Manager- Lead Generative AI Engineer

Sainsbury’s Group; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Birmingham is looking for a Lead General Merchandise Manager to direct a team focusing on all non-food products, including TU and Habitat brands. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in retail management, a drive for customer excellence, and a proven ability to lead change. Responsibilities include store accountability, team management, and stock oversight. This role promises a rewarding environment where you can grow and excel in your leadership journey.

Benefits

10% discount card

Annual bonus scheme

Free food and hot drinks

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension matching

Colleague networks

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in managing large teams within a retail environment.
• A proven track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Ability to manage sensitive employee relations issues.

Responsibilities

• Directing a team of managers for non-food products.
• Accountability for store operations in the absence of the store manager.
• Managing stock in the in-store warehouse.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Data interpretation

Customer focus

Inclusivity

Job description

Overview

Leading in our stores: Our management teams don't just run stores - they're the driving force behind our business. With bold leadership, a passion for service and an eye for opportunity, they empower teams to raise the bar every single day for our customers. Whether it's product availability, safety standards, or delivering seamless daily operations, they're hands‑on, sleeves‑rolled‑up changemakers. And the impact? Work becomes more rewarding for our colleagues, and shopping becomes a next‑level experience for every customer who walks through our doors. This is how we bring our purpose to life, one powerful action at a time.

What you'll be doing

• Direct a small team of managers to showcase all our non‑food products from homeware to beauty, including our fantastic TU and Habitat brands.
• Planning for upcoming key trading activity by working closely with the rest of the store leadership team.
• Regularly taking full accountability for the store in the absence of a store manager (role modelling and coaching for high standards and efficiency across the store).
• Ensuring correct management of stock in our in‑store warehouse.
• People management: managing performance and capability, conducting disciplinaries, and ensuring scheduling and pay are accurate.

What makes a great Lead General Merchandise Manager

• A passionate leader who is consistently ambitious for their customers and colleagues, every day, growing their team to do the same.
• Experience of managing managers in a fast‑paced, customer‑facing environment – preferably in a retail merchandising setting.
• An operator who is comfortable managing alone in the absence of more senior management.
• Driven to deliver high performance with a focus on efficiency and engagement.
• Confident in the use of data, and understanding and interpreting KPIs or other performance indicators, and has experience of improving these.
• Puts inclusivity at the heart of what they do and uses it to build an inclusive team and working environment.
• Can manage disciplinaries, performance issues or other similar employee relations issues (up to dismissal).

Essential Criteria

• Experience leading large teams in a fast‑paced, customer‑focused environment – having developed leaders, built high‑performing teams, and created a culture of ownership and accountability.
• A track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences across complex operations, with evidence of delivering these through your team.
• Proven success in delivering and improving KPIs – from sales and stock availability to customer satisfaction and colleague engagement.
• Experience managing sensitive and complex people matters, including performance, absence, and formal employee relations cases, with confidence, fairness, and sound judgement.
• Leadership experience in an operational environment – whether in retail, hospitality, or food service – where you've owned departmental performance and confidently led the store in the absence of senior leadership.
• Evidence of leading change – whether rolling out new ways of working, embedding new systems, or shifting team mindsets, you've brought people with you and made change stick.

Salary and benefits

Salary will be dependent upon your experience as well as the store size, complexity and location.

Benefits include

• Discount card – 10 % discount off on your shopping at Sainsbury's, Argos, Tu and Habitat after four weeks (increases to 15 % on Fridays and Saturdays and 15 % on Argos pay days).
• Annual bonus scheme based on our and your performance.
• Free food and hot drinks provided for colleagues in all our stores.
• Generous holiday entitlement, maternity and paternity leave.
• Pension – we'll match 4‑7.5 % of your pension contributions.
• Sainsbury's share scheme – build up an investment at discounted rates.
• Wellbeing support – access to emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice.
• Colleague networks – link with like‑minded people to help fulfil your potential.
• Cycle to Work scheme – opportunity to hire a new bike and cycling equipment, whilst saving on tax and NI.
• Special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more.

Commitment to inclusion

We are dedicated to being a truly inclusive retailer, where every colleague can achieve their full potential and every customer feels welcome when they shop with us. To support this commitment, our colleagues may be entitled to a range of enhanced discretionary leave for families, as well as support for carers. We provide our colleagues resources to help them understand and support their role and their team effectively. Our internal colleague networks seek to ensure true representation for everyone, helping us identify and remove barriers that our colleagues may face. We are proud to offer a range of development opportunities, including mentorship, training, and career progression pathways, to help our colleagues grow and succeed. We also celebrate diversity through various initiatives, events, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. If you would like to learn more about our commitment to inclusivity, please take a look here.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages, please let us know, and we will endeavour to support you.