Food Manager

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.

This is how we bring our purpose to life, one powerful action at a time.

• Role‑modeling and coaching for high standards and efficiency across the whole food hall.
• Managing compliance to processes while bringing the passion and flair for great shop keeping and customer service.
• Ensuring every single customer gets the food they want when they shop with us so we remain their first choice for food.
• People management – managing performance and capability, conducting disciplinaries and ensuring scheduling and pay are accurate.
• Occasionally assuming overall responsibility for running the store, making sure all colleagues are given direction and support to deliver for the customer.

• Previous line‑management responsibilities in a fast‑paced, operational environment.
• Delivering brilliant customer service and coaching a team to do the same.
• Delivering KPIs or other performance indicators.
• Managing disciplinaries, performance issues or other similar employee relations issues.
• Leading operations and being comfortable doing so alone in the absence of more senior management.

• 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 – inspiring others, driving high performance and creating a culture where colleagues thrive.
• Leadership experience in a high‑volume, fast‑paced setting – whether in retail, food service or hospitality – overseeing daily operations, solving business problems and keeping teams focused on delivering for customers.
• Proven success in delivering against a wide range of KPIs – from sales and stock availability to customer satisfaction and colleague engagement.
• Experience managing complex people matters, including performance, absence and formal employee‑relations cases, with confidence and fairness.

Salary will be dependent upon your experience as well as the store size, complexity and location. In addition to that we offer a great range of benefits for our managers, including:

• Discount card – a 10% discount on your shopping at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu and Habitat after four weeks, increasing to 15% off at Sainsbury’s on Fridays and Saturdays, and 15% off at Argos on every pay day.
• An annual bonus scheme based on our performance and yours.
• Free food and hot drinks for colleagues in all stores.
• Generous holiday entitlement, maternity and paternity leave.
• Pension – we’ll match 4–7.5% of your 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 – an opportunity to hire a new bike and cycle equipment while saving on tax and NI.
• Special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more.

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, colleagues may be entitled to a range of enhanced discretionary leave for families, and support for carers. We provide resources to help them understand and support their role and their team effectively.

Internal colleague networks seek to ensure true representation for everyone, helping identify and remove barriers. We are proud to offer a range of development opportunities, including mentorship, training and career progression pathways, to help colleagues grow and succeed. We celebrate diversity through 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.