Technical Manager - Homeware / Textiles / Lighting (6-9 Month FTC)

Wed all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. Thats waiting for you at Sainsburys. From fragrance to car care, clothing and pots and pans, our General Merchandise team delivers all the non-food items for Sainsburys, Habitat and Argos customers. This multi-brand environment means you get to work across most areas. You can also be a pioneer, because the team believes in being brave, iterating and learning as they go. They also develop deep connections to other departments, which opens up a lot of different career opportunities for you. Whats certain is that youll spend time on the shop floor to get closer to customers, and bring a broad perspective and the full support of your manager with you wherever you decide to develop next.
Why join us
Joining Sainsbury\’s as a Technical Manager on our Home team means being part of a forward-thinking and customer-centric organisation where you can lead and execute global technical strategies for both Sainsbury\’s and Argos. You will have the opportunity to drive continuous product improvement, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and shape innovative solutions that enhance customer experiences. By fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and strategic collaboration, you will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing technical policies and standards that set new benchmarks for product development. Join us to be part of a dynamic team committed to achieving business goals and delivering exceptional products to our customers.
What you\’ll do
As the Technical Manager, you will be responsible for leading and executing the global technical strategy for Sainsbury\’s & Argos, ensuring that products align with industry trends and technological advancements. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop department strategies that align with commercial objectives and drive ongoing improvement in product development. Your role will involve leading and executing projects, developing technical policies and standards, and fostering a culture of excellence within your team to deliver exceptional products that meet safety, legal, and quality standards. Additionally, you will work closely with the Asia Technical Managers to ensure continuous improvement, resolve production issues swiftly, and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and industry experts.
Who you are
You are an accomplished leader with extensive technical product knowledge and manufacturing expertise in your specialist area. Your strong leadership, communication, and coaching skills enable you to drive continuous improvement and foster a culture of excellence within your team. With a relentless focus on customer needs and a commitment to delivering high-quality products that align with industry trends, regulations, and commercial objectives, you play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the global technical strategy for Sainsbury\’s and Argos. Your ability to build strong cross-functional relationships, make timely decisions under pressure, and drive performance at all levels further exemplifies your dedication to achieving excellence in product development and operational performance.
Essential criteria:
Extensive technical Product knowledge / Manufacturing knowledge in your specialist area.
Strongly developed leadership, people management and communication skills. Proven experience of managing teams of technologists and specialists.
Ability to coach and develop team members and suppliers with different backgrounds.
Has wide knowledge and connections in product supply chains.
In depth knowledge of EU & UK legislation and requirements.
#LI-PC1
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so youll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, theres always the chance to try something new – whether thats 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, well also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
Starting off with colleague discount, you\’ll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury\’s, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsburys every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. 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 additional holiday. 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, pay 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, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too.
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 for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).