Transformation & Operational Development Manager (Fixed Term Contract) in London

Transformation & Operational Development Manager (Fixed Term Contract) in London

London Temporary 60750 - 74250 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Sainsbury's

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformative projects that shape Sainsbury's future in retail and digital.
  • Company: Join a leading retailer committed to innovation and inclusivity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, and a range of health and financial perks.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving meaningful change in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail transformation and strong analytical skills are essential.

The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.

Join our dynamic Transformation & Operational Development team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Sainsbury’s Retail and Digital operating models. You’ll be responsible for identifying, planning and successfully delivering complex, cross‑functional programmes that translate our Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy into real, measurable change across the business. Working closely with teams across Retail and Digital, this role calls for a challenger mindset, strong commercial insight and the ability to build brilliant relationships to drive impactful, end‑to‑end transformation.

As part of an agile pool of Transformation and Operational Development Managers, you’ll help design and implement solutions that genuinely move our business forward.

What You Will Do:

  • Own the end-to-end design and successful implementation of detailed and complex programmes that support the delivery of the Sainsbury's Strategy and Goals.
  • Ensure programmes are implemented successfully ‘Right first time’ within Retail and Digital, delivered on time, within scope, and to budget.
  • Think creatively and challenge the status quo to drive strategic and operational improvements.
  • Stay close to relevant business developments, market insights, and retail industry best practices.
  • Coordinate qualitative and quantitative analyses to draw insights, develop business cases, and measure results.
  • Model various options for new business and operating model designs, highlighting strengths and limitations with clear recommendations.
  • Work cross-functionally, building strong relationships with key stakeholders to deliver meaningful change.
  • Participate in post-implementation reviews to continually develop and promote business change best practices.

What You Need to Know and Show:

  • Essential: Strategic thinking (must be from a retail background).
  • Essential: Strong experience in complex E2E transformation, programme, project, and relationship management.
  • Essential: Analytical thinking / commercial acumen - ability to quickly analyse processes and data to find insights, identify opportunities, and measure improvements.
  • Essential: Great communication and influencing skills.
  • Essential: Prior knowledge of ecommerce / retail operating models within a store environment.
  • Understand how businesses work both operationally and financially.
  • Proactive in strategic orientation and hypothesis-led problem solving.
  • Comfortable working at pace in an ambiguous environment.

We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. As the link between sellers and buyers, retail and head office, our Retail Operations team is the cog that keeps things running. With teams focused on store-facing activity, labour, transformation, online, delivery and contact centres, we touch almost every part of the business. It’s an incredibly fast-paced environment, where you need to pivot not just daily, but often hourly. So while we plan as much as we can, it’s vital that we all think beyond our job descriptions and look for ways to optimise and improve everything we do. There’s also a real team ethos here. After all, it’s people like you who will truly transform this part of the business.

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 20% of salary, depending on how we perform.
  • 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, interest free car loan of up to £10k, 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.
  • 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).

Transformation & Operational Development Manager (Fixed Term Contract) in London 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.

Sainsbury's

Contact Details:

Sainsbury's Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Transformation & Operational Development Manager (Fixed Term Contract) 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

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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

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We think you need these skills to ace Transformation & Operational Development Manager (Fixed Term Contract) in London

Strategic Thinking
End-to-End Transformation
Programme Management
Project Management
Relationship Management
Analytical Thinking
Commercial Acumen

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.