Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Joining Sainsbury's as a Product Developer in General Merchandise means being at the forefront of innovation and creativity, playing a crucial role in shaping and delivering exciting new products that resonate with our customers. General Merchandise at Sainsbury's covers a diverse range of product areas from Seasonal gifting to Homewares and Stationery. As part of a collaborative team that values customer quality measures and embraces new trends, you will lead projects, set design directions, and drive innovation excellence, while receiving support and resources to enhance your skills and expertise. You will be part of a dynamic environment that encourages creativity, communication, and cross-functional collaboration to bring innovative products to life and make a real impact in the retail industry.

You will play a crucial role in shaping and delivering the Product Plan for your sub-category areas, ensuring compliance with all Gated Process requirements and documentation. Responsibilities include being the custodian of taste and quality by setting customer quality measures for all products developed, utilising various insights to inform strategy and project objectives, and leading the creation and delivery of the Product Brief for new and improved products. You will keep abreast of market trends, manage the end-to-end design generation process, and ensure accuracy of customer-facing product information. Additionally, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and business partners to drive innovation and increase customer exposure to new products and ranges.

Sainsbury's Commercial team is responsible for all food, non-food, and clothing items available in stores, online, and on demand. It is a fast-paced environment where people work together and are not afraid to take risks. The knowledge and experience gained here could set you up for career moves anywhere else in the business. If you are passionate about your products and eager to learn, you will fit in perfectly.

Experience
Proven and current experience in non-food product development within general merchandise categories in a large, complex retail organisation. Strong understanding of end-to-end product lifecycle management and knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, and supplier management. Commercial analytical skills with the ability to balance creativity, customer insight, cost, quality, and margin to deliver commercially successful ranges.

About you
You are a dedicated professional with a strong background in product development within retail or manufacturing, essential for driving innovation and delivering high-quality products that meet customer expectations. You possess commercial awareness, expertise in customer quality measures, and a proven track record in setting product direction through detailed briefs and processes. You have excellent communication and influencing skills, able to confidently engage, challenge, and influence senior stakeholders to gain alignment on product direction and commercial decisions. Your passion for new trends, effective communication, and strong drive to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams demonstrate your commitment to delivering excellence and driving success in product development.

Qualifications
Sainsbury's is committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, welcoming colleagues from all backgrounds. There is always the chance to try something new within evolving teams or other areas of the business. Development is taken seriously with strong support provided. Flexible working is offered where possible. Benefits include colleague discounts, pension scheme, life cover, performance-related bonuses, holiday allowance with options to buy additional holiday, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance options, employee assistance programme, and generous parental leave policies. Length of service and eligibility criteria may apply.