We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. Think about the scale it takes to feed the nation. The level of data, transactions and variety involved. Then you’ll realise this is a modern software engineering environment, because it has to be. We’ve made significant investment in the standards and principles that shape how we work. We iterate, learn, experiment and champion ways of working such as Agile, Scrum and XP. So you can look forward to exciting opportunities across everything from AI to reusable tech.
In a nutshell
Sainsbury’s Tech is transforming how we operate as a modern, product‑centric, data‑driven technology organisation. The Head of Tech Operating Model Transformation plays a pivotal role in shaping, embedding, and maturing the operating model that enables our technology, product, engineering and delivery teams to work brilliantly together.
This role leads the design and continuous improvement of how we plan, prioritise, deliver and measure value across Sainsbury’s Tech. You will work across the Chief Technology Office to define clear, consistent and simple ways of working that help teams focus on outcomes, accelerated decision making and support our Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy.
Accountable for bringing clarity, structure and coherence to our operating model, you will lead the transformation roadmap, embed consistent practices, and create the frameworks that help colleagues understand how we run Tech — from planning rhythms to team design, capability expectations and governance.
A strategic, influential, and highly collaborative leader, you will coach teams, simplify complexity, and make it easier for colleagues to deliver brilliant work.
What you need to do
Operating Model Design & Transformation
* Lead the definition, evolution and embedding of the Sainsbury’s Tech operating model — spanning planning, delivery, governance, and team structures.
* Translate strategic ambitions into clear, practical and repeatable ways of working that enable pace, alignment and measurable value.
* Partner with leaders across technology and spanning all disciplines, product, engineering, delivery and more, to refine end‑to‑end operating practices and ensure they are understood and adopted consistently.
Strategy, Planning & Value Frameworks
* Define and maintain enterprise‑level frameworks for how we prioritise, plan and measure value across Tech (e.g. planning cycles, prioritisation models, OKRs/outcomes, investment alignment).
* Ensure our operating model supports strategy delivery and connects daily work to business outcomes.
* Work with other divisions in Sainsbury’s like our central transformation team, CDO and more, to ensure our operating model is supported by clear metrics, reporting and transparency across teams.
Simplification & Continuous Improvement
* Identify opportunities to simplify processes, eliminate duplication and streamline governance.
* Drive adoption of “just enough” governance, enabling faster decision making while managing risk effectively.
* Support alignment between divisional ways of working (Tech, Digital, Retail, Operations) to reduce friction and increase cross‑functional clarity.
Capability, Culture & Leadership Enablement
* Coach leaders and teams on adopting new ways of working, building confidence and capability across the organisation.
* Role‑model the behaviours, mindsets and practices needed for a modern, product‑centric tech organisation.
* Lead a small team of transformation specialists, uplifting capability and supporting their growth.
* Build understanding of organisational design principles, role clarity, skills frameworks and team health across Tech.
Stakeholder Leadership & Communication
* Provide clear, compelling communication of operating model changes, ensuring colleagues understand the “what, why and how.”
* Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders including the CTO on operating model impact, risks and opportunities.
* Represent the operating model in senior forums, ensuring visibility, alignment and focus.
What You Need To Know and Show
Essential
* Deep experience in operating model design, technology strategy, transformation or large‑scale organisational change — ideally within technology/product‑led organisations.
* Strong understanding of modern product, engineering and delivery practices (agile, lean, DevOps, product‑centric planning, value‑based prioritisation).
* Experience designing or embedding frameworks for planning, prioritisation, governance or organisational design.
* Ability to analyse complex systems and synthesise information into simple, clear recommendations.
* Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence senior leaders across diverse disciplines.
Desirable
* Retail, consumer‑facing or multi‑brand organisation experience.
* Background in management consulting, strategy or transformation roles.
* Relevant certifications (Agile, Lean, OD, Product Operations, Portfolio Management).
What I Need To Show
* Ability to lead enterprise level change with clarity, confidence and pace.
* Strong collaboration across Product, Engineering, Delivery, Data and business teams.
* Comfort with ambiguity, acting as a stabilising force in times of change.
* Outstanding storytelling — able to communicate complex concepts simply and bring people with you.
* High emotional intelligence, active listening and strong judgement.
* A mindset focused on outcomes, simplification and continuous improvement.
What decisions I can make including budget
* Operating model design choices and recommendations for how Tech should run.
* Frameworks, tooling and processes for planning, prioritisation and governance.
* Ways of working across the transformation scope, including adoption principles and standards.
* Priorities and activities of the Op Model Transformation team.
* Recommendations for capability uplift, role clarity and structural changes (non‑budgetary).
Directly or indirectly manages
* Directly manages 2 C5 Portfolio Managers
Benefits
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whatever 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 can 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 (which may vary for Nectar360), 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).
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