Sainsburys: proposes changes to remove 1,500 roles

London / UK. (js) British J. Sainsbury PLC outlined proposals to adapt the business as part of the «Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy» announced earlier this month. They include simplifying Sainsbury’s Store Support Centre structure, creating more efficient Contact Centre operations, consolidating its general merchandise fulfilment network and improving the bakery offer and availability in some stores.

It is expected that the proposals, part of its «Save and invest to win» programme, will result in the reduction of around 1,500 roles across the business, with plans still subject to consultation. The savings created will be invested back into the business to deliver on its «Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy», giving customers more of what they come to Sainsbury’s for – great value, quality and service.

Sainsbury’s has proposed a simpler structure for some teams at its Store Support Centre. To ensure it has the right expert support to deliver its new strategy and streamline some senior leadership structures, changes have been proposed to teams including Retail, Transformation, HR, Supply Chain and Logistics.

(Photo: J. Sainsbury PLC)

The retailer has continued to look at where it can work more effectively with third party partners and has proposed to colleagues in its Widnes contact centre now that all its Careline services will now be run through an existing partner. The vast majority of colleagues affected will transfer to its service partner, which is a major employer and offers a range of career and redeployment opportunities.

Leading the market on freshly baked goods is an important part of the retailer’s aim to become First Choice for Food. Sainsbury’s has already started a programme to move stores to a more efficient way of freshly baking products in-store and has outlined plans to move more stores to this model, providing more customers with products which are consistently great quality and with availability throughout the day. As a result, the supermarket will be conducting a consultancy process with bakers in these stores. Sainsbury’s has reassured affected colleagues that it will find alternative roles for them where possible, as it will for any colleague affected by changes now.

To continue at pace with the consolidation and optimisation of its general merchandise distribution network, Sainsbury’s is speaking to colleagues about proposals to change how and where it moves stock in some locations. The changes, including further investment in technology and automation, mean the retailer will need fewer Local Fulfilment Centres. The very small proportion of colleagues who are affected are being supported through redeployment to other roles in the business where possible. Sainsbury’s has plans to open more sites in other parts of the country this year, so nationally the retailer will have more sites and create more jobs overall.

Chief Executive Simon Roberts: «Our strategy is about giving customers more of what they come to Sainsbury’s for – outstanding value, unbeatable quality food and great service. One of the ways we’re going to deliver on this promise is through our Save and Invest to Win programme. As we move into the next phase of our strategy, we are making some difficult, but necessary decisions. The proposals we’ve been talking to teams about now are important to ensure we’re better set up to focus on the things that create a real impact for our customers, delivering good food for all of us and building a platform for growth. I know this news is unsettling for affected colleagues and we will do everything we can to support them.»