Lead Nightshift Manager in Southampton

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.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead and manage a small team of managers overnight, delivering all replenishment activities ready for customers the following morning.
• Plan for upcoming key trading activities and events by working closely with the rest of the store leadership team.
• People management, including pay and scheduling routines, training, communication and employee relation activities such as managing performance, absence, and completing disciplinaries.
• Take full accountability for the store overnight, role modelling and coaching for high standards and efficiency across the store.
• Take accountability for the health and safety of every one of the colleagues who works with you on a shift.

Our nightshift managers work full‑time hours over 4 nights, and receive a £4,500 premium on top of their base salary (our nightshifts typically run from 22:00 – 08:00).

What makes a great lead nightshift manager

• Comfortable with nightshift working and adaptable to the physical and mental impact of these shift patterns.
• A passionate leader consistently ambitious for customers and colleagues, growing their team to do the same.
• Experience managing managers in a fast‑paced, customer‑facing environment.
• 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, understanding and interpreting KPIs, and experience of improving them.
• Puts inclusivity at the heart of what they do and uses this to build an inclusive team and working environment.
• Can manage disciplinaries, performance issues or other similar employee relations issues (up to dismissal).

Essential Criteria

• 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 such as sales, stock availability, customer satisfaction and colleague engagement.
• Experience managing sensitive and complex people matters, including performance, absence, and formal employee relations.
• Leadership experience in an operational environment, confidently leading the store in the absence of senior leadership.
• Evidence of leading change—rolling out new ways of working, embedding new systems, or shifting team mindsets.

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated experience working night shifts in a high‑volume operational environment.

Working for us has great rewards

Salary will be dependent upon your experience as well as store size, complexity and location.

• Discount card – 10% discount off on your shopping at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu and Habitat after four weeks; 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 – 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 resources to help them understand and support their role and team effectively. Our internal colleague networks seek to ensure true representation for everyone, helping us identify and remove barriers. We are proud to offer a range of development opportunities, including mentorship, training and career progression pathways. We also celebrate diversity through various initiatives and events, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect.

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