At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide exceptional service and keep the shop running smoothly.
- Company: Join Waitrose, the UK's largest employee-owned business, where Partners thrive together.
- Benefits: Earn £14.58 per hour plus a night premium of £3.75 for late shifts.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer experiences while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Good people skills and experience in customer-facing roles are essential.
The predicted salary is between 14 - 15 £ per hour.
As a Team Leader within one of our Waitrose shops, you'll help our difference be felt by our customers on every visit, providing the Partner-led service and passion for food that our competitors can't compete with - passionate Partners serving food lovers. Your drive to go the extra mile to help both customers and Partners 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, all the while helping to maximise on 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 £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.
Key Responsibilities
Alongside the great service you provide to our customers, your role will involve a variety of shop-keeping related tasks to keep things running efficiently and productively. Responsibilities include:
- Supporting the shop's management team with managerial tasks and work with all other areas of the shop to meet customer demand.
- Ensuring Partners are operating in a safe and legal manner.
- Fulfilling online customer orders ready for our drivers to deliver their shopping direct to their doors.
- Stock replenishment - ensuring our shelves remain as full as possible and products are in the right place at the right time for our customers.
- Working with the wider shop team to support when needed including; checkout support, managing Click & Collect orders, fulfilling on-demand customer orders and more.
- Being proactive in helping to drive the commercial performance for the shop, offering ideas for continuous improvement to the operation.
- Reducing wastage by following product due diligence and markdowns to those reaching their sell by dates.
- Maintaining a safe and tidy working environment with general shopkeeping tasks.
Essential skills/experience you'll need
- Good people and leadership skills.
- Good understanding of retail and how to maximise commercial success.
- Experience of working in a customer facing role.
- Good stakeholder management skills when working with third parties and the wider Partnership.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Duty Manager Training (Internal Partners only).
Closing Date: September 22, 2026
Pay: £14.58 Hourly
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours of Work: Varied days of working between the hours of 20.00-06.00 on a two week rota. Week one Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Week two Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Job Level: Partnership Level 10
Where You'll Be Working: Dorchester (Waitrose & Partners), Tudor Arcade, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1BN
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re 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’re 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’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.
Supermarket Assistant, Team Leader, Nights in Dorchester employer: John Lewis
John Lewis is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where every employee is considered a Partner, sharing in the success and responsibilities of the business. With a focus on innovation and personal growth, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment that encourages creativity and collaboration. Located in the heart of London, the role of Social Community Executive provides a unique opportunity to engage with a diverse community while contributing to a brand that values kindness, respect, and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supermarket Assistant, Team Leader, Nights in Dorchester
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Supermarket Assistant, Team Leader, Nights in Dorchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to John Lewis:Don’t forget to personalise your application for John Lewis! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that John Lewis offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at John Lewis and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
