At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical onboarding and compliance for Sellers on the ARGOS marketplace.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Sainsbury's, known for innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, flexible working, private healthcare, and performance bonuses.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in product safety and compliance while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in product compliance or regulatory affairs.
- Other info: Collaborate across departments and explore diverse career opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This position is responsible for the technical onboarding, management, compliance, and overall lifecycle of Sellers and general merchandise categories on the ARGOS marketplace platform. This position will serve as the technical authority responsible for product data, safety, auditing, regulatory compliance, and Seller onboarding. The individual in this role will ensure that all listed products adhere to internal standards, comply with legal requirements, and meet customer expectations. The position operates cross functionally to support and govern all compliance for Sellers and product and commercial teams, translating regulatory, safety and quality requirements into commercially scalable marketplace processes.
What am I accountable for
- Technical & Regulatory Ownership
- Serve as the technical subject-matter expert for general merchandise categories (e.g. home goods, electronics accessories, toys, apparel, lifestyle products) – collaborating with both product experts and the regulatory team.
- Ensure Sellers products comply with applicable UK & NI regulations (e.g. product safety, labelling, chemical compliance, electrical standards).
- Interpret regulatory requirements and translate them into marketplace policies, process, technical specifications, and validation rules.
- Manage any regulatory changes and work alongside category teams and sellers to both issue updates and manage QMS.
- Own category-specific onboarding processes, technical standards, testing documentation evidence and documentation guidelines.
- Translation of complex technical and regulatory concepts into clear commercial and operational requirements for marketplace.
- Marketplace Product Governance
- Define and maintain product listing requirements, attributes, and validation logic to ensure accuracy, compliance and consistency.
- Partner with product teams to implement compliance checks, risk flags, and enforcement tools.
- Review and approve / reject high-risk or escalated products prior to listing.
- Oversee corrective actions for non-compliant products, including 'off sale', remediation plans, recalls and seller education.
- Support on sanctions for issue / stock recovery.
- Supplier & Seller Enablement
- Support seller onboarding by rolling out technical documentation requirements (test reports, declarations of conformity, certifications etc).
- Act as a technical escalation point for sellers, category managers, and customer support teams.
- Develop guidance, training materials, and self-service tools to help sellers meet compliance standards efficiently.
- Risk Management & Quality Assurance
- Identify emerging regulatory and safety standards, along with quality risks within general merchandise categories.
- Conduct root-cause analysis of product incidents, recalls, or customer safety complaints.
- Develop controls and preventive measures to mitigate operational, reputational, and compliance risks.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce defect rates, compliance breaches, and customer dissatisfaction.
- Collaborate with legal and risk teams on audits and investigations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with category management, legal, operations, and data teams to align technical requirements with commercial goals.
- Provide technical input into category expansion, new product launches, and new product entry strategies.
- Support regulatory audits and respond to external authority inquiries when required.
What I need to know
- Essential
- Strongly developed leadership and communication skills.
- Able to build strong cross functional relationships and key stakeholder management.
- Has wide knowledge of GM product categories and quality, safety and regulatory requirements.
- Has wide knowledge and connections with authorities, key bodies that inform, guide and support regulatory requirements within retail and selling.
- Can work under pressure and make balanced, commercial timely decisions.
- Qualifications Desirable
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, product safety, quality management, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience in product compliance, technical product management, quality assurance, or regulatory affairs within general merchandise or consumer products.
- Strong working knowledge of product safety and compliance frameworks across multiple categories and UK / NI.
- Experience working with large product catalogues, suppliers, or marketplace environments.
- Preferred Experience in large scale business / e-commerce or multi-seller marketplace platforms.
- Familiarity with rule-based validation systems, or product data tools.
- Exposure to international regulatory regimes and cross-border trade requirements.
- Project management experience in cross-functional, fast-paced environments.
Core Competencies
- Technical judgment and risk-based decision-making
- Regulatory interpretation and application
- Ability to balance commercial objectives with compliance and ethical standards.
- Audit Management / QMS knowledge
- Stakeholder management and influence
- Process design and scalability
- Data-driven problem solving
- Data Analytics with strategic follow up actions.
- Clear written and verbal communication
Success Metrics
- Management and reporting of non-compliant listings and regulatory incidents
- Improved seller compliance rates and onboarding efficiency
- Audit readiness and regulatory response quality
- Customer safety outcomes and product quality indicators
- Scalability of technical standards across categories and regions
Technical Manager employer: Sainsbury's
Contact Detail:
Sainsbury's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 the company and its products. Understand their compliance standards and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your skills and how they relate to the Technical Manager role. Highlight your experience with product compliance and regulatory requirements to stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Technical Manager role. Highlight your experience with product compliance and regulatory standards, as this is key for us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical knowledge! We want to see how you’ve tackled compliance issues or managed product data in the past. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like regulatory requirements.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember 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’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Know Your Regulations
Make sure you brush up on UK and NI regulations related to product safety, labelling, and compliance. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also understand the legal landscape that surrounds it.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
This role requires collaboration across various teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with different departments in the past. Highlight your ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable steps for non-technical stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Communication
Strong leadership and communication skills are essential. Think of instances where you’ve led a project or initiative, especially under pressure. Be ready to discuss how you managed stakeholder relationships and communicated effectively to achieve results.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential compliance issues or product incidents you might face in this role and how you would handle them. This will demonstrate your critical thinking and risk management skills.