At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a small team to ensure smooth store operations and exceptional customer service.
- Company: Join a well-known supermarket chain committed to inclusivity and employee growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, bonuses, generous holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in management and a passion for delivering great customer service.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 39000 £ per year.
Salary: 33,050
Location: Chadwell Heath Store, Romford, RM6 6PB
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Retail
Closing date: 15 November 2025
Requisition ID: 400031046
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. And the impact? Work becomes more rewarding for our colleagues, and shopping becomes a next‑level experience for every customer who walks through our doors. This is how we bring our purpose to life, one powerful action at a time.
What you’ll be doing:
- Working closely with a small team of managers to make sure the store runs like clockwork every day.
- Taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the store, often being the only manager in with accountability for the full shop.
- Working alongside a team to complete all tasks, ensuring our customers are served efficiently and safely.
- People management is also a big part of the role, managing performance and capability, conducting disciplinaries and ensuring scheduling and pay are accurate.
- Helping another store when needed.
What makes a great customer & trading manager:
- Previous line management responsibilities in a fast-paced, operational environment.
- Provides brilliant customer service, and coaches a team to do the same.
- Delivers KPIs or other performance indicators.
- Can manage disciplinaries, performance issues or other similar employee relations issues.
- Leads operations and is comfortable doing this alone in the absence of more senior management.
- A track record of delivering brilliant customer service and coaching colleagues to do the same.
- Experience of leading a team in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment – you’ve motivated others, driven performance, and kept operations running smoothly.
- Operational leadership skills – you’ve taken responsibility for store operations in the absence of more senior managers.
- Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding KPIs – whether it’s sales, availability, customer satisfaction or colleague engagement, you’ve made a measurable impact.
- Has managed employee relations issues, including performance and absence management.
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 and 15% off at Argos every pay day.
- 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. If you would like to learn more about our commitment to inclusivity, please take a look here. Should you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages, please let us know, and we will endeavour to support you.
Customer and Trading Manager - Small Supermarket employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer and Trading Manager - Small Supermarket
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their values, mission, and recent news. This way, when you walk into that interview, you can show them you're not just another candidate – you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Grab a mate and do some mock interviews. Focus on common questions for management roles, like how you handle team performance or customer service challenges. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it counts.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info about the role and even lead to referrals. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to be part of the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer and Trading Manager - Small Supermarket
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Customer and Trading Manager role. Highlight your previous line management experience and any achievements in customer service to grab our attention!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your leadership style aligns with our values. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: When filling out your application, don’t just list responsibilities. Share specific examples of how you’ve met or exceeded KPIs in past roles. We love seeing measurable impacts you've made!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Know Your Store Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the store's layout, product offerings, and any recent promotions. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you discuss how you can enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in fast-paced environments. Highlight specific situations where you motivated your team, resolved conflicts, or improved performance metrics. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively in the absence of senior management.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Excellence
Be ready to discuss your approach to delivering brilliant customer service. Share stories that illustrate how you’ve coached others to provide exceptional service and how you’ve handled challenging customer interactions. This aligns perfectly with the company’s focus on enhancing the shopping experience.
✨Understand Employee Relations
Since managing performance and employee relations is key, brush up on your knowledge of handling disciplinaries and performance issues. Be prepared to discuss your experience in these areas and how you ensure a positive work environment while meeting KPIs.