At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a transformative programme to reshape Sainsbury's Commercial Food Division.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values growth and celebrates achievements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale transformation programmes and strong SAP expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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.
Why join us
Joining Sainsbury's Commercial Change team on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract, means playing a pivotal role in one of the most significant transformation programmes in our business.
As part of our ambition to "Win in Food", we are partnering with SAP to transform our core commercial systems and processes, creating the foundations for future growth and innovation.
This multi-year programme will fundamentally reshape how we work across our Commercial Food Division, unlocking new capabilities, improving efficiency, and enabling better outcomes for our customers.
You'll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, shape future ways of working, and lead a high-profile change programme that will have a lasting impact across the organisation.
What You’ll Do
As the Head of Commercial Transformation for Core Commercial Transformation, you will be responsible for defining and delivering the future operating model for our Commercial Food Division.
Leading a team of business process analysts, you will work closely with senior stakeholders, process owners, and technology partners to design scalable and effective commercial processes that support our long-term ambitions.
You will lead the design workstream for a complex, technology-enabled transformation programme, ensuring robust planning, governance, and delivery across multiple interconnected initiatives.
Working collaboratively across the business, you will challenge existing ways of working, identify opportunities to simplify and improve processes, and drive alignment on key programme decisions.
Using your expertise in programme leadership and transformation, you will manage risks, issues, dependencies, and stakeholder engagement while ensuring high-quality outcomes are delivered at pace.
You will also bring external insights and industry best practice to help shape the programme approach and future operating model.
Who You Are
You are an experienced transformation and programme leader with demonstrable SAP expertise and a strong track record of delivering large-scale, technology-enabled change within a commercial environment.
You combine strategic thinking with pragmatic execution, enabling you to navigate complexity, influence senior stakeholders, and drive meaningful business outcomes.
You bring strong design leadership credentials, with the ability to own the complex delivery of a design workstream from approach through to execution.
You are confident defining the design approach, ensuring plans are robust and progress is actively monitored, while managing risks, issues and dependencies across interconnected workstreams.
You thrive in ambiguous environments, demonstrate resilience when facing challenges, and have the confidence and credibility to engage effectively with both internal and external partners.
As a leader, you inspire and empower others through clear communication, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering results.
Essential Criteria
- Significant experience leading large-scale technology-led transformation programmes involving SAP solutions within Commercial Food Retail, with strong knowledge of commercial operations, supplier relationships and related processes.
- Proven experience designing and implementing end-to-end business processes and operating models.
- Ability to lead complex programmes involving multiple workstreams, stakeholders, risks, dependencies, and governance requirements.
- Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate vision into practical delivery plans and outcomes.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to build consensus across diverse viewpoints.
- Experience working successfully within large retail matrix organisations and managing relationships with internal and external partners.
- Demonstrated resilience and adaptability when leading change within fast-paced and evolving environments.
- Ability to identify risks proactively, develop mitigation plans, and drive solutions to complex business challenges.
- Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
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
- Starting off with colleague discount, you'll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year.
- 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 up to an additional week's holiday, and we provide private healthcare.
- We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary 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.
- 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 www. sainsburys. jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
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Head of Commercial Transformation 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 Commercial Transformation
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Sainsbury's. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Sainsbury's.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Sainsbury's.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Transformation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Sainsbury's and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Sainsbury's will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Sainsbury's.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Sainsbury's.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Sainsbury's. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
