At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve customers and share your passion for food and drink in a vibrant supermarket environment.
- Company: Join Waitrose & Partners, the UK's largest employee-owned business with a focus on community and respect.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, profit sharing, and flexible working options to balance life and work.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values your input and rewards your hard work while you learn and grow.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+ with customer service experience; WSET Level 2 in Wine & Spirits preferred.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 30000 £ per year.
Waitrose & Partners is all about enriched experiences and that goes for our people – our Partners – as much as our customers. We want you to enjoy your work and share your passion for food with our customers. So we’ll train you, treat you respectfully and then reward you by giving you a share in the profits, for pulling it all together and being part of our success.
In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £3.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.
Due to working time regulations, applicants must be 18 years or over to apply. The purpose of this vacancy is to attract an already qualified Waitrose Specialist internally; alternatively, external candidates should hold a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2 Award. Therefore we will only be able to accept applications of this nature.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- The role of a Supermarket Assistant involves a range of tasks, including advising and serving customers, moving and replenishing stock, carrying out housekeeping activities and handling cash and card transactions according to set procedures.
- Partners may be expected to work in any area of the branch to support the wider team as required, and to maintain the necessary business dress and hygiene standards.
- We are looking for someone who keeps up to date on food and drink trends, knows our products, takes pride in whatever they do, carrying out everything to the highest standards, making sure the shop floor is shipshape, ready for when our customers arrive.
- Whether they are shopping for a healthy lunch, a top up on fresh fruit and veg, the weekly shop or a special occasion, we want every customer to enjoy their shopping experience, confident in our products and confident in our Partners.
Desired Experience, Skills & Qualifications:
- Experience in a customer facing selling or service environment.
Closing Date: May 30, 2026
Pay: £14.31 Hourly
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours of Work: Full time (37.5 hours). Tuesday - Saturday 11:45 - 20:00 with a 23:45 finish on a Tuesday twice a month.
Job Level: Partnership Level 10
Where You'll Be Working: Ringwood (Waitrose & Partners), The Furlong, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 1AT
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.
Beers, Wines & Spirits Specialist, Supermarket Assistant employer: John Lewis
At Waitrose & Partners, we pride ourselves on being the largest employee-owned business in the UK, where every Partner is valued and rewarded for their contributions. Our work culture fosters respect, collaboration, and personal growth, ensuring that you not only enjoy your role as a Beers, Wines & Spirits Specialist but also thrive in an environment that encourages innovation and inclusivity. With competitive pay, including a Night Premium, and a commitment to work-life balance, joining our team in Ringwood means becoming part of a community dedicated to building a happier world together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Beers, Wines & Spirits Specialist, Supermarket Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the products inside out! As a Beers, Wines & Spirits Specialist, you need to be the go-to person for customers. Brush up on your knowledge of different drinks and trends so you can confidently advise shoppers.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you’re chatting with customers, let your enthusiasm for food and drink shine through. It’s all about creating that enriched experience they’ll remember, so don’t hold back!
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current Partners or others in the industry. They can give you insider tips and maybe even help you get your foot in the door. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the latest roles and updates there, so keep checking back for new opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Beers, Wines & Spirits Specialist, Supermarket Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your love for food and drink shine through! We want to see how excited you are about sharing your knowledge with customers. Make it personal and relatable.
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send out the same CV everywhere. Highlight your experience in customer service and any relevant qualifications, like the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2 Award. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits. Familiarise yourself with popular brands, current trends, and any unique offerings at Waitrose. This will show your passion for the role and help you engage confidently with the interviewer.
✨Showcase Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've excelled in customer service. Think about how you handled difficult situations or went above and beyond for a customer. This is crucial for a Supermarket Assistant role, so be ready to share these stories.
✨Dress the Part
Since maintaining business dress and hygiene standards is important, make sure you dress smartly for the interview. This not only shows respect for the company but also gives a glimpse of how you would present yourself while working.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer about the team culture, training opportunities, or how they support work-life balance. This demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
