At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist customers, manage stock, and support online orders in a vibrant supermarket environment.
- Company: Join Waitrose, the UK's largest employee-owned business, dedicated to quality and service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, shift premiums, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values kindness, respect, and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+, with good communication skills; customer service experience is a plus.
- Other info: Apply early as vacancies may close quickly; pre-employment vetting may be required.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Supermarket Assistant, you\βll help our difference be felt by our customers on every visit, providing the Partner-led service and passion for food that our competitors can\βt compete with β passionate Partners serving food lovers!
Your drive to go the extra mile will make all the difference to the impression our customers have about the Waitrose brand and keep them returning again and again by earning their trust and loyalty for a lifetime.
Due to working time regulations, applicants must be 18 years or over to apply.
In addition to the pay stated, you will receive a shift premium for hours worked between 22:00 and 06:00. This will be paid at the pay range minimum rate for your role.
Key Responsibilities
Alongside the great service you provide to our customers, your role will involve a variety of shop-keeping related tasks to keep the operation running efficiently and productively. Responsibilities include:
β Stock replenishment β ensuring our shelves remain as full as possible and products are in the right place at the right time for our customers.
β Fulfilling online customer orders ready for our drivers to deliver their shopping direct to their doors.
β Reducing wastage by following product due diligence and markdowns to those reaching their sell by dates.
β Working with the wider shop team to support when needed including; checkout support, managing Click & Collect orders, fulfilling on-demand customer orders and more.
β Maintain a safe and tidy working environment with general shopkeeping tasks.
Essential skills/experience you\βll need
β Communication skills to enable you to work effectively as part of a team and with our customers.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
β Experience of working in a customer facing role is welcomed.
β Up to date knowledge and strong interest in food and drink trends.
β Flexible approach to ensure the support of the whole branch.
To learn more about this role, please copy and paste this link into a new browser window: Date:
August 13, 2025
Pay:
Β£12.40 Hourly
Contract Type:
Temporary
Hours of Work:
Varied hours of part time work (12 hours) across seven days including weekends between the hours of 04:00 β 09:00.
Job Level:
Partnership Level 10
Where You\βll Be Working:
Ponteland (Waitrose & Partners), 27 Main Street, Ponteland, Northumberland, NE20 9NH
ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
We\βre the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We\βre not just employees, we\βre Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there\βs never been a more exciting time to join us.
We\βre 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\βre 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\βs 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\βll 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.
Supermarket Assistant employer: John Lewis Partnership Plc
Contact Detail:
John Lewis Partnership Plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Supermarket Assistant
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Waitrose brand and its values. Understanding their commitment to quality and customer service will help you align your responses during any interviews or conversations with hiring managers.
β¨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for food and drink trends. Being knowledgeable about current trends can set you apart from other candidates, so be prepared to discuss your interests in this area.
β¨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your teamwork skills. Since the role involves working closely with others, think of examples from past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with a team to achieve a common goal.
β¨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your flexibility and willingness to support various tasks. Highlighting your adaptability can show that you're a great fit for the dynamic environment at Waitrose.
We think you need these skills to ace Supermarket Assistant
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in customer-facing roles. Emphasise any skills related to communication and teamwork, as these are essential for the Supermarket Assistant position.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and customer service. Mention specific examples of how you've gone the extra mile in previous roles to create a positive customer experience.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your communication skills and any experience you have with stock management or fulfilling orders. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the role effectively.
Show Enthusiasm for the Brand: Express your enthusiasm for Waitrose and its values in your application. Mention why you want to be part of a company that focuses on quality service and community, which aligns with their mission as a Partner.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis Partnership Plc
β¨Show Your Passion for Food
As a Supermarket Assistant, your enthusiasm for food and drink trends is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your favourite products and any recent trends you've noticed. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and align with the company's focus on serving food lovers.
β¨Emphasise Teamwork Skills
Communication and teamwork are key in this role. Share examples from your past experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team, especially in customer-facing situations. Highlight how you can contribute to a positive team environment at Waitrose.
β¨Demonstrate Flexibility
The job requires a flexible approach to support various tasks. Be ready to discuss how you've adapted to changing circumstances in previous roles. This could include managing different responsibilities or working varied hours, which is essential for the supermarket's operations.
β¨Prepare Questions About the Role
Show your interest by preparing thoughtful questions about the role and the company. Ask about the training process, opportunities for growth, or how the team collaborates. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you understand if the role is the right fit for you.