Vacancy Introduction

Exciting Opportunity at our NEW Woodbridge Road Store!

Shortly we will be opening our brand new branch on Woodbridge Road in Ipswich - replacing our nearby Brunswick Road store with a larger, more modern space designed to deliver an improved shopping experience. As we prepare to open in June, we’re now looking for a passionate and experienced Team Manager to join us on a 6-month fixed-term basis. This is a great opportunity to help lead a team through the opening of a brand-new store, help shape the customer experience, and ensure a smooth transition for our colleagues.

You will work alongside the Branch Manager to drive high standards and excellent service in branch, meeting the needs of our customers and maximising opportunities for success! We believe this is best achieved through having a skilled, engaged, and diverse team.

Food retail is fast-paced and constantly evolving; you are unlikely to have two days the same and this is what makes working in our stores exciting! You don’t need to have worked in this environment before, but you’ll need to show that you can adapt, prioritise, and make quick, smart decisions. 

We are truly local, so you can work safe in the knowledge that you will be fully supported by nearby store and Head Office colleagues, as well as your in-store team.

Want to know more? Take a look at our job description for the role here.

Our working patterns are non-contractual. Any advertised working pattern represents the normal working pattern for the role at time of advertisement and may be subject to change.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading your team and getting involved with all aspects of people management
• Deputising for your Branch Manager (there may be times when you will be in sole charge of the store)
• Ensure that your branch is at the top of its game, offering great standards and delivering excellent customer service
• Make sure that your branch is operating safe and legally
• Build relationships with other stores and colleagues and the local community
• Promoting membership

The person we are looking for 

• Previous leadership experience
• Ability to support and motivate others Flexible, hard-working, and confident
• Great interpersonal and communication skills
• Friendly, with a genuine commitment to great customer service

Perks of the job

At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential. How do we do this?  

• Competitive rates of pay
• 20% discount in our food stores, along with other discounts across our family of businesses
• 22 days holiday (plus bank holiday entitlement) which increases with service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Death in service benefit
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements*
• Opportunities to grow, with award-winning training and apprenticeship programmes
• Great discounts, deals, and cashback across over 900 high street and online retailers
• Financial wellbeing support, including Wagestream®
• Access to Cycle To Work, Rental Deposit Scheme, and SmartTech (after a qualifying period)
• Employee Recognition Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Free remote GP service, available 24/7, including prescription, fitness, nutrition, and counselling services
• Employee Assistance Programme

We recognise the challenges people face trying to balance commitments both in and out of the workplace - perhaps studying, caring commitments, or other employment. We therefore aim to be as flexible as possible, to create shift patterns that work for both our co-op and our colleagues.

* Enhanced on statutory terms, subject to service criteria.

East of England Co-op