At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire your team to deliver exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, known for its commitment to quality and service.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, night premium rates, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities await in a dynamic and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building a supportive team culture and enhancing customer loyalty.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in a customer-focused retail environment is essential.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 45600 £ per year.
As a Team Manager in one of our Waitrose shops, you'll influence and motivate your team and be a positive role model for delivering outstanding Partner-led, customer service that is distinctively Waitrose, passionate Partners serving food lovers. Your strong leadership and team working skills will make all the difference to your team and, ultimately, the impression our customers have about the Waitrose brand. Keeping them returning again and again by earning their trust and loyalty for a lifetime, whilst helping to maximise 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 £4.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.
Due to the nature of this role, applicants must be 18 years or over to apply.
Key Responsibilities- It's fast paced and at times you'll oversee the entire day-to-day operation of the shop.
- Using your commercial skills to maximise sales and profit while minimising wastage.
- Ensuring consistently high levels of availability and merchandising as well as delivering an efficient, legal, and secure store operation.
- Improving and maintaining customer satisfaction.
- Using your people skills to manage your team, from leading and inspiring to people related tasks like organising holidays and managing absences.
- Create a supportive culture of care, belonging, pace and productivity.
- Engage and lead partners in delivering and embedding change consistently and effectively within your shop.
- Experience of leading a team with a proven track record in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
- Ability to build high-performing teams, recognise talent, and hold regular, honest performance conversations.
- A passion for retail, understanding competitors and the economic factors impacting the Partnership.
- Ability to assess workload realistically and adapt plans to ensure deadlines are hit and stakeholder relationships are maintained.
- Ability to communicate with clarity and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience with Disciplinary & Grievance processes.
- Hiring Manager/ Recruitment experience.
- Food Hygiene Level 3.
- Personal licence holder.
- Experience in regulatory compliance management.
Closing Date: June 3, 2026
Pay: £32,000.00 - £45,600.00 Annual
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours of Work: Varied hours of full-time work (37.5 hours per week) across seven days to include early starts, late finishes, evenings and alternate weekends.
Job Level: Partnership Level 8
Where You'll Be Working: Bishop's Stortford (Waitrose & Partners), Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 2BA
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 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 shared success. Located in Bishop's Stortford, our Team Managers enjoy competitive pay, including a Night Premium, and benefit from a supportive work environment that prioritises personal growth, flexibility, and a commitment to outstanding customer service. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in the retail landscape while enjoying a fulfilling career with ample opportunities for development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, spend some time researching Waitrose and its values. This will help you connect with the team during your chat and show that you're genuinely interested in being a part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led a team or handled challenges in a fast-paced environment. Being able to share these experiences will demonstrate your capability as a Team Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your people skills! During the interview, highlight how you've motivated and inspired your team in the past. Remember, they want someone who can create a supportive culture, so be ready to discuss how you’ve done this before.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Waitrose family!
We think you need these skills to ace Team manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in leading teams. We want to see how you've motivated others and created a positive work environment, just like the supportive culture we cherish at Waitrose.
Be Customer-Focused:Remember, this role is all about delivering outstanding customer service. Share examples of how you've improved customer satisfaction in previous roles. We love hearing about your passion for serving food lovers!
Tailor Your Application:Take the time to tailor your application to the job description. Use keywords from the listing to show that you understand what we're looking for. This helps us see that you're a great fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply 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 Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand Waitrose's values and what makes their customer service stand out. Familiarise yourself with their approach to retail and how they engage with customers. This will help you demonstrate your passion for the brand and your alignment with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a fast-paced environment. Think about specific situations where you motivated your team or improved performance. Be ready to discuss your approach to managing people and how you handle challenges like absences or performance issues.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Change Management
Since the role involves leading change within the shop, think about times when you've successfully implemented changes in your previous roles. Be prepared to explain your strategies for engaging your team and ensuring smooth transitions, as this will show your capability to adapt and lead effectively.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready that show your interest in the role and the company. You might ask about the team culture, how success is measured, or what challenges the shop is currently facing. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
