Wednesday, 7 January 2026 – Sainsbury’s has announced the launch of a new graduate programme, designed to support early career professionals in developing the essential skills all future retail leaders will need. The FutureMaker programme gives graduates the opportunity to spend two years at the heart of Sainsbury’s developing critical skills in four key areas, identified as the skills shaping the future of retail: digital and AI; data and analytics; change and transformation; and business decision making.
The three-part programme will run for 24 months, split into eight-month rotations within a chosen SSC specialism. Participants will then be able to apply for relevant roles within the business.
With nearly 50 roles available, this programme provides the opportunity to work on real projects with Sainsbury’s and Argos, two of Britain’s most-loved brands, and learn from industry experts who are passionate about making a difference in our communities. Roles will include buying, commercial operations, digital retail, merchandising, data science and analytics, food technology, logistics and fulfilment, supply chain, transformation, property and procurement, and product and innovation.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, “As a proud people-first business, our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. We’re committed to investing in early careers and have spent time identifying the skills our future leaders will need to help us build a sustainable retail talent pipeline. The FutureMaker programme will nurture critical skills in digital and AI; data and analytics; change and transformation; and business decision making. By opening accessible pathways for graduates, we’re investing in both our business growth and a more inclusive workforce, ensuring our teams reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.”
Those interested in shaping experiences that matter, growing within a supportive community and contributing to making every day more joyful, accessible and affordable for everyone are encouraged to apply.
Applications open on Friday, 9 January 2026. Further information and application details can be found on Sainsbury’s careers website: https://www.sainsburys.jobs/teams/early-careers.
The launch of FutureMaker will be followed by a broader range of early careers programmes across Sainsbury’s, continuing to build on the retailer’s focus on talent development and attraction.
ENDS
Offering delicious great quality food at competitive prices has been at the heart of what we do since John James and Mary Ann Sainsbury opened our first store in 1869. Today, inspiring and delighting our customers with tasty food remains our priority and our purpose is clear – we make good food joyful, accessible and affordable for everyone, every day.
Our focus on great value food and convenient shopping, whether in-store or online is supported by our brands – Argos, Nectar, Tu Clothing, Habitat, Sainsbury’s Bank and Smart Charge. Sainsbury’s has almost 600 supermarkets and over 800 convenience stores. Argos is a leading digital retailer and is the third most visited retail website in the UK, with over 70 per cent of its sales starting online. Argos is conveniently available for customers to collect from hundreds of Sainsbury’s stores. Digital and technology enables us to adapt as customers shop differently and our profitable, fast-growing online channels offer customers quick and convenient delivery and collection capability.