At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformation programmes and improve logistics through effective project management.
- Company: Join Argos, a digital-led UK retailer pushing boundaries in customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, performance bonuses, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail while making a real impact on customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong knowledge of logistics required.
The predicted salary is between 61873 - 75623 £ per year.
About the team
Within Argos Operations, the Change & Transformation team turn strategic priorities into well-governed, measurable change programmes. The team works across Property, Procurement, Technology, Digital, Finance and Facilities Management - partnering with the Transformation Portfolio Office and other programme teams to improve consistency, strengthen delivery and create better outcomes for customers, colleagues and the business.
This is a fixed term opportunity for 9 months / until the end of April 2027.
More about the role
As Programme Manager, you will lead the programme management lifecycle and continuous improvement framework across transformation activity. With a focus on Logistics, you'll be the gatekeeper for change, ensuring initiatives are assessed, prioritised, approved and sequenced through a unified master programme plan. You'll design and run change forums, create clear escalation routes, resolve conflicts and blockers, and provide decision-ready reporting for audiences from working groups through to the Argos Board.
You will take ownership of programme-level controls covering planning, dependencies, risks / issues, change impacts, resourcing, benefits and delivery outcomes. This includes maintaining a change heatmap, ensuring consistent data and documentation in Planview, partnering with Finance on financial and non-financial benefits - and ultimately ensuring that proposals from wider functions are fit for purpose for Argos Operations. You'll lead two direct reports, coach programme colleagues, own communication channels and build programme maturity through practical standards, training and continuous improvement.
More about you
You bring strong knowledge of Logistics and project management methodologies (including Waterfall and Agile), and understand how to manage an end-to-end project lifecycle. You can design and embed programme controls in transformation and operational environments - and you use management information, dashboards and concise storytelling to support decisions at Board level. You are analytically and commercially minded, linking programme outcomes to customer, performance, cost and benefit measures.
You lead with ownership, clarity and respect. You can influence cross-business teams, challenge constructively, adapt your approach as circumstances change and keep people focused on agreed outcomes. You build credible relationships, listen to challenge, solve problems independently and maintain a strong customer perspective while improving how the wider programme operates.
Essential criteria
- Experience designing and embedding project or programme controls covering governance, reporting, planning, dependencies, resourcing, scope, risks and issues.
- Experience producing management information, dashboards and written updates that have supported decisions by Board-level or equivalent senior stakeholders.
- Applied knowledge of end-to-end project lifecycles and project management methodologies, including Waterfall and Agile.
- Experience leading major cross-functional transformation activity and influencing teams across functions such as Property, Procurement, Technology, Digital, Finance or capability.
- Ability to define and track financial and non-financial benefits, linking programme outcomes to agreed customer, cost and performance measures.
Ready to create clarity and momentum across complex change? Apply Now!
Responsibilities
At Argos, we’re a digital-led UK retailer that keeps pushing boundaries to meet every generation with what they want, how and when they want it. As a market leader in general merchandise, serving millions of customers through our website, app, same-day delivery and Click & Collect services, we offer real opportunities to learn, grow and shape your career. With roles spanning Commercial, Buying, Merchandising, Design and Supply Chain, through to Digital, Operations, Customer Experience, Marketing, and People and Transformation, you will work with brilliant colleagues and directly shape how we serve our customers every day.
From enabling inspiring choice across our owned brands, including Habitat, Chad Valley and Bush, alongside the world’s biggest brands like Apple, Lego, Xbox and Samsung, to making shopping effortlessly convenient, championing trusted value and accelerating our strategy - Argos is an exciting place to build your future.
Qualifications
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).
Programme Manager - Transformation Delivery in London employer: Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's in Torquay offers a vibrant work environment where teamwork and customer service are at the heart of everything we do. As a Night Shift Trading Assistant, you'll benefit from comprehensive training, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to make a real difference in our community by ensuring our store is well-stocked and welcoming. Join us for a rewarding experience in a supportive atmosphere that values your contributions and encourages career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager - Transformation Delivery in London
✨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
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✨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 Programme Manager - Transformation Delivery in London
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.
