Food Manager

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

Job summary

A leading company in the retail sector is seeking a management professional to oversee in-store operations and team development. This role emphasizes leadership, customer service, and operational efficiency, offering a pathway to further career progression within the organization. With a focus on team dynamics and customer satisfaction, the position provides a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

Benefits

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

Free food and hot drinks for colleagues

Generous holiday entitlement

Matching 4-7% pension contributions

Wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in managing or supervising in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Motivated to develop and dedicated to helping others excel.

Responsibilities

• Support the Lead Food Manager in improving customer and retail outcomes.
• Manage a medium to large in-store team, assigning tasks and addressing performance issues.
• Drive training and foster a welcoming environment.

Skills

Leadership

Team Development

Customer Service

Operational Management

Tools

Digital Tools

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. It’s critical that grocery, fresh, and produce are always available and looking their best. Your leadership will deliver throughout the day, every day. Reporting to our Lead Food Manager, your role focuses on operational in-store management, ensuring your area runs smoothly daily.

There’s an emphasis on 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 environment where everyone feels safe to challenge the way things are done.

What success looks like

There’s a lot to achieve. Here’s how you’ll know you’re developing:

• You’re supporting the Lead Food Manager to improve customer and retail outcomes in your area.
• You work closely with another Food Manager, sharing ideas, identifying improvements, and providing a smooth handover between shifts.
• You’re confident in giving honest, early feedback to your team.
• You help your team understand the importance of customer service and take pride in delivering it.
• You’re making decisions quickly and are comfortable not knowing all the answers.

About you

We’re open-minded about your career path. You’re likely already managing or supervising in a fast-paced setting and are confident handling daily challenges – your team depends on you!

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

What matters most is you – motivated to develop, dedicated to helping others excel, and passionate about customer service. That’s the essence of our stores.

Where next?

The Sainsbury’s management structure is designed to support your progression. You’ll receive a clear induction, tailored training plans, and ongoing coaching to help you excel. With experience, you could move into roles like Lead Manager in Food, In-store Customer Experience, Clothing, or General Merchandise. Looking further ahead, 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 helping you realize 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 15% at Argos every payday.
• Free food and hot drinks for colleagues in all stores.
• Generous holiday entitlement, maternity, and paternity leave.
• Matching 4-7% pension contributions.
• Sainsbury’s share scheme for discounted investments.
• Wellbeing support, including emotional, legal, and financial advice.
• Colleague networks to connect with like-minded colleagues.
• Cycle to Work scheme for bike and equipment hire, with tax benefits.
• Special offers on gym memberships, holidays, retail vouchers, and more.

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