At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex tech programmes, using AI to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
- Company: Join Tesco, a leader in retail innovation with a focus on technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, generous holiday, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of store technology and infrastructure.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in managing large-scale tech programmes and strong technical knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Technical Programme Manager is accountable for delivering a portfolio of complex, large-scale store hardware and infrastructure programmes that underpin critical Tesco business priorities. These programmes span multiple technologies, suppliers, and geographies, and carry significant technical, operational, and commercial risk. You will lead programmes end-to-end, shaping ambiguous initiatives through to execution and rollout. A core expectation of the role is the active use of data, automation, and AI-driven insights to improve operational efficiency, delivery predictability, risk management, and decision-making at scale.
Responsibilities
- Deliver a portfolio of complex, large-scale technology and infrastructure programmes aligned to key business outcomes.
- Define, own, and continuously optimise integrated delivery plans, including technical implementation, rollout sequencing, and operational readiness.
- Initiate and shape programmes with ambiguous scope, evolving requirements, and uncertain delivery models.
- Manage dependencies across engineering, platform, product, operations, and supplier teams, using AI-enabled tracking and insights to provide transparency and early risk visibility.
- Build a deep technical understanding of infrastructure architecture and the store operations it supports, enabling informed, high-quality decisions.
- Apply strong judgement and influence to manage trade-offs across cost, risk, quality, and speed, supported by data-driven and AI-assisted analysis.
- Leverage AI and analytics to improve operational efficiency, including:
- Predictive risk identification and mitigation.
- Delivery performance tracking and forecasting.
- Incident trend analysis and root-cause identification.
- Automation of reporting, governance packs, and operational insights.
- Establish new or enhance existing delivery methodologies, embedding automation and AI to improve pace, consistency, and execution quality.
- Lead the management of major incidents, ensuring timely, accurate, insight-led communication to enable effective decision-making.
- Ensure post-incident reviews are data-driven, actions are tracked, and learning is systematically embedded into future delivery.
- Provide strong leadership that enables delivery through others, fostering ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Support long-term planning and annual budget definition, using data and AI-supported forecasting to improve investment decisions.
- Build trusted relationships with supplier partners and internal/external stakeholders to deliver hardware, software, rollouts, and professional services.
Qualifications
- Delivering complex technology and/or infrastructure programmes across multiple teams and geographies.
- 3+ years’ experience leading multiple large-scale technology programmes, ideally in distributed, retail, or operational environments.
- Strong technical knowledge of infrastructure, deployment architectures, and the software development lifecycle.
- Deploying both data-centre and distributed hardware solutions supporting 24/7, business-critical applications.
- Anticipating risk and proactively mitigating issues using structured, data-driven approaches.
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex topics clearly to senior stakeholders.
- Building credibility and influencing senior leadership teams.
- Excellent programme, stakeholder, and vendor management capability.
- Demonstrated resilience during incidents, change, and ambiguity while maintaining delivery momentum.
- Strong understanding of agile and modern delivery techniques.
- Experience applying data, automation, or AI to improve delivery efficiency, insight, and outcomes.
What’s in it for you?
- Annual bonus scheme up to 20% of base salary.
- Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays).
- Private medical insurance.
- 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 year’s service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay; 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave.
- Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing.
Technical Programme Manager -- Store Hardware, Infrastructure, Vendor Management in Welwyn Garden City employer: Tesco Technology
Tesco is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets responsibility in the realm of cyber defence. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to mentoring and development opportunities while working alongside a diverse team committed to fostering inclusion and collaboration. Located in a vibrant retail ecosystem, Tesco provides competitive benefits, including an annual bonus scheme, generous holiday allowance, and comprehensive health support, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Programme Manager -- Store Hardware, Infrastructure, Vendor Management in Welwyn Garden City
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Tesco Technology values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Tesco Technology might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Tesco Technology!
✨Direct Apply to Tesco Technology
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Tesco Technology website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Programme Manager -- Store Hardware, Infrastructure, Vendor Management in Welwyn Garden City
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Tesco Technology.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Tesco Technology. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tesco Technology
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
