Food Technical - 12m Internship

We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work‑life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. Here, everything in our stores starts in Sainsbury’s Commercial. From product, proposition, packaging and price, to whether it meets our sustainability commitments or simply tastes great, our team is responsible for all food, non‑food and Clothing items available in Sainsbury’s stores, online and on demand. It’s an incredibly fast‑paced environment. People here are in it together and aren’t afraid to take risks. The knowledge and experience you gain here could set you up for career moves anywhere else in the business. So, if you’re passionate about your products and just as hungry to learn, you’ll fit in perfectly.

If you’re studying for an undergraduate Food Science or Science related degree and thinking about your work placement year (sandwich year), there’s nowhere better to look than Sainsbury’s. This is a brilliant opportunity for internship within our technical function. Ensuring our food always tastes delicious whenever it lands in our customers’ baskets is an important task, and one that falls to us in Sainsbury’s Brand. Over the years, we’ve built up quite the reputation for quality, taste, welfare and sustainability, so everything we do, we do with that in mind.

As an intern, you’ll put everything you have learned during your degree so far into practice to deliver a project of real business benefit. This is paid work with a FTSE 100 business, and a real foot in the door for only the most ambitious students.

On the Sainsbury’s Technical Internship, you’ll spend a year working alongside and being supported by experts in the Sainsbury’s Technical team. You will have the opportunity to build on your breadth of knowledge within a range of different product areas. Across the year you will:

• Complete two six‑month projects during your placement; these will be specific to your area and will provide an opportunity to work cross‑functionally within the Sainsbury’s Technical team. This will give you greater insight into the food retail industry and how our business works.
• You will present the findings of your two projects to leaders within the business.
• Have the opportunity to work with and visit our suppliers, giving you access to the whole supply chain.
• Have the opportunity to work in store, giving you insight into how your work affects our retail colleagues.

• A genuine passion for food and food retail.
• A desire to build on the learnings gained during your degree, and ability to apply your knowledge to real‑life or work situations.
• Ability to soak up knowledge from others within our business.
• Time management and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present to a range of stakeholders.

• You are a current second‑year bachelor’s student at university looking for an industry placement or sandwich year opportunity.
• Minimum 2:2 degree predicted in Food Science or another science‑related degree with a keen interest in food manufacturing and the food industry.
• You are proficient in Microsoft Office.
• You think critically, logically and analytically to solve problems.
• You work brilliantly with others, sharing ideas and using everyone’s strengths to get the best results.
• You are eager to learn – whether that’s about our organisation, our customers, or how things work behind the scenes.
• You are proactive and confidently make decisions.

• A competitive salary.
• Colleague discount across our multi‑brands including Sainsbury’s, Argos and Habitat.
• Holiday allowance.
• Special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more.
• Full‑year programme of inductions and immersions into our wider business.
• Ample resources at your fingertips – you’ll have everything you need to achieve your objectives and we will help you all the way.
• Help in navigating our business, and all other potential career journeys too, to help you make the right choice when you graduate.

Flexible working conversations are encouraged. Across our multi‑brands, we’re proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer that champions a diverse and inclusive culture. We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you’ll be welcomed no matter who you are or where you work. There’s always a 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. 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.