General Merchandise Manager

Sainsbury’s Group; Orpington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is seeking a General Merchandise Manager in Orpington to oversee the management of non-food products, ensuring exceptional presentation and operational efficiency. This includes leading a team, managing performance, and occasionally taking overall responsibility for store operations. Ideal candidates will have prior line management experience and a strong focus on customer service, with opportunities for career advancement and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

10% discount card

Annual bonus scheme

Free food and hot drinks

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension matching contributions

Share scheme opportunities

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Previous line management responsibilities in a fast-paced, operational environment.
• Ability to coach a team to focus on customer service.
• Demonstrated success in delivering performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Manage non-food product assortment and presentation.
• Ensure smooth daily operations from shop floor to warehouse.
• Lead people management, including disciplinaries and performance evaluation.

Skills

People management

Customer service focus

Operational leadership

Performance management

Job description

Overview

Taking responsibility for the management of all our non-food products ensuring they are presented fantastically to delight our customers. Ensure your area runs smoothly every day from the shop floor to the warehouse. People management is a big part of the role, managing performance and capability, conducting disciplinaries and ensuring scheduling and pay are accurate. At times you may assume overall responsibility for running the store, making sure that all colleagues are given direction and support to deliver for the customer.

Responsibilities

• Manage non-food product assortment and presentation to meet customer needs and drive sales.
• Ensure smooth daily operations from shop floor to warehouse operations.
• Lead people management: performance and capability, disciplinaries, scheduling and pay accuracy.
• Take overall responsibility for store operations when required, providing direction and support to colleagues to serve customers effectively.

What makes a great general merchandise manager

• Previous line management responsibilities in a fast-paced, operational environment.
• Someone who is truly obsessed with customers and service, and coaches a team to do the same.
• Delivers KPIs or other performance indicators.
• Can manage disciplinaries, performance issues or other similar employee relations issues.
• Leads operations and is comfortable doing this alone in the absence of more senior management.

Inclusion and development

An inclusive place to work and shop: We are dedicated to being a truly inclusive retailer, where every colleague can achieve their full potential and every customer feels welcome when they shop with us. We provide resources to help colleagues understand and support their role and their team effectively. Our internal colleague networks seek to ensure true representation for everyone, helping identify and remove barriers. We offer development opportunities, including mentorship, training, and career progression pathways, to help colleagues grow and succeed. We celebrate diversity through initiatives and events, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. If you would like to learn more about our commitment to inclusivity, please take a look. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages, please let us know, and we will endeavour to support you.

About Us

Sainsbury's company vision: Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer, where people love to work and shop. That means harnessing the talent, creativity and diversity of our colleagues to ensure that customers receive great service every time they shop with us. To hear more about our vision and values, visit our corporate page. We invest in training, development and initiatives to enable our teams to offer the best shopping experience to our customers and to be a true ‘Great Place to Work’.

About the Team

We’re in the business of looking after our biggest asset—our people. Our HR teams focus on the potential and wellbeing of our teams, creating environments that allow colleagues to thrive. From Reward and Recruitment to Change and Talent, our colleagues play a pivotal role in delivering great service and a positive workplace culture.

Benefits

• Discount card – 10% discount off shopping at Sainsbury's, Argos, Tu and Habitat after four weeks; increases to 15% at Sainsbury's every Friday and Saturday and 15% at Argos every pay day.
• Annual bonus scheme based on performance.
• Free food and hot drinks provided for colleagues in stores.
• Generous holiday entitlement, maternity and paternity leave.
• Pension – employer contributions matched 4-7.5%.
• Sainsbury's share scheme – investment opportunities at discounted rates.
• Wellbeing support – emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice.
• Colleague networks – networking to help fulfil potential.
• Cycle to Work scheme – hire a bike and equipment with tax and NI savings.
• Special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more.