Posted 7 days ago

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Argos Shift Manager

Sainsbury’s
Pay Estimated pay: £27.5k-37.5k per year

Location Merseyside, CH62 3PN, United Kingdom
Contract time Part time

The Breakroom Take

6.3

Rated 6.3 out of 10, based on 5,923 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz

See all job reviews

  • 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

Job Description

About the role:

Argos Shift Managers are responsible for managing shifts within our Argos stores, inspiring and motivating teams and being the go - to people for on-the-job support. They coach colleagues in store to ensure everyone can deliver brilliantly for our customers whilst also working alongside the team. Often, they'll get to lead the full store operation in the absence of the Store Manager, ensuring the resource is allocated to deliver day to day tasks such as organizing the warehouse, taking deliveries and serving our customers. They're experts in our products and services focusing on driving sales and profitability.

What makes a brilliant Argos Shift Manager:

Has experience of organising, running, and planning for, a fast-paced operation.

Is comfortable directing a team, providing day to day coaching and on the spot guidance to support the delivery of brilliant experiences for both colleagues and customers.

Support the Store Manager in ensuring the store is safe and compliant.

Demonstrates strong commercial awareness such as having product knowledge. An Argos Shift Manager should use this commercial awareness to really understand our customers to drive sales.

Can work towards and deliver KPIs with the aim of driving profitability for the store

Has a growth mindset, continuously develops and helps others to grow.

What we offer:

We truly value our colleagues and provide a market-leading benefits package:

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% of your contributions and if you change your pension plan, you may receive more from us.

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.

Map

Merseyside, CH62 3PN, United Kingdom

A map of the rough location for this vacancy

What employees say

Pay

    Good
  • Most people are paid a living wage

    Do Sainsbury’s pay shift 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 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 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
  • Most people are paid market rates

    Do Sainsbury’s pay shift managers market rates?

    Most people are paid above average for their job.

    How we know this

    74% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.

    Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 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 shift managers at Sainsbury’s get paid breaks?

    Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.

    How we know this

    38% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.

    Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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 shift managers sick pay?

    Yes. Most people get proper sick pay.

    How we know this

    77% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.

    Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people do unpaid extra work

    Do shift managers at Sainsbury’s do extra work that they don't get paid for?

    Yes. Lots of people do unpaid extra work.

    How we know this

    79% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.

    Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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
  • Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts

    How much notice do shift 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

    • 13% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
    • 22% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
    • 39% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
    • 26% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.

    Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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
  • Only some people get a choice of shifts

    Do shift 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

    61% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.

    Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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
  • Can be hard to change shifts

    How easy is it for shift managers at Sainsbury’s to change shifts?

    Some people find it hard to change shifts.

    How we know this

    53% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.

    Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2023 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 shift managers to book a holiday at Sainsbury’s?

    Most people find it easy to book holiday.

    How we know this

    82% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.

    Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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.

  • Good
  • Shifts don’t get changed at short notice

    Do Sainsbury’s managers change shift managers shifts at short notice?

    Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice.

    How we know this

    74% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minute.

    Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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 shift managers to take sick leave at Sainsbury’s?

    Some people find it hard to take sick leave.

    How we know this

    55% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.

    Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 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.

  • Needs improving
  • Most parents say it’s bad

    Is working as shift managers at Sainsbury’s good if you have caring responsibilities?

    Most parents and carer say this is a bad place to work.

    How we know this

    70% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.

    Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between December 2022 and November 2024.

    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

    Good
  • Most people feel treated with respect

    Do shift managers at Sainsbury’s feel treated with respect by their managers?

    Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.

    How we know this

    81% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.

    Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 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.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t get proper breaks

    Do shift managers at Sainsbury’s get proper breaks?

    Most people don’t get proper breaks.

    How we know this

    83% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.

    Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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 shift managers to work at Sainsbury’s?

    Most people feel stressed here.

    How we know this

    79% of people say they often feel stressed at work.

    Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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.

  • Okay
  • Only some people enjoy their job

    Do shift managers at Sainsbury’s enjoy their jobs?

    Only some people enjoy their job.

    How we know this

    53% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.

    Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between June 2023 and April 2025.

  • Okay
  • Only some people recommend their team

    Do shift managers at Sainsbury’s recommend working with their team?

    Only some people recommend working with their team.

    How we know this

    50% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.

    Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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
  • Only some people get enough training

    Do shift managers get enough training when they start at Sainsbury’s?

    Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.

    How we know this

    58% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.

    Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get support to progress

    Are shift managers given support to progress at Sainsbury’s?

    Only some people are given support to progress here.

    How we know this

    In the last year, 43% of people report not 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 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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
  • Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening

    Do shift 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

    96% 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 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2023 and February 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
  • Most people feel well informed by head office

    Do shift 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

    77% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.

    Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 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.

Find out more about working at Sainsbury’s

What Sainsbury’s employees say about their job

  • Best thing

    It on most days is a straightfoward shift

    Worst thing

    the workload can be overwhelming some days

    7.5

    Customer assistant at Sainsbury’s, March 2025

  • Best thing

    Being able to talk to new people

    Worst thing

    Night shifts and never got proper training.

    6.8

    Trading assistant at Sainsbury’s, March 2025

See more reviews
  • Best thing

    The colleagues I work with.

    Worst thing

    Management ruin the job for us. We are completely forgotten about, treated with no respect whatsoever.

    5.0

    Trading assistant at Sainsbury’s, February 2025

  • Best thing

    Discount.

    Worst thing

    Customers are often very rude and impatient. Sometimes even threatening. Staff schedule is always poor with often times of lack of staff at busy times. Only shut on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, Boxing Day is never busy and most other companies are shut on Boxing day. Near impossible to have holiday off in December. Uber Eats and Deliveroo and other similar type orders should be completely separate department. Due to the immense stress it causes staff including dealing with rude and impatient drivers who arrive way too early to collect order before its finished being collected off shelves and packed.

    5.5

    Customer service assistant at Sainsbury’s, January 2025

  • Best thing

    The team is the best thing, other staff members are friendly and kind.

    Worst thing

    Shift Managers can not manager, they do not get trained properly, they basically are just highly paid store colleagues. There is no consistency, no proper training, communication is terrible, no care towards colleagues, lots of posters about inclusivity, well being however this does not happen. Majority of colleagues are unhappy with their shifts, there is no work - life balance. Moral is low. The Senior Management have no idea of what goes on, they do not manage anything professionally.

    5.5

    Shift trading assistant at Sainsbury’s, January 2025

  • Best thing

    Amazing people, really nice company, they appreciate the little people

    Worst thing

    Stress, too much unpaid overtime

    6.4

    Manager at Sainsbury’s, January 2025

  • Best thing

    The day goes quick and you work with great people

    Worst thing

    Some customers can be rude, can get busy and May feel repetitive doing the same things and every y day.

    7.0

    Store assistant at Sainsbury’s, December 2024

  • Best thing

    Good pay for a 16 year old

    Worst thing

    Not much, sometimes it can feel repetitive being on the same aisle and some colleagues are frustrating

    7.3

    Trading assistant at Sainsbury’s, December 2024

  • Best thing

    Working with friends and being busy meaning I am not bot

    Worst thing

    Starting at 4am

    6.7

    General assistant at Sainsbury’s, December 2024

  • Best thing

    Nice team, fun to learn new operations

    Worst thing

    Lack of appreciation and accountability from others

    7.7

    Retail manager at Sainsbury’s, November 2024

  • More reviews from Sainsbury’s employees

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