Food Manager

You’re ambitious for more leadership responsibility. Maybe one day, you’d like to run your own store or take on a bigger role in the future. First, focus on developing your people management skills—building a team that delivers what you need, when you need it. This is a well-balanced management role with clear accountability. You’ll understand what’s expected of you and who to turn to for support. Whether you have supervisory experience or are looking to step up, it’s a great opportunity to connect with your team and grow your skills.

What you’ll be doing

Our purpose, driven by our passion for food, is to serve and help every customer. Food quality sets the standard for the rest of the store. Ensuring grocery, fresh, and produce are always available and look their best encourages repeat business. Your leadership will ensure smooth operations daily. Reporting to our Lead Food Manager, your focus is on in-store management, ensuring your area runs efficiently every day.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a medium to large in-store team—assigning tasks, planning breaks, creating rotas, addressing performance issues sensitively and effectively, and assisting with recruitment.
• Being a visible leader on the shop floor, a role model who promotes training and fosters an inclusive, safe environment where colleagues feel comfortable challenging existing processes.

What success looks like

Here’s how you’ll measure your development:

• Supporting the Lead Food Manager to improve customer and retail outcomes in your area.
• Collaborating with another Food Manager to share ideas and improve operations, ensuring effective shift handovers.
• Providing honest, early feedback to your team.
• Helping your team empathize with customers, taking pride in delivering excellent service.
• Making decisions confidently and at pace, even when all answers aren’t known.

About you

We’re open to your career path. You likely already manage or supervise people in a fast-paced environment and are confident handling daily challenges—your team depends on you. You should share Sainsbury’s enthusiasm for technology. We embrace digital solutions—from stock management to scheduling. Most importantly, you’re motivated to develop, dedicated to bringing out the best in others, and passionate about customer service. That’s what our stores are all about.

Where next?

The Sainsbury’s management structure is designed to support your progression. You will receive a comprehensive induction, tailored training plans, and ongoing coaching to help you succeed and develop your skills. As a Food Manager, you could advance into roles such as Lead Manager in Food, In-store Customer Experience, Clothing, or General Merchandise. Further ahead, this experience prepares you for Store Management or leadership roles across Sainsbury’s brands, including Habitat, Tu, Argos, Sainsbury’s Bank, and Nectar 360. We’re committed to helping you realize your potential.

Added benefits

Salary depends on your experience, store size, complexity, and location. We also offer a range of benefits, including:

• 10% discount at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu, and Habitat after four weeks, increasing to 15% on Fridays and Saturdays at Sainsbury’s and at Argos on pay days.
• Free food and hot drinks for colleagues.
• Generous holiday entitlement, maternity and paternity leave.
• Pension scheme with 4-7.5% matching contributions.
• Sainsbury’s share scheme for investment at discounted rates.
• Wellbeing support, including counseling and legal advice.
• Colleague networks for professional growth.
• Cycle to Work scheme for affordable bikes and equipment.
• Special offers on gym memberships, holidays, retail vouchers, and more.

Click ‘apply’ to start your Sainsbury’s journey.