Lead Food Manager

Lead Food Manager

Hampton Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to create amazing shopping experiences in our supermarket.
  • Company: Join Sainsbury’s, a leading retailer committed to inclusivity and growth.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, bonuses, free food, and generous holiday entitlements.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by leading a passionate team and driving exceptional customer experiences.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing large teams and delivering results in fast-paced environments.
  • Other info: Access to development opportunities and a supportive, inclusive workplace.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

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 whether it’s Christmas or Easter you’ll help ensure we win.
  • Regularly taking 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.
  • You’ll be responsible for a large team of colleagues, making sure they’re performing at their best, they’re there on the shop floor when we need them and that all people matters are conducted properly whether it’s celebrating someone’s success or managing difficult situations.
  • What makes a great Lead Food Manager:

  • A passionate leader who is consistently ambitious for their customers and colleagues, every day, growing their team to do the same.
  • 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 and transforming these into meaningful actions.
  • Is a champion of inclusivity putting it at the heart of what they do, uses this passion to build an inclusive team and working environment.
  • Comfortable in managing complex people matters such as: managing disciplinaries, performance issues or other similar employee relations issues.
  • Essential Criteria:

  • Experience leading large teams in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment — you’ve developed leaders, built high-performing teams, and created a culture of ownership and accountability.
  • A track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences across complex operations, with evidence of delivering these through your team.
  • Proven success in delivering and improving KPIs — from sales and stock availability to customer satisfaction and colleague engagement, you’ve driven results that matter.
  • Experience managing sensitive and complex people matters, including performance, absence, and formal employee relations cases, with confidence, fairness, and sound judgement.
  • Leadership experience in an operational environment — whether in retail, hospitality, or food service — where you’ve owned departmental performance and confidently led the store in the absence of senior leadership.
  • Can evidence leading change — whether rolling out new ways of working, embedding new systems, or shifting team mindsets, you’ve brought people with you and made change stick.
  • 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.

    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 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.
  • 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 .

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

    Lead Food Manager employer: Sainsbury's

    As a Lead Food Manager at our supermarket, you will thrive in a dynamic and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee growth and exceptional customer experiences. With competitive benefits such as a generous discount scheme, annual bonuses, and comprehensive wellbeing support, we are committed to fostering a culture of high performance and accountability while celebrating diversity and providing opportunities for career advancement.
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    Contact Detail:

    Sainsbury's Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Lead Food Manager

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Lead Food Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opening!

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to leadership and team management. Think about your past experiences and how they align with what the company is looking for. We want you to shine when it’s your turn to impress!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Showcase your passion for food management during interviews. Talk about your love for creating fantastic shopping experiences and how you’ve led teams to success. Let your enthusiasm be contagious – it’s a key trait for a Lead Food Manager!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you that dream job together!

    We think you need these skills to ace Lead Food Manager

    Leadership Skills
    Team Management
    Customer Service Excellence
    Performance Management
    KPI Interpretation
    Change Management
    Operational Efficiency
    Inclusivity Advocacy
    Conflict Resolution
    Coaching and Development
    Data-Driven Decision Making
    Employee Relations Management
    Fast-Paced Environment Adaptability
    Accountability

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for food and leadership shine through. We want to see how excited you are about creating fantastic shopping experiences and leading a team!

    Be Specific About Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience managing large teams in fast-paced environments. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've driven results and improved KPIs in your previous roles.

    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 the Lead Food Manager role. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's

    ✨Know Your Numbers

    As a Lead Food Manager, you'll need to be confident in interpreting KPIs and performance indicators. Brush up on your data skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive results in previous roles.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

    Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing large teams and developing leaders. Think about specific situations where you’ve successfully motivated your team or handled complex people matters. This will demonstrate your capability as a passionate leader.

    ✨Emphasise Inclusivity

    Since inclusivity is at the heart of this role, come prepared with examples of how you've built inclusive teams in the past. Discuss any initiatives you've led or participated in that fostered a diverse and welcoming environment.

    ✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

    Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations, especially around managing difficult employee relations or executing trading events. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies to show you're ready to handle the challenges of the role.

    Lead Food Manager
    Sainsbury's
    Location: Hampton
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