General Merchandise Manager

General Merchandise Manager

Hamilton Full-Time 31450 - 44330 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
S

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the management of non-food products and ensure a fantastic shopping experience.
  • Company: Join a leading retailer with a focus on customer service and team empowerment.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, bonuses, free food, generous holidays, and wellbeing support.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced retail management and a passion for customer service.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and development.

The predicted salary is between 31450 - 44330 £ per year.

Salary: From £31,450Location: Hamilton Store, Hamilton, ML3 0DFContract type: PermanentBusiness area: RetailClosing date: 30 September 2025Requisition ID: 400018715

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:

  • 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.
  • 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. Alongside this, we also offer a great range of benefits for our managers, including:

  • 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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

General Merchandise Manager employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

As a General Merchandise Manager at our Hamilton Store, you will be part of a dynamic team that prioritises customer satisfaction and operational excellence. We offer a supportive work culture with extensive benefits, including generous discounts, an annual bonus scheme, and opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and training. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that every colleague can thrive, making this an exceptional place to build a rewarding career in retail.
S

Contact Detail:

Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land General Merchandise Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn and ask about their experiences. This can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Show how your leadership style aligns with their mission, especially in delivering exceptional customer experiences.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice common interview questions related to people management and operational challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit!

We think you need these skills to ace General Merchandise Manager

Leadership Skills
People Management
Customer Service Orientation
Performance Management
KPI Delivery
Operational Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Team Coaching
Employee Relations
Retail Experience
Dynamic Environment Adaptability
Communication Skills
Sales Management
Stock Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Customers: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your obsession with customer service. We want to see how you've inspired teams to deliver exceptional experiences and how you can bring that passion to our stores.

Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; give us the juicy details! Share specific examples of how you've managed teams, tackled performance issues, or delivered on KPIs. This helps us see how you fit into our fast-paced environment.

Tailor Your Application: Make your application stand out by tailoring it to the General Merchandise Manager role. Use keywords from the job description and relate your skills directly to what we’re looking for. It shows us you’ve done your homework!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

✨Know Your Numbers

As a General Merchandise Manager, you'll need to be familiar with KPIs and performance indicators. Brush up on your understanding of sales figures, stock availability, and customer satisfaction metrics. Be ready to discuss how you've previously met or exceeded these targets.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Leadership is key in this role. Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing teams, resolving conflicts, and coaching others. Think about specific situations where you inspired your team to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

✨Demonstrate Customer Obsession

This position requires a strong focus on customer service. Be prepared to share stories that illustrate your passion for customers and how you've instilled that same passion in your team. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved the customer experience.

✨Be Ready for Operational Challenges

Expect questions about how you handle daily operations and solve business problems. Think of examples where you successfully managed a busy store environment, dealt with staffing issues, or ensured smooth operations during peak times. Show them you're a hands-on leader who thrives under pressure.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

S
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>