Food Manager

Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd; Belfast; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retail chain is seeking a Food Manager for their Belfast location. This role involves coaching teams to uphold high standards, ensuring compliance and exceptional customer service. Applicants should have experience in operational management and leadership within fast-paced environments. The position offers a competitive salary, performance-based annual bonuses, and various employee benefits, including discounts, pension contributions, and wellbeing support.

Benefits

10-15% shopping discount

Annual bonus scheme

Free food and hot drinks

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension matching

Wellbeing support

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Previous line-management responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven success in delivering against performance indicators.
• Experience in managing complex people matters.

Responsibilities

• Role-modeling and coaching high standards across the whole food hall.
• Managing compliance to processes and customer service.
• Assuming overall responsibility for running the store.

Skills

Customer service

Team leadership

Performance management

Operational efficiency

Problem-solving

Job description

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.

What you’ll be doing

• Role‑modeling and coaching for high standards and efficiency across the whole food hall.
• Managing compliance to processes while bringing a passion and flair for great shopkeeping and customer service.
• Ensuring every customer gets the food they want, helping to ensure we are the first choice for food.
• People management – managing performance and capability, conducting disciplinaries and ensuring scheduling and pay are accurate.
• Assuming overall responsibility for running the store at times, giving direction and support to all colleagues 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 KPIs or other performance indicators.
• Can manage disciplinaries, performance issues or other similar employee‑relations matters.
• Leads operations and is comfortable doing this 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 operational setting – whether in retail, food service or hospitality – overseeing daily operations, solving business problems and keeping 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, making a measurable difference.
• Experience managing complex people matters, including performance, absence and formal employee‑relations cases, with confidence and fairness.

Working for us has great rewards

Salary will be dependent upon your experience as well as the store size, complexity and location. In addition, we offer a 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, increasing 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 performance and yours.
• Free food and hot drinks 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.
• Cycle to Work scheme – 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, our 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 team effectively. Internal colleague networks ensure true representation, help identify and remove barriers, and support development opportunities, mentorship, training and career progression pathways. We 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.

Salary: 31,450, Location: West Belfast Store, Belfast, BT11 9AB, Contract type: Permanent, Business area: Retail, Closing date: 24 January 2026, Requisition ID: 400045770