At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver exceptional customer service in a fast-paced food hall.
- Company: Join a leading retailer committed to inclusivity and employee development.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, bonuses, generous holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible part-time hours with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer experiences while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing teams and delivering high performance in customer-facing roles.
The predicted salary is between 27065 - 33079 £ per year.
Description
*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.
Essential Criteria
- 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.
Responsibilities
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.
Qualifications
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.
Food Manager in Whitstable employer: Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's in Torquay offers a vibrant work environment where teamwork and customer service are at the heart of everything we do. As a Night Shift Trading Assistant, you'll benefit from comprehensive training, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to make a real difference in our community by ensuring our store is well-stocked and welcoming. Join us for a rewarding experience in a supportive atmosphere that values your contributions and encourages career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food Manager in Whitstable
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Sainsbury's and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Food Manager in Whitstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Sainsbury's that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Sainsbury's.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Sainsbury's get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Sainsbury's and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
