order picker

trade assistant

Sainsbury’s

Sorry for this incredibly long review :P I just like being informative. However it's quite informative, so if you're really interested about this job it's worth reading.

I worked at Sainsbury's in Kelso for 5 months as my first job from October 2015 to February. In the interview I was asked to walk around the store and take note of what I liked about the store and what I thought could be improved. The first thing you'll notice about the store is how well all the colleagues get on. My interviewer who was also a manager said it was like one big family, and it really was. All my colleagues were absolutely fantastic. There was so much good about the store... but a few bad things as well.

Ok so firstly, if you're applying for a General Assistant role thinking you'll be doing this and that and having real variety in your day's work, it's a lie. You'll be stacking shelves. All day. Maybe on a good day you'll finish all the stacking early and tidy the shelves until you finish, once i even got to replace all the shelf tickets for items that were on offer. That was fun. But it's just stacking shelves 99% of the time. 

You'll get till trained at some point, this will most likely be in the summer. It won't be until after christmas if you start any time between october and christmas, the managers wont allow it, you'll have too much stock to put out. I didn't get till trained at the same time as my other colleagues, I knew i was leaving soon and asked to be till trained to get more experience, but they trained me so if working on tills is something you're interested in, just show you're keen. Management aren't happy if there's a till call and you go to answer it, but they can't stop you, HR want colleagues on the till as much as they do in the aisles.

A typical day, as I mentioned, is stacking shelves. You'll go and clock in, before going to the shop floor and finding a manager to tell you which aisles to work in. You'll go to the back and grab a roller full of products for that aisle and put them on the shelves and flatten all the empty cardboard boxes and get another roller until you've put out all the stock for that entire aisle, before tidying up and going to find another manager to be assigned to another aisle. You get one half hour break if you work 8 hours. And thats pretty much the day, if you get everything done you'll tidy the shelves until its time to finish and throw all your cardboard into a big compressor.

The best aisles to work in imo were aisles like biscuits, soups, pasta, tea and coffee, sauces, simple stuff like that. I really enjoyed that. Pet food and cleaning, and juice, not so much. It's a lot heavier. You'll start off full of energy and enthusiasm which will slowly deplete until you're sick of your life. Juice is the second worst because every single multipack of Coke and Irn Bru etc. has burst during delivery and will be on the bottom of the roller so it doesnt leak all over the other products. Instead it will leak all over the shop floor, which you'll be expected to clean up every 2 minutes before disposing of the damaged products once you can finally reach them. If you're strong, you should handle lifting all the products for 8 hours straight no problem. If you're smaller and weaker like me then it wont be fun working in these aisles. Your back will hurt and you'll be knackered by the end of the shift. The worst aisle to work in by a few hundred country miles, is Frozen. Frozen will be the absolute nightmare of your life. If you get asked to work in Frozen, run. Just run. If you want to know what working in Frozen is like, just go to your freezer, stick your hands in, rub them along the ice for 2 hours, and once a minute take them out and try to do something involving your fingers, like undoing and doing up the button on your shirt before sticking your hands back in. That should give you a pretty good idea.  

All of my managers were fantastic and were really people you could talk to with the exception of one who just happened to be my line manager and my manager down on the shop floor most of the time. And he made my life a living nightmare. He was the most unpleasant person I've ever met, let alone had to work for. If you got an aisle done within his ridiculous targets, he couldnt care less. All he cared about was protecting his over-inflated ego. Miss his target and he will complain and moan at you for the rest of the week. He'll stand at the end of the aisle and stare at you until he can find a reason to nit pick at you, he'll talk down to you, he'll complain about the slightest thing, and he was just a complete troll. However you might be lucky and not end up with someone like him. So i'll just say management were fantastic, but be aware, there are a few demons that exist in those stores. If you do end up with one of them I'm sorry. 

But your fellow assistants, the one's you'll actually be working with, are an amazing bunch of people who you can always talk to, probably because they're as traumatized from working under that manager as you would be, so know you'd need that support. But seriously, they're amazing. If you're a social person who loves chatting people you will love this job. 

The hardest part of the job if you have a good manager will probably be the shift times. 8 hours is a long time to be on your feet all the time stacking shelves. I worked in the Twilight shift which was 4-12am, probably the worst time to be working since you're fully aware everyone else is eating food and chilling on the sofa. However this was changed to 2-10pm the day before I left as part of a trial run, which had I stayed there would've been so much better. Just a quick word of warning, on the Sainsbury's job description it says for the first week you'll be working a certain number of times. That's your shift for the whole time, not just the first week, so bear that in mind.

Pay is really good. I worked for £7.36 an hour, which is a lot for a first job. However because thats a decent amount, if you work overtime you wont be paid at a time and a half, just normal rate. That wasn't great, but overtime was available from time to time if they can see the effort you put in, which can really increase how much you earn. 

I know I've mostly moaned throughout the interview, but it's a good place to work, for a first job at least. Really. It's a simple job, with fantastic colleagues and a fantastic foundation to build your career on. Yes, you wont like it when you've been working for 7 hours and you know everyones asleep and you're hungry and surrounded by food (never a good combination) but time goes quick, you have plenty of time to think about stuff while you're working and you will get through it, especially if you're fit and strong, which i'm not. Just keep your fingers crossed you dont have a manager that's anything like the one I had and you'll be fine. If you read this entire review, I love you. Hope you guys found this helpful.

Good luck!

I've worked for Sainsbury's since 2019, and back then they were a great company, you felt valued and not just a number like it is with most large companies. Managers were friendly and welcoming and colleagues were all very helpful also.

Unfortunately Covid-19 has transformed the company in a very negative way, though they wouldn't like to admit it. Since the Panic buying and lockdown in early 2020 the company is more fussed about how much money you can make them and the amount of shifts you can cover, as in their eyes if there's a lockdown/restrictions that means you don't have anything better to do so you might as well come in and work (apparently we don't need rest days still, who knew!).

They have altered our finish times on evening shifts to almost 11pm (without asking us if we were okay with it first) and brought our start times forward on mornings to before 6am, sometimes we've had to start as early as bang on 5am (again, never asking us if we were happy to do that, it was just expected of us).

This brings me on to the new younger management, oh lord. These people couldn't hit a cow's backside with a shovel, they're so incompetent as individuals they need several managers just to run one section of the store, all contradicting each other when you ask them questions, which only adds confusion. To make it worse most of the junior level managers, the ones us lackeys tend to deal with the most, are so self absorbed in their own interests they're willing to step on each other's heads to look good and move up the ladder. To top it all off they change certain rules and methods on how to do our jobs but don't actually inform us of the changes until one of us does something we shouldn't without knowing and then all they do is jump straight to giving us a disciplinary meeting with a written warning, and they don't stop to even ask us our side of what happened. Some of us have received written warnings and disciplinaries when the problem had nothing to do with the person in question. If you were there when it happened, you're guilty until proven innocent.

Lastly, the pay. It's not awful, but it's far from good and, yes, it's good that everyone who does your job also is paid exactly the same regardless of your gender, but the downside is after you've been there for some time and gained valuable experience, you're not given any pay rises which makes you feel no more valued than the new employees, so a fresh faced employee gets exactly the same pay as a 10 year veteran and the bonuses are so small you barely notice them in your pay check, plus just having one day off sick in the last 12 months can disqualify you from receiving it.

Honestly I could go on and on about all the negatives about working for this company, but I'll just say this, only work for Sainsbury's if it's your first ever job and you just want a bit of cash while you're at college/uni, or if you're that desperate for work you've got literally no other option left.

Once I finally find another job I will be walking away and never coming back.

Originally employed to work as bakery assistant but moved over to another store to be produce colleague. It was good at first, simply put out stock, job done, go home. I asked to learn more skills and did other jobs like backdoor delivery and co-checking on fresh and bread & cakes. But as the years went by, colleagues were leaving due to life decisions but were never replaced. When they did have replacements, those replacements left after about a year or two later. We used to have career-minded people in their late 20s to people in their 50s and above that, but now we mostly have students that are working purely for the money until they graduate. The staff turnover went from low to high in just a few years. We used to have group huddles but covid-19 put an end to that, including the Christmas dinner parties we had every year. We also used to have enough staff that you did not have to work an entire aisle on your own (our store is big) but we are now struggling to finish working on our busiest weekends. Bit by bit, piece by piece, our store was falling apart because of this new way of working that was introduced in the first year i was employed there. It's a shame really, it seemed to be a decent place to work. At least most colleagues were easy to get along with, some colleagues might not speak to you at all. But in the past 2 years it's difficult to even have a small conversation with another colleague without checking behind you just in case a manager is watching.
Management used to be good, we could get along. But as management was also changing hands and cut down to size, they started struggling as well. Fewer managers but more jobs to do for each one, naturally the stress levels would also increase and a number of managers had quit after a year or just a few months in their new department. You'll often see managers doing some grunt work everyday now because they know we cannot do everything with so few people. So sometimes you'll be given jobs with unrealistic finishing times and the manager will question you why it's taking you so long. 
Day shifts are almost as bad as night shifts, due to the lack of staff, on occasion there will be work leftover from night shift for day shift to finish on top of the days jobs.
Uniform is also hard to get a hold of for some reason.
Overall it's not the worst place to work but it almost feels like working at a factory now.

Working as a delivery driver for Sainsbury's has been a highly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. From the moment I joined the team, I felt welcomed and supported, making it clear that Sainsbury's truly values its employees. The company’s commitment to fostering a positive work environment is evident in every aspect of the job, making it one of the most enjoyable roles I have had.

One of the standout aspects of being a Sainsbury's delivery driver is the sense of independence and responsibility. Every day brings new routes and new customers, which keeps the job dynamic and engaging. I appreciate the trust Sainsbury's places in its drivers to manage their own schedules and deliver goods in a timely and professional manner. This autonomy allows me to plan my day effectively, balancing work with my personal life in a way that suits me.

The company provides excellent training, ensuring that every driver is well-prepared to handle the demands of the job. From understanding the vehicle to learning how to provide exceptional customer service, the training process is thorough and equips you with all the skills needed to succeed. Sainsbury's also invests in high-quality vehicles that are not only comfortable to drive but also equipped with the latest technology to help us navigate our routes efficiently.

Customer interaction is a major highlight of the role. Sainsbury's has a loyal customer base, and being the face of the company during deliveries is an honor. The positive feedback from customers, many of whom are regulars, adds a personal touch to the job and gives a great sense of satisfaction. It’s rewarding to know that you are playing a key role in ensuring people have access to the groceries they need, especially for those who rely heavily on delivery services.

Sainsbury's also offers competitive pay and benefits, which reflect the value they place on their drivers. The work-life balance is excellent, with flexible hours that allow you to fit work around your lifestyle. Additionally, the company fosters a strong sense of camaraderie among its staff, making it easy to build relationships with colleagues and feel part of a supportive team.

Overall, being a delivery driver for Sainsbury's is a fantastic experience. The combination of autonomy, customer interaction, and a supportive work environment makes it an ideal job for anyone who enjoys driving and providing excellent service. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fulfilling and flexible career.

I worked at Sainsbury's for over 10 years and have seen a lot of changes over the years, none that a quite as disturbing as in the last 12 months. If you are lucky enough to keep hold of your job without being made redundant you will be used and taken advantage of regardless of whether you are a manager or colleague.

Work/Life balance is a dirty word, You WILL be working unsociable hours, regardless of your situation, Financial benefits are regularly stripped such as paid breaks, bonus & premiums and replaced with meaningless substitutes such as a pay rise you where going to get anyway and a vague possibility of a £5 gift card if you give good customer service (maybe) the fact you can have your phone on you and have pink hair if you want, but all this celebrated in a way you are made to feel grateful for.

Needless to say most of the younger colleagues spend most of their shift starring at their phone.

Managers are mostly incompetent and have unrealistic expectations (most have recently been made redundant and been replaced with inexperienced colleagues/ people new to the business) 

Efficiency is low, you will be either twiddling your thumbs with no direction what so ever or overworked as your manager has not bothered to plan things correctly

You will not be paid correctly as the systems do not work as intended and the managers are not trained to use them correctly, forget about raising this with your manager... you will never see him/her.

As a new starter you will receive very little training (if any) and will be just thrown straight in.

In general cost cutting is the flavour of the business and as soon as they come up with a way of doing the you job without you, you will be looking for another job.

Good Luck.

At the moment I look after the Customer Service department which includes being accountable for over 70 colleagues. I attend meetings which ensure that each manager is keeping to agreed targets to move the store forwards, and also work closely with my team leaders to ensure that the day to day running of the department is going as it should be. I am also accountable for the schedules, training and safe and legal aspects. I have learned since starting the job that it is impossible to successfully run the department by completing every aspect myself; I quickly realised that I need to delegate a lot more which would benefit the team leaders as there's more variation to their role and it would benefit me as I would then spend more quality time on the department with my colleagues. The management are team are challenging there and will always ensure that I'm one step ahead which is a great environment to be in, also as I was new to the role, they gave me sufficient support to be a success. My co-workers play a huge part in my day-to-day enjoyment of the role. Most importantly, the majority of them do a great job and what is required of them and more, although there are some that I've had to have challenging conversations with which for me has been part of the learning curve for me.The hardest of the job is trying to please all 70 colleagues on the department as well as my management peers; more often than not it was not possible, however unfortunately that's inevitable. The most enjoyable part of my job is serving someone and making a difference, whether that is helping a customer find a product or working with a colleague to book some holiday that they really want, I love being able to make that difference and go the extra mile.

Worst job ever. Patronised and micro managed at every turn. Management role turned into working cardboard and dressing shelves three times a day. No work life balance. Staff morale at an all time low, good long term colleagues desperate to leave. I was working most weekends and two to three late nights a week. Did not have a Saturday off for three years. Blame culture prevalent through all areas of the business with appointments of incompetence for new job family leaders, who are nowhere to be seen, who have been put into positions of power but without interview to do these roles. The expectation is that these people will improve the management but they are not up to the job.
Very pleased to leave a sinking and rudderless ship and I am happier now in a new job than I’ve been in five years. 
Sainsburys has lost the plot, their customers are flying out of their doors amid vast increases in prices and attitudes to customers with a skeleton staff process, which hardly is putting the customer first, with no overtime and not enough people scheduled to fulfil basic checkout tasks. Management openly state the need for self checkout to survive against the competition.   I too have joined the customer exodus and have already aligned my shopping experience elsewhere since leaving.
Just a waste of years of my working life. There is no advancement potential here, please look elsewhere. 


No two days were the same. I would have a list in my mind to complete but would have to prioritise to different situations in the day. Ie coaching a colleague on customer service, holding a meeting, interview etc.
I was a shy, quiet individual when I started, the company gave me confidence, great skills that I don’t think I would have learned elsewhere. I would have to switch from difficult conversations to light hearted ones as an example sometimes on a regular bases. It  was always a fast paced role, never dull or boring.
All my line managers have had different quirks and different ways of working, making me adaptable to theirs. 
I have had two children, my line managers have been very helpful with me working part time and changing my hours, I was very pleased as I was able to still work as well as be there for my children. The company for me has been a great experience and I have made some close friends. As a manger, we are expected to travel up o 1 hour either way. This is ok, but that would give me sometimes a13-14 hour day as it was not always possible to leave on time, making a work home life a difficult balance. 
Apart from that, I have enjoyed my time at Sainsbury’s, even with late nights, weekends, etc the role can give you different skills and help develop you as a person. My last team of peers were awesome, always looking out for each other.
I would also deputise for the store manger regularly, this would give me extra responsibilities and maybe difficult situations or queries that I would have to solve.

Management only want to see results, even if it kills you, but you your not excused for mistakes either in the process, you will get a firm telling off and a strike on your card.
Sickeness is frowned upon even genuine sickeness, management will make you feel guilty and try and get you to come to work.  You have to personally ring up everyday to report your sickness, fair do in some cases were people pretend to be sick from getting drunk the night before, but their is no consideration for genuine illness, "everyone is faking it" unless of course your management.

Sickness , every sick period, you get a strike on your name , they have a system for sickness and you will disciplined and possibly sacked. 
Very few good managers around most of them trying to climb promotional ladder and so a few people will get trampled on.
As for so claimed Sainsburys "High Standards" its just a perception that the middle classes have bought into, they are no different to any other supermarket, the others have better customer service according to national surverys.

Its ok to get you bye if you have no job, you could end up with a good manager and a good group of colleague, but every year they rotate the managers, thats all it takes to turn your happy job into a nightmare. 

Generally on the surface the company does appear to have a good persona but under the skin it is a different beast.

Started the day by finding out what stock was being delivered and at what time, I would then set out what could be done at what time. Then put stock cages along the wall in aisle order, then start the breaking down with the cages which came in the early morning, after the cages were done I would start breaking down the boards starting with the quickest to break down to keep space for free for the afternoon delivery. Once I had finished the boards I would go and put any rubbish that the night shift had collected into the skip, and collect any rubbish which had been accidently left outside. I would then check the cleaning rotor to make sure all things had been ticked and signed and if they hadn’t check they had been done and sign and tick. Then normally the afternoon delivery would turn up on the lorry, I would use the electric pallet truck to take off the pallets from the lorry and store them in the warehouse ready for breaking down in the afternoon. I would then normally take lunch if everything was going to plan. After lunch I would finish the breaking down tidy my area up. Once my area was all sorted I would head to the overs area and take the sauces/oils overs to the aisle to see what I could put out. After this I would go to my manager if she was around and another manager if mine was unavailable to see where i could help out.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Order picker 10 salaries reported	$42.83 per hour
Trade assistant 1 salary reported	$45,000 per year

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