Head of Engineering - Pick and Fulfilment (Java/ React) (London)
Head of Engineering - Pick and Fulfilment (Java/ React) (London)

Head of Engineering - Pick and Fulfilment (Java/ React) (London)

Whetstone Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering teams to develop innovative solutions for customer experience and fulfilment.
  • Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer committed to tech innovation and customer satisfaction.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, performance bonuses, flexible working, and comprehensive health benefits.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of retail technology.
  • Qualifications: Strategic leadership experience with a strong tech and retail background is essential.
  • Other info: Embrace an inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Head of Engineering – Pick and Fulfilment (Java/ React)Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Increase your chances of an interview by reading the following overview of this role before making an application.
Location: London Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1M 6HA
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Sainsbury\’s Tech
Closing date: 08 August 2025
Requisition ID: 400002721

Wed all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. Thats waiting for you at Sainsburys. Think about the scale it takes for us to feed the nation. The level of data, transactions and variety it involves. Then youll realise that ours is a modern software engineering environment because it has to be. Weve made serious investment into a Tech Academy and into setting standards and principles. We iterate, learn, experiment and push ways of working such as Agile, Scrum and XP. So you can look forward to awesome opportunities in everything from AI to reusable tech.

Head of Engineering Pick and Fulfilment

Are you passionate about new and innovative technology? Do you want to be at the forefront of innovation and transformation of how Sainsburys supports their customers with any issues they might be facing? If so, you might be the perfect candidate for the Head of Engineering role in the Pick and Fulfilment space.

About the team:

As the Head of Engineering, you will lead teams of engineers who are responsible for developing and delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance the customer experience, scales to the volumes of sales, focuses on the simplicity of our customer journeys and constantly evolves against the needs of the business and demands of our customers. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and fast-paced environment where you can make a real impact and shape the future of Sainsburys Tech and Retail.

Being at the heart of our obsession with the customer and an integral part of the end-to-end strategy to grow the business is key, collaborating with teams across Sainsburys Tech and 3 rd parties driving the alignment of our Pick & Fulfilment vision.

Have you ever wondered how we pick, pack and deliver your grocery order, or what its like behind the scenes to get an Argos product from our warehouses to customers safely and on time? Wonder no more, as this is the role for you. You will lead the teams and have a direct impact on our colleagues and customers, be at the heart of our successful brands and instrumental in getting our products into our customers hands.

You\’ll be a trusted voice for technology and innovation within our business community. With over 2000 locations, and 100,000 + colleagues, you will engage and manage stakeholders, teams, and suppliers to deliver exceptional experiences for our customers and colleagues. As a trusted leader of leaders, you will foster a high-performance, inclusive culture, ensuring your teams operate in an empowered and professional environment. You will have a focus on people leadership, engagement, and communication, driving delivery excellence, and championing technical excellence.

What you\’ll do:

Building strong relationships with business and tech leaders, you will be the trusted voice for technology and innovation within your respective business community. You\’ll lead and mentor teams of engineers to deliver unique and differentiating products, fostering a culture of innovation and high technical standards. You will be accountable for the processes and path to production and deployment of change, ensuring that all new and enhanced products and services are released seamlessly and in line with business change plans. As a leader, you will build strong relationships, drive continuous improvement, and champion the concept of expert, stable, and integrated teams. Your success will be measured by the quality of relationships established, successful alignment of product priorities and outcomes, technical excellence demonstrated, and the delivery of customer value and business outcomes at pace.

Who you are:

You\’re a strategic leader who knows how to build great relationships across a business. With your deep understanding of both the technology landscape and retail operations, you play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of unique and differentiating products to millions of customers. Leading and mentoring teams of engineers, you champion excellent engineering practices, foster a culture of innovation, and continuously strive for improved outcomes and value. Your ability to make sound judgments, manage budgets, and make data-driven decisions allowing you to drive maximum efficiency and effectiveness within your teams and deliver customer value at pace. With your passion for technology, and results-oriented mindset, you empower your teams to perform at their best and deliver high-quality solutions that align with the overall business strategy. You are a visionary leader who continuously stays relevant in the ever-changing technology landscape, and you make decisive decisions to drive success.

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so youll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, theres always the chance to try something new – whether thats as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business – and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, well also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
Starting off with colleague discount, you\’ll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury\’s, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsburys every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We\’ve also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You\’ll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 65% of salary, depending on how we perform (in cash and shares).

Your wellbeing is important to us too. You\’ll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. You\’ll also receive a company car cash allowance unless you are going to travel 10,000 business miles in your role, then you\’ll be able to choose a car. And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too.
Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks pay for paternity leave.
Please see for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).

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Head of Engineering - Pick and Fulfilment (Java/ React) (London) employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

Sainsbury's is an exceptional employer that prioritises work-life balance and fosters a culture of innovation and inclusivity. With a strong commitment to employee development through its Tech Academy, competitive benefits including generous discounts, performance-related bonuses, and flexible working options, Sainsbury's offers a dynamic environment where you can make a meaningful impact in the fast-paced world of retail technology. Join us in London and be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your growth.
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Contact Detail:

Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering - Pick and Fulfilment (Java/ React) (London)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in Java and React, as well as the specific technologies used in Sainsbury's Tech. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Sainsbury's Tech on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlighting your experience in fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence will resonate well with the hiring team.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Sainsbury's recent initiatives in technology and customer service. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their projects will show that you're proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering - Pick and Fulfilment (Java/ React) (London)

Leadership Skills
Technical Expertise in Java and React
Agile Methodologies
Stakeholder Management
Team Mentoring and Development
Strategic Thinking
Problem-Solving Skills
Data-Driven Decision Making
Continuous Improvement
Relationship Building
Project Management
Communication Skills
Budget Management
Innovation and Creativity
Customer-Centric Mindset

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in engineering leadership, particularly in Java and React. Emphasise your ability to lead teams and deliver innovative solutions that enhance customer experiences.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for technology and innovation. Discuss how your strategic leadership skills align with Sainsbury's vision and how you can contribute to their Pick and Fulfilment goals.

Showcase Your Achievements: Include specific examples of past projects where you led teams to success. Highlight any metrics or outcomes that demonstrate your impact on customer satisfaction and business growth.

Research Sainsbury's Tech: Familiarise yourself with Sainsbury's Tech initiatives and values. Mention any relevant knowledge about their Agile practices or tech academy in your application to show your genuine interest in the company.

How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities

Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of the Head of Engineering role, especially around leading teams, driving innovation, and enhancing customer experience. This will help you articulate how your skills and experiences align with what they are looking for.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a strategic leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to build relationships and mentor teams. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led engineering teams, fostered a culture of innovation, and delivered high-quality solutions. Highlight your approach to people leadership and how you empower your teams.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Technical Excellence

Given the focus on technical standards and practices, be prepared to discuss your knowledge of Java, React, and modern software engineering methodologies like Agile and Scrum. Share specific instances where you've implemented these technologies or practices to achieve successful outcomes in previous roles.

✨Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers

Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about the company's tech vision, team dynamics, and future projects. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values and career goals.

Head of Engineering - Pick and Fulfilment (Java/ React) (London)
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

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