Team Manager reference: R-182585

Welcome to an insightful look at a significant leadership opportunity within one of the UK's most beloved brands: Team Manager at Waitrose & Partners. This role isn't just a job; it's a chance to become a Partner in a unique, employee-owned business, shaping the future of retail and customer experience.

This review aims to provide potential candidates with a clear understanding of the role's advantages and key considerations, helping you determine if this exciting career path aligns with your aspirations.

The Opportunity: Leading Excellence at Waitrose

As a Team Manager, you will be at the heart of daily operations, embodying the distinctive Waitrose commitment to "passionate Partners serving food lovers." This is a highly influential role, allowing you to directly impact both your team and the customer experience.

Advantages of this Role:

• Empowering Leadership Role: You will be a vital positive role model, inspiring and motivating your team to deliver outstanding, Partner-led customer service that is distinctively Waitrose. Your leadership will directly foster customer loyalty and brand reputation.
• Comprehensive Retail Management Experience: This position offers a holistic view of shop management. You'll oversee day-to-day operations, honing your commercial skills to maximise sales and profit, manage availability and merchandising, and ensure an efficient, legal, and secure store environment.
• People-Centric Leadership: Beyond operational tasks, you'll engage in crucial people management, from leading and inspiring to practical tasks like holiday scheduling and absence management. This includes fostering a supportive culture of care, belonging, pace, and productivity.
• Impactful Change Management: You will play a key role in leading and embedding change within your shop, showcasing your ability to guide teams through evolution and maintain consistent performance.
• Unique Partnership Model: As part of the John Lewis Partnership, you become a co-owner – a Partner. This means sharing in the responsibilities, rewards, and successes of the UK's largest employee-owned business. You have a voice and contribute to a collective future.
• Support for Work-Life Balance: The Partnership values its Partners' well-being, offering support for flexible working arrangements, including flexible or compressed hours, job sharing, or shorter hour contracts where possible.
• Competitive Compensation: With an annual salary range of £30,500.00 - £42,500.00, this permanent, full-time role offers a solid foundation for career progression.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

While highly rewarding, this role also presents specific challenges and demands that candidates should carefully consider:

• Demanding Operational Environment: This is a fast-paced role that requires significant resilience. You'll often oversee the entire shop operation, necessitating excellent multitasking and problem-solving skills under pressure.
• Significant Time Commitment: The full-time nature (37.5 hours) includes early starts, late finishes, evenings, and weekends. Candidates must be prepared for a schedule that deviates from traditional office hours.
• High Responsibility for People Management: You'll be responsible for inspiring, developing, and managing a team, including sensitive tasks like supporting with disciplinary and grievance processes (desirable, but indicative of the scope). Strong emotional intelligence and communication are paramount.
• Adaptability to Change: The retail landscape is constantly evolving. Your ability to demonstrate resilience and plan your team's response to change is essential for success.
• Location-Specific Role: This particular opportunity is based in Bagshot (Waitrose & Partners), 150-152 London Road, Bagshot, London Road, Berkshire, GU19 5DG. Candidates should ensure this location is suitable for their commute and lifestyle.
• Essential Skills Requirements: Successful candidates will need a proven track record of leading teams in fast-paced, customer-focused environments, strong people management and communication skills, and an innate passion for retail.

Who Should Apply?

This role is ideally suited for ambitious individuals with a genuine passion for retail and a proven ability to lead and inspire. If you thrive in dynamic environments, are driven by delivering exceptional customer service, and are eager to contribute to an employee-owned business where your voice truly matters, then this Team Manager position at Waitrose & Partners could be an exceptional step in your career journey.

Embrace the chance to make a real difference, grow your leadership capabilities, and become a valued Partner in a business committed to building a happier world. The John Lewis Partnership offers a truly unique environment where you can belong, thrive, and contribute to collective success.