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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to create exceptional shopping experiences in our grocery department.
- Company: Join a leading retailer committed to inclusivity and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, bonuses, free food, generous holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by leading a passionate team and driving performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing teams in fast-paced environments and a passion for service.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career growth and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 49000 £ per year.
Overview
Salary: From £35,000
Location: Hoddesdon Store, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HF
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Retail
Closing date: 25 February 2026
Requisition ID: 400034392
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.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead a small team of food managers to manage the grocery shop floor in one of our supermarkets.
- Execute exciting trading events by working closely with the rest of the store leadership team.
- Regularly take full accountability for the store in the absence of a store manager, role modelling and coaching for high standards and efficiency across the food hall.
- Manage compliance to processes and safety whilst bringing the passion and flare for great shop keeping and creating fantastic shopping experiences.
- Be responsible for a large team of colleagues, ensuring they’re performing at their best and that all people matters are conducted properly.
What makes a great Lead Food Manager
- A passionate leader who is consistently ambitious for their customers and colleagues.
- Experience of managing managers in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment.
- An operator who is comfortable managing alone in the absence of more senior management.
- Driven to deliver high performance with a focus on efficiency and engagement.
- Confident in the use of data and understanding/interpreting KPIs or other performance indicators.
- A champion of inclusivity, building an inclusive team and working environment.
- Comfortable in managing complex people matters such as disciplinaries and performance issues.
- Experience leading large teams in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
- A track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences across complex operations.
- Proven success in delivering and improving KPIs.
- Experience managing sensitive and complex people matters with confidence and fairness.
- Leadership experience in an operational environment.
- Can evidence leading change effectively.
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.
- 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.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- 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. 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. We offer a range of development opportunities, including mentorship, training, and career progression pathways. We also celebrate diversity through various initiatives and events.
If you would like to learn more about our commitment to inclusivity, please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages.
Lead Food Manager in Hoddesdon employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Food Manager in Hoddesdon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their social media, website, and any recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led a team or managed a project successfully. Be ready to share how you handled challenges and what the outcomes were—this is key for a Lead Food Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just sit back during the interview; engage with your interviewers! Ask them about their experiences and the team dynamics. This shows you're not only interested in the job but also in building relationships within the company.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your enthusiasm and fit for the Lead Food Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Food Manager in Hoddesdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for food management shine through! We want to see how excited you are about leading teams and creating fantastic shopping experiences.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience managing teams in fast-paced environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and deliver exceptional customer service.
Emphasise Inclusivity: Since we value inclusivity, share how you've built diverse teams and fostered an inclusive environment. This will show us that you align with our commitment to creating a welcoming workplace.
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 this exciting opportunity as a Lead Food Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Lead Food Manager, you'll need to be confident in using data. Brush up on your understanding of KPIs and performance indicators. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive results in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing large teams. Think about times when you’ve successfully developed leaders or created a culture of accountability. This will show your potential employer that you can lead effectively.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
Since inclusivity is at the heart of this role, come prepared with examples of how you've built inclusive teams. Discuss any initiatives you've led or participated in that fostered a diverse working environment.
✨Be Ready for People Matters
Expect questions around managing complex people issues. Prepare to discuss your approach to handling performance issues or disciplinary actions. Highlight your fairness and sound judgement in these situations to demonstrate your capability.
