Food Manager

TN United Kingdom; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is seeking an ambitious individual for a management role in their store. This position focuses on team development and operational management, ensuring high standards in customer service and store presentation. The role offers clear progression opportunities and a range of employee benefits, including discounts and wellbeing support.

Benefits

10% discount at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu, and Habitat

Free food and hot drinks in all stores

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Motivated to develop and support others.
• Passionate about customer service.

Responsibilities

• Manage a medium to large in-store team.
• Ensure operational management runs smoothly.
• Support the Lead Food Manager in achieving retail outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Customer Service

Team Management

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, you want to focus on your people development skills – crafting a team that delivers what you need, when you need it.

This is a well-balanced management role with clear accountability – you’ll understand exactly what’s expected of you and who to turn to for support. Whether you already have some supervisory experience or you’re looking to make the step up, it’s the perfect chance to get close to your team and grow your skills.

What you’ll be doing

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

Food sets the standard for the rest of the store – getting it right means our customers choose to return again and again, so it’s critical that grocery, fresh, and produce are always available and looking their best. Your leadership will ensure this throughout the day, every day. Reporting to our Lead Food Manager, your role focuses on operational in-store management, ensuring your area runs smoothly day in and day out.

Key responsibilities include managing a medium to large in-store team – assigning tasks, planning breaks, creating rotas, addressing performance issues sensitively and effectively, and assisting with recruitment. You’ll be a visible leader on the shop floor, a role model who drives training and fosters a welcoming, safe environment where colleagues feel comfortable challenging the status quo.

What success looks like

You’ll know you’re developing when you:

• Support the Lead Food Manager to deliver improved customer and retail outcomes in your area
• Collaborate closely with another Food Manager, sharing ideas and identifying improvements, ensuring a seamless shift handover
• Communicate directly with your team, providing honest feedback early and often
• Help your team empathize with customers, taking pride in delivering better service
• Make decisions confidently and at pace, even when not all answers are known

About you

We’re open-minded about your career trajectory. You likely already manage or supervise people in a fast-paced setting, handling various challenges daily – your team depends on you!

You should share Sainsbury’s love of technology, as we leverage digital tools for stock management, rotas, and more.

Most importantly, you are motivated to develop, dedicated to supporting others, and passionate about customer service – the core of our stores’ success.

Where next?

The Sainsbury’s in-store management structure is designed to support your progression, providing clear induction, tailored training plans, and ongoing coaching. This prepares you for future roles such as Lead Manager in Food, In-store Customer Experience, Clothing, or General Merchandise, and eventually for Store Management or leadership roles across the Sainsbury’s family, including Habitat, Tu, Argos, Sainsbury’s Bank, and Nectar 360. We are committed to helping you reach your potential.

Added benefits

Salary depends on 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% on Fridays and Saturdays at Sainsbury’s and at Argos on pay days
• Free food and hot drinks in all stores
• Generous holiday entitlement, maternity, and paternity leave
• Pension scheme with 4-7% employer contributions
• Sainsbury’s share scheme for investment at discounted rates
• Wellbeing support, including emotional, legal, and financial advice
• Colleague networks for professional growth
• Cycle to Work scheme for bikes and equipment
• Special offers on gym memberships, holidays, retail vouchers, and more

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