Customer and Trading Manager - Small Supermarket
Sainsbury’s
Estimated pay: £28.9k-39.2k per year
Lymm, Cheshire, WA13 9PR, United Kingdom
Full time
The Breakroom Take
- Pays all ages fairly
- Recommended by students
- Proper breaks
About Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s is the third largest supermarket chain in the UK.
Job description from Sainsbury’s
It couldn't be easier to develop an amazing retail management career with Sainsbury's. Our small format supermarkets are the perfect size to help you develop all the skills you'll need - and more.
You'll be responsible for everything that happens instore during your shift; and great training will give you the confidence to lead your team, plan resources effectively and ensure customers are always delighted.
What you'll be doing
Our purpose is that driven by our passion for food, together we serve and help every customer.
You'll run the shift during the day, managing your team's performance and time, demonstrating a decisive, organised and inclusive approach. Reporting into the Store Manager, you and the small team of other managers will be planning in advance including shift patterns, product availability and busy times throughout the day so that those essential products are there for our customers and everything runs like clockwork. And at the end of every shift, you'll give a thorough handover to the next Manager.
We'll give you the time and space you need to do all that properly. Because when our teams work really well together, our customers notice.
Who you are
This is a great way to begin your management career in retail, or to develop the skills you already have and make them first-class. Our customers are always looking for that something extra special instore, and your ability to guide, motivate and inspire your team of colleagues will be key to achieving that.
Our structure gives clear management presence across the full range of opening hours so that our customers and colleagues always feel able to ask for help or offer solutions when things aren't going so well. You'll ultimately be accountable for making everything as good as it can be. We're an award-winning diverse employer so you'll nurture a team where everyone feels supported to be themselves.
How you can develop
When joining us you will receive a clear induction and orientation alongside a training plan specific to your needs that you'll build alongside your manager. They will support and coach you to deliver great performance, whilst having plenty of time to develop.
There are plenty of opportunities for you to stretch and develop your skills so just let us know when you're ready to take on more. Remember, you'll be part of the Sainsbury's team so you'll never, ever be short of options.
What we'll give you
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, including:
- Discount card - 10% discount off on your 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.
- Free food and hot drinks provided for Colleagues in all our stores.
- Generous holiday entitlement, maternity and paternity leave.
- Pension - we'll match 4-7% 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.
- Our Cycle to Work scheme gives you the opportunity to hire a new bike and cycling equipment, whilst saving on tax and NI.
- Special offers on gym memberships, restaurants, holidays, retail vouchers and more.
Click 'apply' to start your Sainsbury's journey
Job insights from Breakroom
Retail store and shop managers
Retail managers look after stores, staff and sales ensuring that targets are met
What you’ll do as a retail store and shop manager
- Serve and advise customers
- Look after staff and rotas
- Manage deliveries and stock
- Handle customer payments, complaints, returns and refunds
- Keep the store clean and tidy
- Be responsible for sales targets and goals
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Dealing with customers
- Standing
- Using a computer
- Wearing a uniform
- Physical activities
- Managing people
- Anti-social hours
What employees say
Pay
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Good
-
Most people are paid a living wage
Do Sainsbury’s pay managers enough to live on?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
95% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
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Most people are paid market rates
Do Sainsbury’s pay managers market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
80% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Okay
-
Only some people get paid breaks
Do managers at Sainsbury’s get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
35% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 65 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Good
-
Most people get sick pay
Do Sainsbury’s pay managers sick pay?
Yes. Most people get proper sick pay.
How we know this
94% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
-
Some people do unpaid extra work
Do managers at Sainsbury’s do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
56% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
-
Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do managers get of their shift pattern at Sainsbury’s?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 14% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 21% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 47% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 19% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do managers at Sainsbury’s get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
45% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for managers at Sainsbury’s to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
43% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for managers to book a holiday at Sainsbury’s?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
80% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
-
Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Sainsbury’s managers change managers shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
41% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 56 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
-
Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for managers to take sick leave at Sainsbury’s?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
38% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working as managers at Sainsbury’s good if you have caring responsibilities?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
44% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do managers at Sainsbury’s feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
84% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do managers at Sainsbury’s get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
63% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 65 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
-
Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for managers to work at Sainsbury’s?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
77% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
-
Most people enjoy their job
Do managers at Sainsbury’s enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
71% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do managers at Sainsbury’s recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
46% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 65 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do managers get enough training when they start at Sainsbury’s?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
36% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Good
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Most people get support to progress
Are managers given support to progress at Sainsbury’s?
Most people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 69% of people report being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do managers think Sainsbury’s head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
83% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Good
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Most people feel well informed by head office
Do managers feel well informed about how Sainsbury’s is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
94% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 65 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Sainsbury’s employees say about their job
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Best thing
It on most days is a straightfoward shift
Worst thing
the workload can be overwhelming some days
Customer assistant at Sainsbury’s, March 2025
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Best thing
Being able to talk to new people
Worst thing
Night shifts and never got proper training.
Trading assistant at Sainsbury’s, March 2025
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About this pay
CloseEstimated pay
This pay estimate is based on data from 66 Sainsbury’s employees who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.
Take the Breakroom Quiz to compare your job.