Solution Design Manager (Logistics Automation)
Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: London Store Support Centre and Home, London, EC1M 6HA
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Logistics
Closing date: 15 January 2026
Requisition ID: 400045153
Why join us
Joining Sainsbury's as a Solution Design Manager means being at the forefront of innovation and transformation in the Logistics / Network & Automation division. As part of a collaborative team, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of logistics and fulfilment solutions, leveraging cutting-edge automation technologies to drive operational excellence and efficiency.
With a focus on continuous improvement and staying abreast of industry best practises, you will be empowered to make a real impact by designing and implementing solutions that enhance our supply chain capabilities while fostering relationships with stakeholders and industry experts. At Sainsbury's, you will have the chance to showcase your expertise, drive change, and contribute to the success of a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation.
What you'll do
Here your primary accountability will be to gather data, metrics, and requirements to develop and agree on the operational design, processes, assets, and systems requirements for logistics and fulfilment solutions. Working closely with various stakeholders, you will support the development of future network designs based on business goals, create conceptual designs utilising key data points, develop automation solutions and standards, and identify ways to drive continuous improvement within distribution centres to reduce cost to serve.
Your role will involve creating RFPs for automation problem statements, designing processes and layouts for optimal flow and safety, developing relationships with industry experts and OEMs, and ensuring the correct application of technical standards while bringing new ideas and innovation to solve complex supply chain challenges. Through regular reviews of existing automation and challenges, you will seek opportunities for implementing new technologies and enhancing operational efficiency.
Who you are
As a Solution Design Manager for Sainsbury's Logistics / Network & Automation division, you are a forward-thinking and results-driven professional with a strong background in automation solution design and logistics operations. Your expertise in gathering data, metrics, and requirements to develop operational designs aligns with your ability to drive continuous improvement and create world-class automation solutions to support the capital plan. With excellent communication skills and a focus on stakeholder engagement, you excel in creating productive relationships with colleagues, industry experts, and OEMs to solve complex supply chain challenges and drive innovation within the distribution centres.
Essential Skills Needed
- Curious, improvement-focused, and up to date with industry best practices in automation and logistics.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas clearly.
- Experience working in large, cross-functional organisations using project management tools and methods.
- Strong working knowledge of logistics network structure, operations, and end-to-end supply chain.
- Experience of automation solution design, delivery and writing specifications
- Proficient in AutoCAD and other systems such as SketchUp or Inventor
- Understanding of health & safety standards and specifications to deliver quality automation systems
Desirable
- Academic qualifications in industrial or mechanical engineering
- Proficient in excel and large data analysis
- Prince 2 or PMP qualified
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We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever 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 colleague discount, you'll be able to save 10% on your shopping online and instore at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU and Habitat, and we regularly increase the discount to 15% at points during the year. We've also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You'll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 20% of salary, depending on how we perform. Your wellbeing is important to us too. You'll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy up to an additional week's holiday, and we provide private healthcare. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, interest free car loan of up to £10k, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, salary advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. And if you ever need it there is also an Employee Assistance Programme. 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).
