Food Manager

TN United Kingdom; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food retail sector is seeking a Food Manager to oversee store operations and team management. This role focuses on enhancing customer service and ensuring high food quality standards. The successful candidate will have opportunities for career progression within the organization, supported by tailored training and development plans.

Benefits

10% discount at Sainsbury’s and Argos

Free food and drinks for colleagues

Generous holiday, maternity, and paternity leave

Pension scheme with matching contributions

Wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts on gym memberships and holidays

Qualifications

• Experience managing or supervising in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for technology and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Manage a medium to large team, ensuring smooth daily operations.
• Support the Lead Food Manager to improve customer outcomes.
• Train and foster an inclusive environment.

Skills

Leadership

People Skills

Customer Service

Motivation

Tools

Digital Solutions

Job description

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You’re ambitious for more leadership responsibility. Maybe one day, you’d like to run your own store or take on a bigger role in the future. First, focus on developing your people skills—building a team that delivers when needed.

This is a well-balanced management role with clear accountability. You’ll understand expectations and know who to turn to for support. Whether you have supervisory experience or are ready to step up, it’s a great opportunity to grow your skills and connect with your team.

What you’ll be doing

Our purpose is driven by our passion for food—we serve and help every customer.

Food quality sets the standard for the store. Ensuring grocery, fresh, and produce are always available and looking their best is key to customer loyalty. Your leadership will ensure smooth operations daily. Reporting to the Lead Food Manager, your focus is on in-store management, maintaining efficient store functions.

You’ll manage a medium to large team—assigning tasks, planning breaks, creating rotas, addressing performance issues sensitively, and assisting with recruitment. You’ll be a visible leader on the shop floor, a role model who trains and fosters an inclusive, safe environment where colleagues can challenge the status quo.

What success looks like

Here’s how you’ll know you’re progressing:

• Supporting the Lead Food Manager to improve customer and retail outcomes
• Collaborating with another Food Manager to share ideas and ensure seamless shift handovers
• Providing honest, early feedback to your team
• Helping your team empathize with customers, enhancing service quality
• Making decisions confidently and at pace, even with incomplete information

About you

We’re open-minded about your career path. You’re likely already managing or supervising in a fast-paced environment and can handle daily challenges—your team depends on you!

You should have a passion for technology, as we embrace digital solutions—from stock management to scheduling.

What matters most is your motivation to develop, your dedication to empowering others, and your passion for customer service—core to our store’s success.

Where next?

Our management structure is designed to help you progress. You’ll receive a tailored induction and training plan, supported by your manager, to help you excel and develop your skills.

As a Food Manager, you can advance into roles such as Lead Manager in Food, In-store Customer Experience, Clothing, or General Merchandise. Long-term, this experience prepares you for Store Management or leadership roles across Sainsbury’s family brands: Habitat, Tu, Argos, Sainsbury’s Bank, and Nectar 360. We’re committed to unlocking your potential.

Added benefits

Salary depends on your experience, store size, complexity, and location. We also offer a range of benefits, including:

• 10% discount at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu, and Habitat after four weeks, increasing to 15% at Sainsbury’s on Fridays and Saturdays, and at Argos every pay day
• Free food and drinks for colleagues
• Generous holiday, maternity, and paternity leave
• Pension scheme with 4-7.5% matching contributions
• Sainsbury’s share scheme for investment at discounted rates
• Wellbeing support including counseling and legal advice
• Colleague networks for personal development
• Cycle to Work scheme for bikes and accessories
• Discounts on gym memberships, holidays, retail vouchers, and more

Click ‘apply’ to start your Sainsbury’s journey.