Position Summary:
We’re a diverse team that’s passionate about products, about doing the right thing, and making things better for our customers and for our amazing environment. We work with a wide range of stakeholders across the business and externally to ensure that our products are ethically sourced and of the highest quality for our customers to fall in love with. The activities we complete feed directly into some of Sainsbury’s most important commitments, such as Net Zero and Win in Food.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify and implement positive changes within the supply and grower base – strategic development of the existing supply base or establishing a different structure and ways of working for new suppliers and growers
- Lead a large team of Produce experts as well as leading In Country Produce Specialists.
- Exploit your existing industry links and network to bring new insights for the Produce sector which includes Floristry and Horticulture
- Lead the delivery of compliance and due diligence across Sainsbury’s Basic Produce, Prepared Produce and Horticulture
- Development, management, and prioritisation of key delivery goals both operationally from a KPI perspective and support the delivery of Net Zero
- Lead the team to manage a global supply base optimising value chain expertise to deliver competitive advantage and continuous improvement
- Play an active role in the Category leadership team to deliver Sainsbury’s category plans.
- Assure safety and legal compliance of all products within the context of ever-changing EU and UK legislation and technical standards specific to the category.
Required Education & Experience:
- Previous experience of technical leadership in the Produce sector is essential
- Understands Food Safety and ethical risks in the sector, including the key microbiological challenges in Prepared Produce
- Have a good understanding of Agronomy and Crop production methods that impact quality and efficiency
- A detailed understanding of complex value chains to maximise opportunities to provide our customers the best quality
- Thorough understanding of current and future issues that this sector faces globally
- Experience of working cross-functionally to deliver category-wide projects
- Experienced in leading a high performing team of industry experts focused on delivering business needs in the Produce sector
- Sound analytical thinking and judgment
- Understands the Produce industry and the key centres of excellence that enable the delivery of Technical Innovation in sector