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.
What you’ll be doing
* Lead a team of managers to ensure every customer has a great in‑store experience, from check‑outs to the petrol station.
* Plan for upcoming key trading activity and events by working closely with the rest of the store leadership team.
* Take full accountability for the store in the absence of a store manager, role‑modeling and coaching for high standards and efficiency across the store.
* Run operations at our checkout areas (both manned and self‑scan), petrol stations (if we have one) and back‑of‑house services.
* Manage people: performance and capability, conduct disciplinaries, and ensure accurate scheduling and pay.
What makes a great Lead Customer Experience manager
* A passionate leader who is consistently ambitious for their customers and colleagues, growing their team to do the same.
* Experience managing managers in a fast‑paced, customer‑facing environment.
* An operator 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 interpreting KPI’s, with experience of improving these.
* Put inclusivity at the heart of what they do and use it 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 – developing leaders, building high‑performing teams, and creating a culture of ownership and accountability.
* A track record of delivering exceptional customer experiences across complex operations, with evidence of delivering these through the team.
* Proven success in delivering and improving KPIs – from sales and stock availability to customer satisfaction and colleague engagement, driving results that matter.
* Experience managing sensitive and complex people matters, including performance, absence, and formal employee relations cases, with confidence, fairness and sound judgement.
* Leadership experience in an operational environment – whether in retail, hospitality or food service – owning departmental performance and confidently leading the store in the absence of senior leadership.
* Can evidence leading change – rolling out new ways of working, embedding new systems, or shifting team mindsets, and making change stick.
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.
* Discount card – 10% discount on shopping at Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu and Habitat after four weeks. This increases to 15% discount off at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day.
* An annual bonus scheme based on our and your performance.
* 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 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 – you can 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, colleagues may be entitled to a range of enhanced discretionary leave for families and support for carers. We provide resources to help colleagues understand and support their role and team effectively. Our internal colleague networks ensure true representation, helping us identify and remove barriers that colleagues may face. We are proud to offer 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.
Should you require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages, please let us know, and we will endeavour to support you.
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