A summer placement in the Location Planning team will provide an early opportunity to gain awareness of the strategic focus in ensuring our stores are in the right place for both our business and our customers.

Entry requirements

Ideally working towards a geography degree, and ultimately expecting to graduate with a 2.1 or above, although other disciplines including Town Planning, Retail or Business Management will also be considered.

The eight week placement allows you to really add value through your business project whilst gaining valuable hands on experience; you could be based at one of our distribution centres, regional offices or our London Store Support Centre and find yourself planning volumes, forecasting for new lines, setting up a temporary warehouse, testing a new system, looking at key line availability, or making recommendations for transport planning.

Entry requirements

Working towards a degree in logistics, retail or business management.

What is it like?

“With so much change in Logistics there were lots of opportunities for me to get involved in really exciting projects whilst meeting a wide variety of people. It also helped me with my degree on my return to university.”

Will McGrath - Logistics placement

A placement in our IT division will provide an insight into the complexities of the IT function within a Retail environment, developing project management, influencing and IT technical skills along the way.

Entry requirements

Any degree discipline is welcome although Information Technology Management for Business, Business or Retail Management is preferred.

What is it like?

“A placement was the perfect way to find out about IT roles prior to starting my career whilst getting some great experience. I look forward to joining permanently after my degree.”

Terry Jordan - Information Technology placement

The HR placement will allow you to work on a high profile project across one or more of the core HR areas including Reward, Leadership Development and Recruitment. You will have the opportunity to consult with our teams in stores and distribution centres on the work you do as this is vital to the success of initiatives designed at the London Store Support Centre. We'll measure your success on your levels of drive as well as your ability to influence the teams around you.

Entry requirements

You will be completing your undergraduate degree preferably in Human Resource Management or Occupational Psychology and be keen to work towards a Masters degree in this field.

What is it like?

“The placement was a great opportunity to put into practice the theory from my undergraduate degree, and see how policies and projects are implemented on the ground.”

Sarah Tucker - Human Resources placement

Spending your summer working with us will ensure that you get an insight into one of the diverse areas in the Commercial team, from becoming involved in delivering best value in all our goods not for resale or experiencing at first hand a refurbishment, extension or new store build.

Entry requirements

Ideally studying for a Business or Retail Management related degree, or Architecture or Engineering, but our priority is your potential to deliver creative customer focused solutions within the retail environment.

What is it like?

“I got real satisfaction from seeing the ideas I came up with implemented at the end of my placement, knowing that I have helped to improve customers' shopping experiences.”

Rachel Chatterton - Commercial placement

What will you be doing?

This placement is designed to give you a broad insight into the different areas of buying including Product Range Reviews, Category Plans, Product launches, Product Sourcing or our Fairtrade and Organic ranges. By the end of the eight weeks you will have an understanding of what goes on behind the scenes to deliver an ever improving quality shopping experience for our customers.

Entry requirements

You may be studying towards a degree in any discipline, and ultimately expect to graduate with a 2.1 or above.

What is it like?

“The buying placement was a great way to gain an insight into the dynamic world of Sainsbury's and I developed crucial business skills.”

Rebecca Loftus - Buying placement

Product Technologists ensure we offer fresh, safe and healthy food. The role encompasses animal welfare and integrity, socially responsible sourcing and reducing our impact on the environment. All this is produced by a variety of means from visiting suppliers, sampling, agreeing specifications and standards and performance management to name a few.

Entry requirements

You will be studying for a degree in food science, food technology, biological science or nutrition, and be looking to complete a one year placement as part of your degree course.

What is it like?

“The product technology placement is a great opportunity to work closely with suppliers to ensure that the quality, safety and integrity of Sainsbury’s products is of the highest standards every day.”

Philippa Brightman - Product Technology placement

Product Developers bring healthy, tasty own-label products to our shelves. They stay ahead of the competition and deliver high quality products our customers expect. You’ll brief suppliers to develop products, and sample them until they’re perfect. You’ll also work with product technologists ensuring products are safe and with buyers to determine how they should be retailed.

Entry requirements

You will be studying for a degree in home economics, food science, or food marketing, and be looking to complete a one year placement as part of your degree course.

What is it like?

“I took on real projects and loved working with a variety of suppliers, the Marketing team and product technologists to develop new concepts. The work is fast paced, hands on and hugely rewarding.”

Nicola Kerven - Product Development placement

5% of products at Sainsbury's are from one of our Own Brands, be it Taste The Difference or Basics, Free From or Organics. The Own Brand team is instrumental in setting the innovation agenda, managing product propositions and inspiring and engaging our colleagues in the Sainsbury's brand. We offer a one year placement in Own Brand Marketing, providing an opportunity to manage key products which have a real impact on our customers and colleagues.

Entry requirements

You will be studying for a retail, business management or marketing degree.

What is it like?

“The work I have done has been engaging; customer orientated, and has allowed me to develop my leadership qualities. The team I work within have been fantastic at helping me manage my work load and settle in to working life.”

Oliver Espinasse - Own Brand placement

A summer placement in the Online team will provide an early opportunity to gain awareness of an aspect of the buying, merchandising, marketing or logistical aspects of our online retail operation at a time when we are expanding our online channel to support our growth across Food and Non-Food.

Entry requirements

We’re looking for driven and ambitious students, who are seeking an opportunity to apply their creative and commercial thinking to the many challenges our Online placement presents. You should also be working towards a degree, in any discipline, and ultimately expect to graduate at 2.1 or above.