Head of Data Engineering - Product & Plan for Better

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Head of Data Engineering - Product & Plan for Better, London

Client: Sainsburys

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Category: -

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Reference: 43f9ded1eab2

Job Views: 11

Posted: 26.04.2025

Expiry Date: 10.06.2025

Job Description:

About the Team

In Sainsbury’s Tech, we power the UK’s number 1 multi-channel, multi-brand retailer. Our engineering teams are made up of inspired and multidisciplined individuals who are empowered to solve hard problems in ways our customers love and serve the needs of our business.

The Head of Engineering is a critical leadership role, inspiring a team of experienced and talented Engineers (including Staff Engineers) and Delivery Managers. Alongside the SHoE, the HoE is a main driver of the tech vision; overseeing the development and delivery of the technology roadmap based on adopted strategies and visions. The roadmap is typically split into outcomes, requiring the HoE to coordinate multiple Engineering Managers / engineers into coherent squads.

The role demands a highly analytical approach and the ability to work effectively in a matrix environment. The HoE will coordinate the matrix, oversee engineering and delivery, and ensure high service levels to customers/consumers. Ultimately, the HoE influences culture and engineering capabilities to continue delivering value.

What Youll do

People Leadership:

• Provide inspiring, motivational leadership and create an environment for success.
• Lead the evolution of teams and stakeholders towards more agile ways of working, supporting cultural change, removing waste, and improving outcomes and value. Foster a culture of innovation and high standards.
• Build a strong talent pipeline and succession plans to attract, reward, and develop colleagues, knowing when to recruit and when to leverage third parties.
• Partner with the Director of Product to improve customer experience through solutions built internally and externally.
• Promote adherence to organizational software standards and key controls.

Strategy and Roadmaps:

• Own and develop the engineering North Star for Product & Plan for Better.
• Own the Integration Design Document and System Architecture Document.
• Understand the scope and impact of the existing roadmap based on the technology blueprint, especially for major transformation programs.
• Drive continuous improvement across all practices in the domain.

Engagement and Communication:

• Communicate clearly and convincingly with technology, business, and product leaders, engaging them throughout the product lifecycle.
• Develop a deep understanding of your domain, proactively identify technology opportunities, efficiencies, and delivery excellence.
• Maintain frictionless communication between your team and other parts of Sainsbury’s Tech.
• Support senior leadership in shaping transformation agendas, clarifying uncertainties, and understanding customer experience goals.

Delivery:

• Support the formation and delivery of diverse technology teams.
• Stay abreast of technological developments and assess their potential for your area or wider organization.
• Explain technical decisions, trade-offs, and risks convincingly.
• Ensure seamless release of products and platforms, supporting live service and resolving issues proactively.
• Manage the full lifecycle of products, including live support and issue resolution.
• Act as escalation manager as needed within the tech enterprise.

Governance, Planning, Financial and Supplier Management:

• Ensure operational plans are in place for key business events.
• Build relationships with senior leadership and manage vendor contracts, renewals, and negotiations.
• Lead procurement and vendor selection processes.
• Manage budgets, risks, and assurance through effective processes, collaborating with audit, InfoSec, and other teams.

Who you are

• Understand how technology benefits retail, focusing on delivering customer value and business outcomes quickly.
• Experience leading large delivery teams (around 50 or more) in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to influence strategy and plans across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Operate as a front-line technologist and leader, fostering a culture of customer-centricity and professionalism.
• Build external partnerships and oversee third-party delivery aligned with company priorities.
• Optimize team structure, ways of working, and culture for effective delivery.
• Make sound, sometimes complex decisions quickly, dealing effectively with ambiguity.
• Propose pragmatic solutions and gather support for the right approach.
• Passionate about technology, with experience in leading engineering teams and staying current with tech trends.
• Practice servant leadership, supporting teams to perform at their best and unblock issues.
• Results-oriented with a bias for action, making decisions based on evidence and data.

We offer a modern software engineering environment with opportunities across AI, reusable tech, and more. Our commitment to inclusion, development, and flexible working means a supportive workplace. Benefits include colleague discounts, pensions, life cover, performance bonuses, generous holiday allowances, and various wellbeing and family support schemes.

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