Senior Front End Developer (7 Month FTC) in Hatfield
Senior Front End Developer (7 Month FTC)

Senior Front End Developer (7 Month FTC) in Hatfield

Hatfield Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Ocado Retail

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead frontend development, collaborate with teams, and ensure high-quality code.
  • Company: Join Ocado Retail, the world's largest online supermarket, in a dynamic tech environment.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, health perks, and discounts at M&S.
  • Other info: Experience growth in a supportive culture focused on AI and smart technology.
  • Why this job: Make an impact with cutting-edge technology and be part of an innovative team.
  • Qualifications: Expert in JavaScript/TS, React/Next.js, and strong collaboration skills.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (7 Month FTC)

Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working – 3 days in the office)

Working hours per week: 40 hours

Level: Senior

Application Closing Date: Wednesday 6th May 2026

About Us

Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We're also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we've recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague. We're Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world's largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com.

About The Team And The Role

We are looking for a Senior Front End Developer for a 7-month impact-driven contract. At Ocado Retail, we operate with the pace and autonomy required to lead the industry. This role is for a technical leader who thrives in a fast-moving environment and can juggle multiple priorities without losing sight of code quality or business objectives. You will be the bridge between engineering and the wider business.

What You'll Do

  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Build and maintain strong relationships not just with engineers, but with Product, Design, and Data teams. You will act as a technical consultant to the wider business, explaining complex frontend trade-offs in clear, non-technical language.
  • Technical Quality & PR Ownership: Lead the Pull Request (PR) process. You will provide direct, actionable feedback to engineers to ensure code is clean and performant, maintaining the trust our users have in our platform.
  • Managing Pace & Priorities: Comfortably switch between feature development, urgent bug fixes, and long-term automation projects. You can manage multiple workstreams effectively, ensuring we maintain momentum without sacrificing stability.
  • AI-Enhanced Development: Actively use and advocate for AI-driven workflows. You will leverage AI tools for complex logic problem-solving, code refactoring, and automating documentation to significantly increase team velocity.
  • Hands-on QA & Reliability: You are responsible for the end-to-end quality of frontend releases. This includes performing manual functional testing and writing automated unit/E2E tests to ensure 'zero-defect' deployments.
  • Safe A/B Testing: Architect and oversee experimentation logic. You will ensure tests are technically sound, reducing downtime and preventing performance regressions, upholding our commitment to data-driven excellence.

Who You Are

  • Senior JavaScript Mastery: Expert-level knowledge of modern JS/TS and React/Next.js with a deep understanding of browser performance.
  • Exceptional Relationship Skills: A proven track record of collaborating with non-technical stakeholders (Product Owners, UX Researchers, Marketing) to drive business value.
  • AI Power User: Extensive experience using Gemini, Claude, and GitHub Copilot to optimize the development lifecycle – from writing unit tests to debugging complex state management.
  • Leadership & Values: Proven experience leading teams in high-velocity environments. You embody Trust through your technical decisions and Pace through your delivery.
  • Full-Cycle QA Mindset: You take pride in shipping bug-free code and are proficient with testing frameworks like Playwright, Cypress, or Vitest.
  • Diplomatic & Direct: Comfortable giving firm technical feedback to engineers while maintaining a collaborative and supportive relationship with the wider business.
  • Resilient & Organised: Able to stay productive while handling context-switching across different projects and stakeholders.
  • Proactive Communicator: You don't just solve problems; you keep everyone informed of the 'why' and the 'how,' ensuring alignment across the board.

What's In It For You

By joining Ocado Retail, you'll have the chance to experience life at the world's largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what's possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. You'll also be part of our AI Academy, a dedicated learning journey designed to empower every colleague with the smart technology skills of the future.

Here's a taste of what we offer:

  • Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
  • Spend & Save: Recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
  • Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.

Our Hiring Process

We receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.

Your Application and AI

In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.

Everyone's welcome

We're an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at careers@ocadoretail.com and we'll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.

Senior Front End Developer (7 Month FTC) in Hatfield employer: Ocado Retail

At Ocado Retail, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions innovation and employee development. With our hybrid working model in Hatfield, you will enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises health and wellbeing, alongside unique benefits such as private medical insurance, generous discounts, and an AI Academy designed to enhance your skills. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions directly impact the future of online retail.
Ocado Retail

Contact Detail:

Ocado Retail Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Front End Developer (7 Month FTC) in Hatfield

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or at meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, especially those using modern JS/TS and React/Next.js. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your expertise.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Don’t forget to brush up on explaining complex concepts in simple terms – it’s key for collaborating with non-technical teams!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll be part of our innovative culture from the get-go!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Front End Developer (7 Month FTC) in Hatfield

JavaScript
TypeScript
React
Next.js
AI Tools (Gemini, Claude, GitHub Copilot)
Pull Request Management
Manual Functional Testing
Automated Testing (Playwright, Cypress, Vitest)
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Technical Communication
Problem-Solving
Code Refactoring
Context-Switching
Stakeholder Management
Leadership in High-Velocity Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Unique Self: When you're writing your application, make sure to let your personality shine through. We want to know who you are beyond your skills and experience, so don't be afraid to share your passions and what makes you a great fit for us!

Tailor Your Application: Take the time to customise your application for the Senior Front End Developer role. Highlight your experience with JavaScript, React, and AI tools like Gemini and Claude, and explain how these skills can help us deliver joy in every shop.

Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Use simple language to explain complex concepts, especially if you're discussing technical details – remember, we want to see how you can communicate with non-technical stakeholders too.

Use AI Wisely: Feel free to leverage AI tools in your application, just like we do at Ocado Retail. However, ensure that your unique voice comes through. We want to see how you can blend technology with your personal touch to stand out from the crowd!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ocado Retail

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your JavaScript, TypeScript, and React/Next.js skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with browser performance and how you've tackled complex frontend challenges in the past.

✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

Prepare examples of how you've worked with non-technical stakeholders like Product Owners or UX Researchers. Highlight your ability to explain technical concepts in simple terms, as this will be crucial for building strong relationships at Ocado.

✨Emphasise Your AI Experience

Since Ocado values AI-driven workflows, be ready to talk about your experience with tools like Gemini and Claude. Share specific instances where you've used these tools to enhance your development process or solve complex problems.

✨Demonstrate Your QA Mindset

Discuss your approach to quality assurance and testing. Be prepared to explain how you ensure bug-free code and your familiarity with testing frameworks like Playwright or Cypress. This will show that you take pride in delivering reliable software.

Senior Front End Developer (7 Month FTC) in Hatfield
Ocado Retail
Location: Hatfield

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