At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to provide exceptional service and manage shop operations during night shifts.
- Company: Join Waitrose, the UK's largest employee-owned business, focused on quality and service.
- Benefits: Earn £16.28 per hour plus a £3.75 night premium, with flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values kindness, respect, and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong people skills and retail experience are essential; leadership experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 42000 £ per year.
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 ResponsibilitiesAlongside 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.
- 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.
- Duty Manager Training (Internal Partners only).
Closing Date: June 6, 2026
Pay: £16.28 Hourly
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours of Work: Part time (24.75 hours per week) working 22:00-07:00 Saturday, Sunday, Monday
Job Level: Partnership Level 10
Where You'll Be Working: Kensington (Waitrose & Partners), 243 Kensington High Street, London, London, W8 6SA
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 employer: John Lewis
At Waitrose, we pride ourselves on being the largest employee-owned business in the UK, fostering a culture where every Partner is valued and empowered to contribute to our success. Working as a Team Leader at our Kensington location not only offers competitive pay with additional night premiums but also provides a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and development. Join us in creating a welcoming atmosphere for food lovers while enjoying the benefits of flexible working arrangements and a strong commitment to work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supermarket Assistant, Team Leader Nights
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Waitrose's values and how they treat their Partners. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! As a Team Leader, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or resolved conflicts, and be ready to share them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for food! Since this role is all about serving food lovers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for food and customer service. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your love for the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We recommend using our platform to submit your application. It’s straightforward and ensures your details go directly to the hiring team, giving you the best chance to stand out.
We think you need these skills to ace Supermarket Assistant, Team Leader Nights
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Mention any relevant experience or personal anecdotes that highlight your enthusiasm for serving customers and making their shopping experience memorable.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Team Leader, it's crucial to showcase your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past, and how you can motivate others to achieve great results together.
Be Customer-Focused:Make sure to emphasise your customer-facing experience. Talk about how you've gone the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction and how you plan to bring that same dedication to Waitrose.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, so don’t hesitate to hit that apply button!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Know the Brand
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Waitrose's values and what makes them stand out in the retail market. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to quality and customer service, as this will help you demonstrate your alignment with their brand during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Team Leader, you'll need to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Think about times when you went the extra mile for customers or helped improve team performance, as these stories will resonate well.
✨Prepare for Situational Questions
Expect questions that assess how you'd handle real-life scenarios in the shop. Practice responses to questions like, 'How would you deal with a difficult customer?' or 'What steps would you take to ensure stock is replenished efficiently?' This will show your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, be ready to ask insightful questions about the role and the team. Inquire about the challenges the shop faces or how success is measured for a Team Leader. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
