At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a small team to ensure smooth store operations and deliver excellent 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: Great opportunities for career progression and personal development.
- 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 customer service are essential.
The predicted salary is between 31700 - 31700 £ per year.
Salary: From £31,700 pro rata
Location: Saltcoats Store, Saltcoats, KA21 5DT
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Retail
Closing date: 12 June 2026
Requisition ID: 400063217
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:
- Working closely with a small team of managers to make sure the store runs like clockwork every day.
- Taking responsibility for the day to running of the store, often being the only manager in with accountability for the full shop.
- Work 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 KPI's 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.
- Operational leadership skills — taking responsibility for store operations in the absence of more senior managers.
- Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding KPIs.
- 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, increasing 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.
- 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 let us know, and we will endeavour to support you.
Customer and Trading Manager - Small Supermarket in Saltcoats employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
At our Saltcoats store, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values bold leadership and a passion for service. Our inclusive work culture fosters personal growth through mentorship and training opportunities, while our generous benefits package, including discounts, bonuses, and wellbeing support, ensures that our colleagues feel valued and motivated. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic retail environment where every day brings new opportunities to excel.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer and Trading Manager - Small Supermarket in Saltcoats
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn and ask about their experiences. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions. Think about how your past experiences align with the role of Customer and Trading Manager. We want to hear how you’ve led teams and delivered results!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for customer service! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers. This is key for us in retail!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and show that you’re genuinely interested in the position. Plus, it’s a nice touch!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer and Trading Manager - Small Supermarket in Saltcoats
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your previous line management experience. We want to see how you've led teams in fast-paced environments and delivered brilliant customer service.
Be Specific About Your Achievements:Don’t just say you’ve met KPIs; tell us how you did it! Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact on sales, customer satisfaction, or colleague engagement. Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your Application:Make your application stand out by tailoring it to the role. Use the job description as a guide and reflect the language used. This shows us you understand what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and is considered promptly!
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 gone above and beyond for customers and how you’ve coached your team to do the same. This aligns perfectly with the company’s focus on enhancing the shopping experience.
✨Prepare for Operational Challenges
Think about potential challenges you might face in the role, such as managing stock levels or handling employee relations issues. Be prepared to discuss how you would tackle these challenges, showcasing your problem-solving skills and operational leadership.
