Customer and Trading Manager - Small Supermarket

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. 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

• 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 a big part of the role – managing performance and capability, conducting disciplinaries and ensuring scheduling and pay are accurate.
• Helping another store when needed within our close‑knit network.

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 so alone in the absence of more senior management.

Essential Criteria

• 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 – motivating others, driving performance, and keeping operations running smoothly.
• Operational leadership skills – taking responsibility for store operations in the absence of more senior managers.
• Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding KPIs – sales, availability, customer satisfaction or colleague engagement.
• Has managed employee relations issues, including performance and absence management.

Working for us has great rewards

• Salary will depend on experience as well as store size, complexity and location.
• Discount card – 10% discount on shopping at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu and Habitat (increasing to 15% 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.
• Cycle to Work scheme – opportunity to hire a new bike and cycling equipment, while 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 with 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.

Reasonable adjustments

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