At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver exceptional food service and customer experiences.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer committed to inclusivity and 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 32700 - 32700 £ per year.
Location: Whitstable Store, Whitstable, CT5 3QS
Hours: Part time
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Retail
Closing date: 30 September 2026
Requisition ID: 400082010
- Availability Window
- This vacancy is being advertised as Part Time - 32 hours a week
- 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 hand-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.
*Please be aware this is a Part Time role. Hours will be discussed at interview.
What you'll be doing
- Role modelling and coaching for high standards and efficiency across the whole food hall.
- Managing compliance to processes whilst bringing the passion and flare for great shop keeping and customer service.
- Ensure every single one of our customers gets the food they want when they shop with us to help ensure we are the first choice for food.
- 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 will 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 food 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 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.
- 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.
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Food Manager in Whitstable employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
As a Customer and Trading Manager on the nightshift at our Bridgend store, you will be part of a dynamic team that values bold leadership and exceptional service. We offer competitive salaries, a generous benefits package including discounts, bonuses, and wellbeing support, alongside a strong commitment to inclusivity and employee development. Join us in creating a rewarding work environment where your contributions directly enhance the shopping experience for our customers.
Contact Details:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Manager in Whitstable
✨Get to Know Your Local Scene
Retail is all about community, so don't underestimate the power of local connections. Pop into shops you're interested in, chat with staff, and ask if they have any openings. This personal touch could land you a part-time gig with ease!
✨Show Off Your Personality
Retail is a people business, and employers love genuine, enthusiastic candidates. When you're applying for part-time roles, showcase your customer service skills and personality during interviews. Be yourself, and don't be afraid to share your love for the products!
✨Utilise College or University Resources
If you're a student, check out your university’s career services. They often have links with local retailers looking for part-time staff. It's a great way to find positions that work around your studies while also building your CV!
✨Check Out Seasonal Opportunities
Retail often sees a surge during peak seasons like Christmas or summer sales. Keep your eyes peeled for temporary part-time roles during these times. Many companies, including Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, may even transition seasonal workers into permanent positions if you impress them!
We think you need these skills to ace Food Manager in Whitstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, we know that customer service is king! Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've got with face-to-face interactions. Include specific examples where you went above and beyond for a customer—this shows potential employers like Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd that you're all about creating great shopping experiences.
Flexibility is Key!:For a part-time role, showcasing your availability is crucial. Make it clear in your application when you can work, especially if you have weekday and weekend flexibility. Retail can demand odd hours, so we want to see that you're ready to jump in when needed!
Forget the Fancy Formatting:While you want your CV to look good, in retail, clarity is more important than flashiness. Use simple formatting and bullet points to make your experiences stand out. Retail managers at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd will appreciate a straightforward CV that’s easy to skim through.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:When applying for a part-time retail position, your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share why you’re excited about Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd and what you can bring to their team. Maybe you love their products or admire their customer service philosophy—let that passion come through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Mastering Brand Knowledge
As we're heading into a part-time retail role at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, it’s super crucial to know their brand inside out. Familiarise yourself with their products, customer service approach, and any current promotions. This way, you can engage genuinely in conversations and show that you’re already invested in their vibe.
✨Excellent Customer Scenarios
Prepare for customer service scenarios! Retail interviews often include role-play or situational questions. Think about how you'd handle different customer situations, from dealing with complaints to upselling products. We want to hear how you can keep your cool and keep the customer happy!
✨Tailoring Your Availability
Being part-time means flexibility is key! Be ready to discuss your availability honestly. Employers in retail love candidates who can adapt their schedules to peak hours. Show that you're keen to work evenings or weekends if it helps them out.
✨Show Off Your Team Spirit
Teamwork is essential in retail. Bring up experiences where you worked effectively in a team, whether it’s in previous jobs, school projects, or volunteering. We want to know how you can contribute to a positive team environment at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd!
