General Merchandise Manager

What you’ll be doing:

• Taking responsibility for the management of all our non-food products ensuring they are presented fantastically to delight our customers.
• Ensure your area runs smoothly every day from the shop floor to the warehouse.
• People management is a big part of the role, managing performance and capability, conducting disciplinaries and ensuring scheduling and pay are accurate.
• At times you may assume overall responsibility for running the store, making sure that all colleagues are given direction and support to deliver for the customer.

What makes a great general merchandise manager:

• Previous line management responsibilities in a fast-paced, operational environment.
• Someone who is truly obsessed with customers and service, and coaches a team to do the same.
• Delivers KPI's or other performance indicators.
• Can manage disciplinaries, performance issues or other similar employee relations issues.
• Leads operations and comfortable doing this alone in the absence of more senior management.

Essential Criteria:

• A track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences, with evidence of coaching others to consistently raise the bar.
• Experience leading teams in a dynamic, customer-facing environment — you’ve inspired others, driven high performance, and created a culture where colleagues thrive.
• Leadership experience in a high-volume, fast-paced operational setting — whether in retail, food service, or hospitality — where you’ve overseen daily operations, solved business problems, and kept teams focused on what matters most: delivering for customers.
• Proven success in delivering against a wide range of KPIs — from sales and stock availability to customer satisfaction and colleague engagement, you’ve made a measurable difference.
• Experience managing complex people matters, including performance, absence, and formal employee relations cases, with confidence and fairness.

Working for us has great rewards:

• Salary will be dependent upon your experience as well as the store size, complexity and location.
• Discount card – 10% discount off on your shopping at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu and Habitat after four weeks. This increases to 15% discount off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday.
• An annual bonus scheme based on our, and your, performance.
• Free food and hot drinks provided for Colleagues in all our stores.
• Generous holiday entitlement, maternity and paternity leave.
• Pension – we’ll match 4-7.5% of your pension contributions.
• Sainsbury’s share scheme – build up an investment at discounted rates.
• Wellbeing support – access to emotional support, counselling, legal and financial advice.
• Colleague networks – link with like-minded people to help fulfil your potential.
• Our Cycle to Work scheme gives you the opportunity to hire a new bike and cycling equipment, whilst saving on tax and NI.
• Special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more.

An inclusive place to work and shop:

• We are dedicated to being a truly inclusive retailer, where every colleague can achieve their full potential and every customer feels welcome when they shop with us.
• To support this commitment, our colleagues may be entitled to a range of enhanced discretionary leave for families, as well as support for carers.
• We provide our colleagues resources to help them understand and support their role and their team effectively.
• Our internal colleague networks seek to ensure true representation for everyone, helping us identify and remove barriers that our colleagues may face.
• We are proud to offer a range of development opportunities, including mentorship, training, and career progression pathways, to help our colleagues grow and succeed.
• We also celebrate diversity through various initiatives and events, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect.

Leading in our stores:

• Our management teams don’t just run stores - they’re the driving force behind our business.
• With bold leadership, a passion for service and an eye for opportunity, they empower teams to raise the bar every single day for our customers.
• Whether it's product availability, safety standards, or delivering seamless daily operations, they’re hands-on, sleeves-rolled-up changemakers.
• The impact? Work becomes more rewarding for our colleagues, and shopping becomes a next-level experience for every customer who walks through our doors.

Full time