Lead Food Manager in Milton Keynes

Salary: 36,250

Location: Shenley Church End Milton Keynes Store, Milton Keynes, MK5 6HF

Contract type: Permanent

Business area: Retail

Closing date: 28 May 2026

Requisition ID: 400061219

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:

• 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 KPI’s 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 gives you the opportunity to hire a new bike and cycling equipment.
• Special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages, please let us know, and we will endeavour to support you.