Team Manager

John Lewis Partnership; Bedford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Night Premium

Flexible working

Job summary

John Lewis Partnership in Ampthill is seeking a Team Manager for one of our Waitrose shops. You will influence and motivate your team to deliver outstanding Partner-led customer service distinctively Waitrose, while driving sales and profit.

Role includes leading the day-to-day operations, managing holidays and absences, and delivering change across the shop. Night Premium applies for eligible hours; 37.5 hours weekly, temporary contract.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Ability to build high-performing teams and coach performance conversations.
• Passion for retail and understanding of the Partnership context.
• Ability to plan workload and adapt to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day shop operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Maximise sales and minimise wastage through commercial skills.
• Maintain high availability and compliant store operations.
• Lead and manage the team, including holidays and absences.

Skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Retail operations

People management

Communication

Job description

Team Manager John Lewis Partnership Ampthill

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Team Manager in one of our Waitrose shops, you'll influence and motivate your team and be a positive role model for delivering outstanding Partner-led, customer service that is distinctively Waitrose, passionate Partners serving food lovers. Your strong leadership and team working skills will make all the difference to your team and, ultimately, the impression our customers have about the Waitrose brand. Keeping them returning again and again by earning their trust and loyalty for a lifetime, whilst helping to maximise sales and profit.

In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

Due to the nature of this role, applicants must be 18 years or over to apply.

Key Responsibilities

It’s fast paced and at times you'll oversee the entire day-to-day operation of the shop.

• Using your commercial skills to maximise sales and profit while minimising wastage.
• Ensuring consistently high levels of availability and merchandising as well as delivering an efficient, legal, and secure store operation.
• Improving and maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Using your people skills to manage your team, from leading and inspiring to people related tasks like organising holidays and managing absences.
• Create a supportive culture of care, belonging, pace and productivity.
• Engage and lead partners in delivering and embedding change consistently and effectively within your shop.

Essential skills/experience you'll need

• Experience of leading a team with a proven track record in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Ability to build high-performing teams, recognise talent, and hold regular, honest performance conversations.
• A passion for retail, understanding competitors and the economic factors impacting the Partnership.
• Ability to assess workload realistically and adapt plans to ensure deadlines are hit and stakeholder relationships are maintained.
• Ability to communicate with clarity and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Experience with Disciplinary & Grievance processes.
• Hiring Manager/ Recruitment experience.
• Food Hygiene Level 3.
• Personal licence holder.
• Experience in regulatory compliance management.

Closing Date

August 19, 2026

Contract Type

Temporary

Hours of Work

37.5 hours a week on various shifts to include late nights, early Mornings and weekends

Where You'll Be Working

Ampthill (Waitrose & Partners), 25 Bedford Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2LU

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food‑lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note:

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.

Full‑time