At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of Sainsbury's Food Warehouse Management System and drive strategic initiatives.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer committed to innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Access personal development tools and collaborate with a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in logistics while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in logistics systems, project management, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Joining Sainsbury's as the Head of Food WMS Transformation offers a unique opportunity to lead a pivotal role in shaping and delivering strategic initiatives within our Logistics division. With the chance to influence and drive change across our Food WMS transformation, you will play a key role in enhancing our warehouse capabilities and driving efficiencies.
As the Head of Food WMS Transformation, you will play a pivotal leadership role within the Logistics division, responsible for shaping and delivering the strategic transformation of Sainsbury's Food Warehouse Management System (WMS) across all depots and operational areas. Your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading programme and project delivery, defining and driving the transformation roadmap.
- Executing the business change management plan, overseeing complex cross-functional projects.
- Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in delivery practices.
Your deep understanding of logistics systems and operations, strong strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and ability to simplify complex problems will be essential as you collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive business change and unlock operational efficiencies.
You are an accomplished leader with a deep understanding of logistics systems and operations in a retail environment, particularly within warehouse management systems. Your strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and proven experience in project and change management enable you to drive the strategic transformation of Sainsbury's Food WMS, leading cross-functional teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
What you need to do:
- Lead programme and project delivery across Food WMS Transformation by leading a market-leading governance process.
- Influence teams not within your reporting structure to deliver their objectives within the programme.
- Own and execute the business change management plan, including impact assessments, training coordination, and stakeholder workshops.
- Oversee delivery of complex, cross-functional projects, ensuring alignment with business cases and measurable outcomes.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in delivery practices.
- Accountable for assigned project budget(s), ensuring recording of spend/hours use is accurately recorded and within financial rules.
- Identify critical dependencies and risks, ensuring early visibility and mitigation planning.
Essential:
- Deep understanding of logistics systems and operations in a manual and automated environment, ideally within UK retail.
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to simplify complex problems.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proven experience in project and change management.
- Ability to think end to end and develop cases for business change to unlock value.
Desirable:
- Experience in shaping and delivering change programmes.
- Ability to connect the dots across multiple projects and functions.
- Innovative mindset with a pragmatic approach to implementation.
- Knowledge of interconnecting systems with WMS, e.g. TMS, Yard Management, Supply Chain.
What you need to show:
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to lead numerous concurrent projects and lead a large cross-functional team.
- Confidence in communicating with stakeholders across different levels and functions.
- Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive mindset with a willingness to take ownership and follow through on actions.
- Familiarity with project management tools and reporting formats.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and supporting team collaboration.
Support we will provide:
- Access to personal development tools e.g., Bitesize talks, online self-development tools, internal mentoring.
- Access to the wider Logistics Systems delivery team, including OSSG, Project Managers, Change Managers and the wider Tech PMO team.
- Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Please note: This role profile is aimed at describing the core output that should be achieved in this role. It is not intended to include specific tasks, temporary activities or projects to recognise flexibility in a changing context.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s 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, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
- Colleague discount, saving 10% on shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat.
- Pensions scheme and life cover.
- Performance-related bonus of up to 65% of salary, depending on performance.
- Annual holiday allowance, with the option to buy up to an additional week's holiday.
- Private healthcare.
- Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance.
- Company car cash allowance unless travelling 10,000 business miles.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
Head of Food WMS Transformation in Coventry employer: Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's is an excellent employer for those passionate about fashion and design, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With opportunities for professional growth and mentorship within a dynamic team, employees can thrive while contributing to innovative womenswear collections that resonate with customers. Located in a supportive environment, Sainsbury's prioritises employee well-being and development, making it a rewarding place to build a career in the fashion industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Food WMS Transformation in Coventry
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Sainsbury's and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Sainsbury's!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Sainsbury's keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Food WMS Transformation in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Sainsbury's:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Sainsbury's. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Sainsbury's.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Sainsbury's that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Sainsbury's. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
