<p>Why join us</p> <p>Joining Sainsbury's as a Senior Innovation Manager - Grocery Food means being at the forefront of identifying and launching new product innovations that resonate with our customers and drive commercial success. Working closely with the Head of Innovation – Grocery Food and cross-functional teams, you will have the opportunity to lead the development and execution of strategic product plans within specific categories, leveraging market trends and customer insights to deliver compelling and commercially viable product ranges. With a focus on fostering an innovation culture, driving high performance within your team, and influencing key stakeholders, this role offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where you can make a significant impact and contribute to the growth and success of Sainsbury's.</p> <p>What you'll do</p> <p>As the Senior Innovation Manager - Grocery Food at Sainsbury's, you will be at the forefront of identifying new trends and opportunities to drive product innovation that resonates with our customers. Working closely with the Head of Innovation – Grocery Food and cross-functional category leadership team, your primary focus will be on developing strategic product plans that align with Sainsbury's commercial strategy. You will lead the creation of a 12-18 month pipeline of category-specific products and innovations, utilising market trends and customer insights to drive growth and deliver commercially viable product ranges. Additionally, you will be responsible for managing a high-performing team of product developers to ensure the successful execution of innovative projects from concept to launch, driving performance and enhancing customer experiences across the business.</p> <p>Who you are</p> <p>You are a seasoned professional with a proven track record in food product development and innovation within the retail or manufacturing industry. You bring an analytical and strategic approach to your work, driving commercial success through your ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams. Your exceptional project management skills, excellent communication abilities, and successful people management experience enable you to champion innovation, drive high-performance teams, and deliver impactful product and innovation plans that align with business objectives and customer needs.</p> <p>Essential Criteria</p> <ul> <li>Proven experience of delivering results in a Food Product Development Innovation within retail, manufacturing, food service</li> <li>Proven line management and leadership experience, including the ability to lead, create and develop high performing teams to achieve business objectives</li> <li>Demonstrable analytical and strategic ability, commercially astute & experience in influencing & leading internal stakeholders</li> <li>Experience of developing category product and innovation plans</li> <li>Strong project management and planning experience&nbsp;</li> </ul>