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- Tasks: Lead the transformation of Sainsbury's General Merchandise category and oversee strategic planning.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer focused on customer-led innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with collaboration across multiple teams and locations.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail while making a real impact on customer experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in category planning, project management, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
As part of Sainsbury’s Commercial, our General Merchandise (GM) team is responsible for shaping a customer-led proposition that delivers both commercial success and a market-leading offer. Working across Buying, Category Planning, Supply Chain, Marketing and Retail, we collaborate to define strategy, deliver innovation and ensure our customers have a seamless and inspiring shopping experience.
We are looking for a Head of Category Planning to join the team on a 12 month Fixed Term Contract, based out of either our London or Coventry office, with regular travel required to the other location.
As Head of Category Planning for Sainsbury's General Merchandise, you will lead the transformation agenda for the GM category, shaping a future-fit strategy that delivers against customer needs and commercial ambitions. You will oversee the development and execution of the category plan, ensuring our range, space, value and promotional strategies are cohesive, insight-led and operationally robust.
Day-to-day, you’ll lead a high-performing team of Category Planners and Range Analysts, working cross-functionally with colleagues in Trading, Supply Chain, Commercial Operations, Marketing and Nectar360. You’ll set direction, enable smooth delivery of key projects, champion the customer throughout decision-making and manage strategic workstreams that shape the wider Business Unit.
About you
You will bring proven experience in category planning, commercial strategy, project management or a closely related discipline. Analytical, commercially astute and customer-obsessed, you are confident working in complex and fast-paced environments, able to balance long-term thinking with agile decision-making.
As a highly adaptable and influential leader, you will be comfortable shaping concepts from early discovery through to implementation. You role-model inclusive leadership, building high-performing teams that embrace change and deliver excellent outcomes. You thrive when collaborating widely, creating alignment and driving momentum across multiple stakeholder groups.
Essential criteria
- Proven strategic leadership, with the ability to set long‑term vision while delivering short‑term commercial outcomes.
- Exceptional influencing and cross‑functional collaboration skills, able to drive change through multiple teams.
- High‑level analytical, project management and category planning/ranging experience, with the ability to manage complexity and ambiguity.
- Inspirational, inclusive people leadership, building, coaching and motivating a high‑performing team.
- Strong understanding of our buying and category planning practices.
- Experience in leading complex change programmes (end to end).
Head of Category Planning - Grocery General Merchandise in London employer: Sainsbury's
Contact Detail:
Sainsbury's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Category Planning - Grocery General Merchandise in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Sainsbury’s and understanding their General Merchandise strategy. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their transformation agenda.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and driven change. Highlight your ability to collaborate across functions and influence stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Sainsbury’s team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category Planning - Grocery General Merchandise in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Category Planning. Highlight your experience in category planning and commercial strategy, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in project management and cross-functional collaboration. We love a good story that shows your customer obsession!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires high-level analytical skills, make sure to include any relevant data or metrics from your previous roles. We want to see how you've used insights to drive commercial success and shape strategies in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Sainsbury's General Merchandise category. Understand current trends, customer preferences, and how they align with the company's strategy. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your analytical skills and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Category Planning, you'll need to lead a high-performing team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach, including how you build and motivate teams. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed change and driven results in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration Questions
Expect questions about your experience working with different teams, such as Trading, Supply Chain, and Marketing. Think of examples where you've successfully influenced stakeholders and driven alignment across departments. This will highlight your collaborative skills and ability to navigate complex environments.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you balance long-term vision with short-term outcomes. Prepare to share examples of strategic initiatives you've led, focusing on how you shaped concepts from discovery to implementation. This will showcase your ability to think critically and act decisively in a fast-paced setting.