At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive sales.
- Company: Join the UK's largest employee-owned business, John Lewis & Partners.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, night premium pay, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a fast-paced retail setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 45600 £ per year.
As a Team Manager within one of our John Lewis stores, you are integral to delivering the unique John Lewis difference. You will lead your teams to ensure that every customer has an outstanding experience, drive commercial results within your areas of responsibility, and allocate your team of Partners (employees) effectively.
Working in our store as a Team Manager, you'll thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where every day brings something new. Working alongside the leadership team, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving sales, delighting customers and Partners, and maintaining a safe, fully compliant store.
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.
Key Responsibilities
- Actively role modelling the partnership behaviours and inspiring a team of Partners through clear communication by managing the full Partner lifecycle, supporting them with talent development, including addressing performance concerns promptly.
- Being directly accountable for performance within your area of responsibility. Making sure processes are followed, brand standards are delivered and that you use operational strategies to drive success.
- Ensuring the store is compliant and safe for our customers and partners.
- Utilise tools provided to effectively allocate resources to meet our customer needs.
- Championing diversity, inclusion and wellbeing.
Essential skills/experience you'll need
- Experience of leading a team in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment with a proven track record as a specialist in people and driving a culture of empowerment.
- Regulatory Compliance Management (as required).
- Competent in using human resource tools and systems (e.g Workday or Tableau).
- Ability to analyse data and insights and translate them into actionable strategies.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Experience in hiring, key-holder operations, and duty management.
- Experience in managing disciplinary and grievance procedures.
- A proven track record of successful identification and delivery of commercial opportunities and outcomes.
Closing Date: September 14, 2026
Pay: £32,000.00 - £45,600.00 Annual
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week. Varied shifts across seven days between the hours of 05:45 and 20:30. Shifts will include weekend working on rotation.
Job Level: Partnership Level 8
Where You'll Be Working: High Wycombe (John Lewis & Partners), Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 4NW
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.
Team Manager in High Wycombe 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 Team Manager in High Wycombe
✨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, 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!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager in High Wycombe
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, 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 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 that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨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!
