Product Technology (Food)

What does the scheme involve?

Product technologists ensure that we offer fresh, safe and healthy food. The role encompasses animal welfare, sustainability, packaging, socially responsible sourcing and environmental issues.

The scheme begins with 4 months spent in store so you can fully understand the retail operation and our customers. The next 6 months are based in our London Store Support Centre developing the skills you need for the role and completing a number of placements in product safety, packaging, depot inspection and health. A placement with one of our suppliers will help you to understand the business from their point of view. You will take ownership of a product area, where you will have a vital role in making decisions about what we sell. The final 2 months of the scheme will be spent in store, completing a a Product Technology-focused Retail project, helping you to see how your role affects our customers and colleagues.

You'll collaborate with our marketing and buying departments, ensuring that quality and safety remain high on every agenda. You'll ensure that we use the latest technologies and ingredients to produce the best products and attend product approval panels. This gives you a vital role in making decisions about what we sell.

What are we looking for?

Passion for food and satisfying customer needs is a must. A sharp eye for detail and a determination to see things through to the end are essential too; so are confidence, flexibility and willingness to learn. We will also require a minimum 2.2 or above in a food or science related degree.

What skills will you develop?

You'll gain insight into sustainability, food and the law and health and the environment, an invaluable understanding of Sainsbury's Technical Management System and develop business skills including presentation, time management, and negotiation and people influencing.

What are the benefits?

• £25k starting salary and excellent salary progression
• 22 days holiday
• 10% staff discount after six months
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Early responsibility for a product area
• Attendance at diverse courses from nutrition, to design, to animal welfare, to global sourcing, to product labelling and claims
• Variety - from travel to suppliers one day to meeting with packaging designers in Holborn the next

Sainsbury's are offering their future Product Technologists an exceptional start to their career in the food industry.

Click here to find out more about the Taste the World scheme