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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to create exceptional shopping experiences in our supermarkets.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a leading retailer committed to inclusivity and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, bonuses, generous holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by empowering your team and enhancing customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership and managing teams in fast-paced environments.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career growth and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 36250 - 36250 £ per year.
Locations: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8YG, GB
Closing Date: 04/24/2026, 06:11 AM
Full Time or Part Time: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Advertised Salary: £36,250
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:
- 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.
- Regularly take 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.
- Be responsible for a large team of colleagues, ensuring they’re performing at their best and that all people matters are conducted properly.
What makes a great Lead Food Manager:
- A passionate leader who is consistently ambitious for their customers and colleagues.
- 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 KPIs or other performance indicators.
- A champion of inclusivity, building an inclusive team and working environment.
- Comfortable in managing complex people matters such as disciplinaries and performance issues.
- 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.
- Experience managing sensitive and complex people matters with confidence and fairness.
- Leadership experience in an operational environment.
- Can evidence leading change effectively.
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.
- Annual bonus scheme based on 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.
- 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. 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.
Lead Food Manager in Leek employer: Sainsburys
Contact Detail:
Sainsburys Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Food Manager in Leek
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, spend some time researching Sainsbury's values and how they align with your own. This will help you connect better during the conversation and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led a team or managed a challenging situation. Be ready to share these during your interview to demonstrate your experience and how you can bring that passion for service to Sainsbury's.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your data skills! Since the role involves interpreting KPIs, be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive performance in previous roles. This will highlight your analytical side and your ability to make informed decisions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team dynamics or upcoming projects. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if Sainsbury's is the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Food Manager in Leek
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 to success!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience managing teams in fast-paced environments. We love details, so share specific examples of how you've driven performance and improved customer satisfaction in your previous roles.
Emphasise Inclusivity: Since we value inclusivity, mention any initiatives you've led or been part of that promote a diverse and welcoming environment. Show us how you can build an inclusive team culture that aligns with our values.
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsburys
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Lead Food Manager, you'll need to be confident in using data. Brush up on your understanding of KPIs and performance indicators. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive results in previous roles, as this will show your analytical skills and ability to make informed decisions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership experience, especially in managing large teams. Think of specific examples where you’ve developed leaders or improved team performance. Highlight your approach to inclusivity and how you create a positive working environment, as this aligns with the company's values.
✨Be Ready for People Matters
Expect questions around managing complex people issues, such as performance management or disciplinary actions. Have examples ready that demonstrate your fairness and sound judgement in these situations. This will show that you're equipped to handle the challenges that come with leading a diverse team.
✨Passion for Customer Experience
The role is all about enhancing customer experiences, so be prepared to discuss how you've delivered exceptional service in the past. Share stories that illustrate your commitment to customer satisfaction and how you’ve empowered your team to do the same. This will resonate well with the interviewers.