation support will be available for eligible placements, including local site support and relocation assistance where applicable.

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How to apply

Eligibility Criteria

• You must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme
• You will have graduated from any degree by the time the programme starts in September 2027

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Application Form

Your first step will be to complete our online application form. You can only apply to one programme per annual recruitment cycle, and we’d encourage you to choose the one that feels like the best fit for you.

We close our vacancies on a rolling basis and closing dates can change. We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.

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Online Assessment

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

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Assessment Centre

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

You can find out more detailed information about our assessment process on Life@M&S.

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