Head of Innovation Non Food

Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading supermarket chain in London is seeking a Head of Category Innovation - Non Food. This role involves leading teams to identify innovative products and strategies, driving commercial growth. Candidates should have extensive experience in product development, a strategic approach, and strong leadership skills. The opportunity offers a dynamic environment with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation culture, alongside competitive benefits including a performance-related bonus and discount on products.

Benefits

10% discount after 4 weeks, increasing to 15% on weekends

Performance-related bonus up to 65%

Private healthcare eligibility

Pension scheme and life cover

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in product development and innovation within the retail or food industry.
• Proven track record of leading and coaching high-performing teams.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills with experience in influencing stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team responsible for identifying new trends and launching innovation.
• Develop strategic product plans for Health, Beauty & Wellness, and Household categories.
• Champion a customer-led innovation culture with focus on quality and continuous improvement.

Skills

Product Development

Innovation Leadership

Team Management

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Strategic Planning

Analytical Skills

Job description

Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: London Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1M 6HA
Contract type: Fixed-Term Assignment
Business area: Food Commercial
Closing date: 25 January 2026
Requisition ID: 400045626

We’d all like amazing work to do, and real work-life balance. That’s waiting for you at Sainsbury’s. Here, everything in our Sainsbury’s stores starts out in Sainsbury’s Commercial. Whether it’s the product, proposition, packaging or price, or the fact that something tastes great, our team is responsible for all food, non- food and Clothing items available in Sainsbury’s stores, digitally and on demand. You’ll discover it’s incredibly fast‑paced. People here are in it together and not afraid to take risks. They’re enthusiastic too, and their amazing leadership team is right behind them. The knowledge and experience you gain here could set you up for career moves anywhere else in the business. So, if you’re passionate about your products and just as hungry to learn, you’ll fit in perfectly.

Joining Sainsbury's as the Head of Category Innovation - Non Food means being at the forefront of identifying and launching innovative products that resonate with our customers while driving commercial growth. In this role, you will lead a high‑performing team, collaborate with cross‑functional stakeholders, and champion a customer‑led innovation culture. With a focus on driving quality measures, fostering an innovation and high‑performance culture, and optimising processes, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact and drive continuous improvement within a dynamic and supportive environment.

What you’ll do

As the Head of Category Innovation - Non Food at Sainsbury's, you will lead a team responsible for identifying new trends and opportunities to launch innovation that resonates with our customers. Working closely with the Director of Innovation and cross‑functional category leadership, you will develop strategic product plans specific to your category areas – Health, Beauty & Wellness and Household and Baby & Pet, driving the innovation and renovation strategy for commercial growth. By leveraging market trends and customer insights, you will identify innovation and renovation opportunities for our Own Brands, overseeing projects from concept to launch while championing a customer‑led innovation culture. Your role will involve developing a high‑performing team of product development experts and driving a quality focus across the business to deliver continuous value improvement through customer and commercial objectives.

Who you are

You are an accomplished leader with extensive experience in product development and innovation within the retail or food industry. With a strategic and analytical approach, you excel in driving cross‑functional collaboration and influencing internal stakeholders to align on innovative product plans that deliver commercial success. Your strong communication skills, motivational leadership attributes, and commitment to continuous personal development enable you to inspire and lead a high‑performing team, while ruthlessly prioritising and planning activities to achieve business objectives.

• Non Food Own brand Product Development or Innovation leadership experience in Retail, FMCG or Manufacturing
• A proven track record of leading and coaching high‑performing teams, nurturing talent and fostering an environment where individuals are empowered to reach their full potential.
• Strong strategic and analytical, with a track record of driving cross‑functional collaboration and influencing stakeholders
• Excellent communication and motivational leadership abilities, with a commitment to continuous personal development
• Ability to prioritise, plan, and deliver commercial success through customer‑led innovation and high‑performance team management

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so you’ll be welcomed whatever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new - whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits.

Here are some of them:

• Starting off with a colleague discount, you’ll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day.
• A pensions scheme and life cover to help you with your future.
• Performance‑related bonus of up to 65% of salary, depending on how we perform (in cash and shares).
• Annual holiday allowance, ability to buy additional holiday.
• Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance, discounts from hundreds of retailers.
• Company car cash allowance unless you are travelling 10,000 business miles in your role, then you may choose a car.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Private healthcare eligibility.

Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks’ pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ pay for paternity leave.

Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).