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 passionate partners and quality service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, night premium pay, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Flexible full-time hours with a dynamic work environment in Bishop’s Stortford.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by fostering a supportive team culture and maximising sales.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in a fast-paced retail environment is essential.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 45600 £ per year.
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. Keep 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. 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.
Pay: £32,000.00 - £45,600.00 per annum.
Closing date: June 3, 2026.
Contract type: Permanent.
Hours of work: Varied hours of full‑time work (37.5 hours per week) across seven days, including early starts, late finishes, evenings and alternate weekends.
Job level: Partnership Level 8.
Where you'll be working: Bishop’s Stortford (Waitrose & Partners), Northgate End, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 2BA.
Team Manager 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 Bishop’s Stortford shop, you will 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
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, spend some time researching Waitrose and its values. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being a part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or improved customer satisfaction. We want to hear how you’ve made a difference, so be ready to share those experiences during your chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your people skills! During the interview, demonstrate how you can inspire and motivate others. Use real-life scenarios to illustrate how you’ve built high-performing teams and managed challenges effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Engaging with your interviewers shows your enthusiasm for the role. Ask about their expectations for the Team Manager position and how you can contribute to the success of the shop.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in leading teams. We want to see how you've motivated others and created a positive work environment, so share specific examples that showcase your leadership style.
Be Customer-Focused:Since this role is all about delivering outstanding customer service, we recommend you include any relevant experiences where you've improved customer satisfaction. Talk about how you’ve engaged with customers and built loyalty in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! We love it when candidates tailor their applications to the job description. Use keywords from the job listing to show us you understand what we're looking for and how you fit the bill.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to track your application status. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis plc
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand Waitrose's values and what sets them apart in the retail world. Familiarise yourself with their customer service approach and think about how your leadership style aligns with their mission to deliver outstanding partner-led service.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team in a fast-paced environment. Highlight specific situations where you motivated your team, resolved conflicts, or improved performance. This will demonstrate your ability to build high-performing teams.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don’t just answer questions—engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about the team culture and how they implement changes within the shop. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Think of potential challenges you might face as a Team Manager at Waitrose and prepare your responses. This will help you demonstrate your ability to adapt and manage effectively under pressure.
