At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire your team to deliver exceptional customer service at Waitrose.
- Company: Join the renowned Waitrose brand known for its quality and customer focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, night premium pay, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with various full-time hours available in Southampton.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by fostering a supportive team culture and enhancing customer loyalty.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in a fast-paced retail environment.
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- 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.
- 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.
- Experience with Disciplinary & Grievance processes.
- Hiring Manager/ Recruitment experience.
- Food Hygiene Level 3.
- Personal licence holder.
- Experience in regulatory compliance management.
- Closing Date: July 3, 2026
- Pay: £32,000.00 – £45,600.00
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Hours of Work: Various full‑time (37.5) hours required
- Job Level: Partnership Level 8
- Location: Southampton (Waitrose & Partners), West Quay Shopping Centre, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1QA
This role may require pre‑employment vetting, including DBS checks, conducted by a third‑party registered body, and may involve financial probity checks.
Team Manager in Southampton employer: John Lewis plc
At Waitrose, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters teamwork and personal growth. As a Team Manager in our Southampton store, you'll not only lead a passionate team dedicated to outstanding customer service but also benefit from competitive pay, including a Night Premium, and opportunities for career advancement within a supportive environment that values every Partner's contribution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager in Southampton
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like John Lewis plc, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like John Lewis plc!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at John Lewis plc, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at John Lewis plc and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show John Lewis plc that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis plc
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
