Try Before You Buy this Christmas

As we continue to grow we need more talented colleagues to become managers of the future. So if you’re interested in becoming a Department Manager and have a minimum of two A-levels (or equivalent) then why not apply for our 12-month Trainee Manager scheme as part of the Try Before You Buy campaign this Christmas.

This is a really exciting opportunity for colleagues working anywhere in our business to develop their career in Retail management - there are over 200 vacancies available around the country.

The Trainee Manager Scheme

Our 12-month Trainee Manager scheme will build your technical knowledge, and develop your leadership capabilities. By the end of the programme, you’ll be able to play a crucial role in improving our customer’s shopping experience – both by coaching and leading your team and delivering on departmental targets.

The scheme kicks off with a full induction about what lies ahead and your first few weeks will be spent getting to know your store.Your next step will be to experience the different operational departments from fresh foods, produce and dry goods to HR, customer services and commercial. You’ll also receive ongoing coaching throughout the programme, as well as more formal monthly reviews to keep you on track and tell you how you’re doing.

The rewards

The Trainee Manager scheme offers a salary of £17,500, together with all the support and development you need to progress your career as a Department Manager. You’ll also be able to enjoy all the benefits of working at Sainsbury’s including 10% discount (after six months service), 22 days' holiday and the opportunity to join the Sainsbury’s Staff Association.

How to apply

The initial application process is online.

First of all, you will need to choose the store in which you wish to commence the Trainee Manager scheme in. You can find your closest store with vacancies by entering your postcode on the website.

If you find that there aren’t stores in your area, please apply to the closest store and if you are successful in obtaining a place on the scheme we may be able to offer you a more suitable store to complete your training in. Please note that as your career progresses we do expect all managers to be mobile across the region that you work in.

Once you have selected your store, you can then begin your application which will involve:

• Question about your background to see how it matches the requirements of the scheme
• A short task which will put you in the shoes of a Trainee Manager and ask you how you would respond to different situations that you might find yourself in as a Trainee Manager
• Some questions which will show how you like to work
• For your basic information on your education and employment details, as well as why you have applied to the Trainee Manager scheme at Sainsbury’s.

You will receive feedback at each stage of the online process to let you know how close a match you are to the scheme.

If your online application is successful, you may be invited to attend an assessment centre taking place between the 14th – 30th January 2010.

The assessment centre will last for half a day, and include four exercises: an interview, a presentation, a group exercise and a role play.

What makes a great application?

• Make sure you’re sitting somewhere quiet where you can concentrate
• Answer the questions honestly – say what you would do rather than what you think you should do or what the Sainsbury’s process is
• Complete the whole application – don’t leave any questions unanswered
• When asked “Why have you applied for the Trainee Manager scheme at Sainsbury’s” answer this question as fully as possible. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your passion and motivation for joining the scheme.

And finally, check your spelling and punctuation at all times!

To begin your application please click here