Hospitality, Supermarket Assistant

Waitrose & Partners; New Forest; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK supermarket is seeking a Partner on their service counters to showcase food knowledge and build customer relationships. This role involves maintaining high food presentation standards, monitoring stock availability, and adhering to health and safety protocols. Effective communication is essential, along with a passion for food. Flexibility and a customer-focused approach are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or over to apply.
• Experience in a customer-facing role is desirable.
• Knowledge of current food and drink trends is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for your food counter, maintaining high standards.
• Monitor stock levels to ensure availability of popular products.
• Handle open food with care, reducing food wastage.
• Stay informed about new products and food values.
• Support the shop team with general tasks when needed.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Job description

About the role

As a Partner on our service counters, you'll have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and passion for food, emphasizing ethical sourcing and recipe recommendations to customers. You'll embody our ethos of passionate Partners serving food lovers, using your enthusiasm and friendliness to build lasting customer relationships. Your efforts will influence customers' impressions of the Waitrose brand, fostering trust and loyalty, while helping to maximize sales and profit.

Due to working time regulations, applicants must be 18 years or over to apply.

In addition to the stated pay, a shift premium will be paid for hours worked between 22:00 and 06:00, at the role's minimum pay rate.

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for your food counter, maintaining high presentation and hygiene standards.
• Monitor stock levels to ensure popular products are available.
• Handle open food with care, following all health & safety protocols, and help reduce food wastage.
• Stay informed about new products and understand Waitrose's food values, such as animal welfare.
• Support the wider shop team with general shopkeeping tasks when needed.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Effective communication skills to work well with team members and customers.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience in a customer-facing role.
• Experience in catering or hospitality.
• Knowledge of current food and drink trends.
• Flexible approach to support the entire branch.

About The Partnership

We're the UK's largest employee-owned business, home to John Lewis and Waitrose. As Partners, we share ownership and responsibility, working together with kindness and respect to succeed and create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We are committed to innovation, value, and serving our customers passionately.

Joining us means being part of a community that values your voice, supports your growth, and believes in making a positive difference.

Important Points

Some roles may require pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks and financial probity assessments. Applicants will be informed during recruitment and encouraged to complete necessary documentation promptly.

We recommend applying early as vacancies may close once filled due to high interest.

We support flexible working arrangements, including flexible or compressed hours, job sharing, or shorter contracts. Discuss these options with the hiring manager during your interview.