What does a Supermarket Assistant do?

It takes all kinds of people to make retail operations run smoothly, and our Supermarket Assistants are no expectation. They are at the heart of daily life in any Waitrose & Partners shop.

They’re the friendly faces that bring the Waitrose difference to life. Passionate Partners serving food lovers, always going the extra mile by helping customers find what they need and ensuring the shop is always ready for showtime.

That means combining a few key ingredients; a passion for great tasting food, a spark for great customer service and the ability to complete the practical tasks around the shop. You could be stocking the fresh fruit shelves in the morning, helping a customer choose the perfect cheese for their dinner party in the afternoon, and processing On-demand grocery (ODG) deliveries before the shop closes.

At Waitrose, our Supermarket Assistants are more than just colleagues, they’re Partners — co-owners in the UK’s largest employee-owned business. That means your voice matters, you share in our profits, and you’re supported to develop your skills and career.

What Are the Duties of a Supermarket Assistant?

Supermarket Assistants keep the shop running smoothly and see that every customer leaves feeling better than when they arrived. At Waitrose & Partners, depending on the section you work in, your duties might include:

• Helping customers – answering questions, finding products, offering recommendations as a food lover yourself and all round offering the best customer service possible.
• Stocking shelves – making sure shelves and fixtures are tidy, well-stocked, and neatly displayed.
• Behind the counter – setting up and maintaining specialised counters such as bakery, deli, meat, or fish.
• Operating tills – serving customers quickly and accurately at the checkout and self-checkout.
• On Demand Grocery – get everything sorted for customers at home by accurately picking their orders ready for to be delivered. That might be our own deliveries but also groceries on demand such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats that need to get sorted fast.
• Reducing wastage – following product due diligence and markdowns when something is reaching its sell-by-date.
• Receiving and unpacking deliveries – ensuring products are stored and rotated correctly.
• Keeping your Waitrose shop clean and safe – following food safety and health & safety procedures.

Some roles focus more on customer service, others on behind-the-scenes organisation, but most have a mix of both.

If you have a driving license, then you even bring more variety to your day by taking the Waitrose service out directly to customers by doing home deliveries as well. Take a look at our Customer Delivery Driver roles to learn more.

Is a Supermarket Assistant a Good Job?

Yes — especially at Waitrose & Partners. Here’s why:

• You’re part of a co-owned business – as a Partner, you share in the success of the business through a range of benefits that include 5 exclusive hotels, discounts, and much more.
• You work in a supportive team – colleagues are friendly, helpful, and share a sense of pride in their work.
• You get to grow your skills – with our Partnership Academy that offers learning and development, and clear pathways to take your career in retail further.
• You get flexibility – to fit your shifts around your life and the moments that matter.
• You make a difference – every customer conversation is a chance to brighten someone’s day.
• Food to feel good about – you can be passionate about the amazing products we sell which are all ethically and sustainably sourced. We take great pride and care in making this our number one priority. It’s why we’ve won more Compassion in World Farming awards than any other supermarket.

What Skills Do You Need as a Supermarket Assistant?

You don’t need specific qualifications or experience to join Waitrose as a Supermarket Assistant, but there are strengths that will help you thrive:

• Great customer service – being friendly, clear, and approachable with customers and team members.
• Teamwork – working well with other Partners to keep everything running smoothly.
• A love for food – Helping customers find the products they love and recommending the ones they are yet to try.
• Eye for detail – noticing proactively when shelves need restocking or products need rotating.
• Time management – keeping on top of tasks during busy periods and arriving promptly for shifts.
• Ready for anything – switching between jobs and problem-solving on the go.

We’ll give you all the training you need, so enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are more important than prior experience.

How old do you have to be to be a supermarket assistant at Waitrose?

If you’re still in education, part-time roles can fit around your studies and give you valuable work experience while earning.

You’ll need to be at least 16 years old by the start of the new school year to work as a Supermarket Assistant. For more information, please visit here.

Some roles, such as night shifts, or combination roles where you also drive deliveries, have a higher minimum age of 18 due to the nature of the tasks involved.

What Makes a Good Supermarket Assistant?

At Waitrose, we look for someone who…

• Absolutely loves food, knows our products inside and out and can forge emotional connections with customers who are food-lovers too!
• Feel pride in keeping the shop looking its best, treating it as a shop-keeper and co-owner.
• Look out for the other Partners in your team with energy and a can-do attitude.
• Stays calm and helpful, even when the shop is busy.
• Understands you’re a co-owner, that can raise your voice and have a real impact on the way things are done at every level of the John Lewis Partnership.

Shares our vision of building a happier world for everyone — our people, our communities and the wider world.

We value kindness and professionalism as much as practical skills — having a genuine care for people goes a long way.

What Does a Day in the Life of a Supermarket Assistant Look Like?

Every day is different, but here’s an example of what your shift might involve:

Morning – Arrive before the shop opens to help the e-commerce team with deliveries, unpack goods, replenish bags around the shop and get fresh produce and bakery items on the shelves ready for customers.

Midday – Serve customers at the tills, answer questions on the shop floor, and restock shelves when needed.

Afternoon – Prepare displays for evening shoppers, tidy the shop, and check that all products are in date and correctly labelled. Prevent wastage by reducing items getting close to their sell-by-date.

You’ll be on your feet and moving around for much of your shift. It’s active, sociable work that keeps the day moving quickly. On average, Supermarket Assistants can walk 20,000 steps in a day!

Convenience Store Jobs at Little Waitrose

If you’re independent, have a broad set of skills and crave an even faster pace that keeps you on your toes, then you might be looking for convenience store jobs at a Little Waitrose & Partners.

You’ll bring customers the passionate, proactive and smart service we’re known for — right where they need it. In return you’ll work with a close-knit team and enjoy all our same Partner benefits as in a larger shop.

How Many Hours Do Supermarket Assistants Work?

Supermarket Assistant jobs at Waitrose could see you work full-time, part-time, or seasonal shifts. It all depends on what the team is looking for. We do our best to offer flexible working for all Partners that can help them achieve a good work/life balance.

• Part-time roles can range from 8–20 hours a week.
• Full-time roles are usually around 35–39 hours a week.

Shifts can be during the day, in the evening, or overnight (for replenishment roles). The flexibility makes it a popular choice for students, parents, and anyone wanting to balance work with other commitments.

What Experience Do You Get as a Supermarket Assistant?

Roles in our shops are a great way to build skills and confidence that can take you into other areas of retail, customer support, or even Head Office roles. You’ll gain:

• Customer service skills that are valued in almost every industry.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, team-based environment.
• Knowledge of stock management, food safety, and health & safety procedures.
• The ability to stay organised and efficient during busy periods.

At Waitrose, many Partners start as Supermarket Assistants and go on to roles as team leaders, managers, product specialists, or even into our Head Office teams.

Since 2017, we’ve seen over 5,000 Partners sign up for apprenticeships that have taken them to new specialities such as marketing, buying, merchandising or even design. With a Supermarket Assistant role, you could go beyond a convenient flexible opportunity that fits around your life right now to find a springboard for your future career.

For many, it’s not just a job. It’s the start of a career in retail with one of Britain’s most respected supermarket brands. There are so many ambitious career stories within all corners of the Partnership, from running our shops to beyond in Head Office, that started right here — sharing a passion for food on the shop floor.

Thinking about joining us? Explore our latest Waitrose Supermarket Assistant roles now and see how you could become part of helping people feel good about food every day.