At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and motivate your team to deliver exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Waitrose, the UK's largest employee-owned business, known for its culture of kindness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, night premium, flexible working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by leading a passionate team and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in team leadership and a passion for retail is essential.
Overview
As a Team Manager in a Waitrose shop, you will lead and motivate your team to deliver outstanding Partner-led customer service that reflects Waitrose values.
You will build trust and loyalty with customers, help maximise sales and profit, and model the leadership and teamwork expected in our partnership.
Night premium applies for any hours worked between 22:00 and 06:00 at £4.75 per hour, including for existing Partners enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of the shop in a fast-paced environment.
- Utilise commercial skills to maximise sales and profit while minimising wastage.
- Ensure high availability and effective merchandising, and maintain a secure, legal store operation.
- Improve and maintain customer satisfaction.
- Lead the team, manage holidays and absences, and foster a culture of care, pace and productivity.
- Engage and lead partners in delivering and embedding change consistently and effectively within the shop.
- Operate in compliance with company policies and standards.
Essential skills / experience
- Experience of leading a team in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
- Ability to build high-performing teams, recognise talent, and conduct regular performance conversations.
- A passion for retail with understanding of competitors and the economic factors affecting the Partnership.
- Ability to assess workload realistically and adapt plans to meet deadlines while maintaining stakeholder relationships.
- Clear communication and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Desirable skills / experience
- Experience with disciplinary and grievances processes.
- Hiring manager / recruitment experience.
- Food Hygiene Level 3.
- Personal licence holder.
- Experience in regulatory compliance management.
- Details
- Location: Whetstone (Waitrose & Partners), 1305 High Road, London, London, N20 9HX
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week across seven days to include early starts, late finishes, evenings and weekends
- Job Level: Partnership Level 8
- Night Premium: applicable for hours 22:00-06:00 at £4.75 per hour
- Closing Date: 23 July 2026
- About the Partnership
We're the largest employee-owned business in the UK with John Lewis and Waitrose.
Partners share in ownership, rewards and the culture of kindness and respect.
We value diverse perspectives and strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive.
Additional notes
Some roles may require pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks).
If required, you will be informed during recruitment.
DBS checks may be carried out by a third-party body and financial probity checks may be required for some roles.
We support flexible working where possible and encourage you to discuss this with the hiring manager during your interview.
Team Manager Twilight in Whetstone employer: John Lewis plc
John Lewis plc is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture at The Odney Hotel in the picturesque setting of Cookham, Berkshire. Employees benefit from competitive pay, flexible part-time hours, and opportunities for growth within a renowned company known for its commitment to customer service excellence. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters a rewarding career in hospitality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager Twilight in Whetstone
✨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 Twilight in Whetstone
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!
