11 September 2006 | Paul Snell

Sainsbury's has appointed former Tesco supply chain director Neil Sachdev as its commercial director.

Sachdev's career with Tesco has spanned 28 years. Since January 2000 he has been stores board director UK with the firm. Sainsbury's told supplymanagement.com that Sachdev is now on gardening leave until he takes up the new role with them in March 2007. His brief will initially focus on procurement.

Sainsbury's was unable to provide supplymanagement.com with a detailed breakdown of Sachdev's responsibilities but confirmed he will be a member of the company's new senior leadership team. He will also join the retail board, which is responsible for managing supply chain operations, service and availability and stores.

Sachdev already sits on the board of the Institute of Grocery Distribution.

Mike Coupe, trading director at Sainsbury's, said in a statement: "We are delighted to have secured somebody of Neil's calibre. His excellent retail experience and strong understanding of our market will be a great asset."

In August 2005 Sainsbury's appointed Roger Burnley, previously the supply chain director at Matalan, to the operating board as supply chain director.

SMsep2006