store manager

retail supervisor

retail sales associate

shop manager

assistant manager

Farmfoods Ltd

Overview.

Normal day at work for me was to start at half past 6 complete defrosts normally around 2 - 3. Check and remove produce and chilled out of dates or unfit items. clean the front of the store. open store at 8am, serve on the tills, delivery gets to the store around 9am-12am, get 2-3 frozen palettes out then one chilled and then dry can vary between 4 and 11 can be less or more.

Sounds normal right?... wrong.

The store is a complete disaster! hours are being cut due to the introduction of 'Productivity', there's barely anyone in to put the stock out you will have 2-3 people on till all day and will only have 1 or 2 putting stock out. 
Palettes get rolled over for the next day due to staff being so exhausted working in extreme conditions to get the day semi completed!

Management.

Its almost impossible to get the day done properly at all because the manager likes to spend the whole day in the back of the store. He likes to load trolleys with stock wheel them out on the shop floor, put one box out then returns to sitting out back. 
The manager doesn't take notice of what stock is left outside or in the backup chiller, so he likes to order one of each item or none at all; this in result creates huge amounts of extra stock in the small storage facilities and masses of wasted stock for chilled and produce (which affects the shrinkage resulting in stock takes ever fortnight on a Saturday, this is compulsory to attend).

Assistant manager and supervisors are treated like slaves who have to correct and sort out the managers errors. Before the manager was at this store the poor assistant manager and supervisors had to run the store all by them selves extremely understaffed and wasn't offered no help at all. The assistant manager has ended up ill many times because she's had to do over her contracted salary hours (which she doesn't get paid for) just to keep some items on the shelves.

Area managers and divisional managers.

Since working at the company I have had 3 different divisional managers and 5 different area managers (also 4 different normal managers) this is all in the short course of 1 year and 5 months. Staff in all types of positions in the company leave because they are just treated like a poor defenceless hamster stuck in a small cogged wheel that's meant to power a huge windmill!!

In essence when you do actually have an area/divisional manager they say they are there for you and 'yadda yadda', but in all fact there not. They will make you promises and lie plain faced to you to make you jump for them! 

The disrespect.

I was told by the past manager (before the current one working there now)) that I would be able to progress to supervisor role. Which in all honesty made me gain all trust back in  the company as I felt I had finally been noticed for the hard work I had done. I had started being trusted with the chilled section where I was able to do orders and re-merchandise the stock, I finally had felt id be able to progress and be moved to a different store to go up in ranks.

It was soon later decided that my manager was getting moved to a big store and we was getting there new one. I thought I would give him a chance as its a new store and stuff like that.

VILATIONS OF WORKING RIGHTS.

I ended up getting into an argument with the new manager because I was put in the rota for a Sunday shift.
 I explained that I didn't work on Sundays and never did as it was agreed upon in my interview, according to the manager what was stated in my interview for what days I work and don't work is not valid and I would have to work whatever shift I was given.
What he said actually VILATES MY RIGHTS as they are not aloud to change your contract unless it is agreed upon by the employer and the worker legal action could be taken over this matter; he later stated that everyone would have to work what they were told but certain people would not have to. so basically who ever he likes gets what they want.
I mentioned to him about my progression and he rudely said that I would not be able to progress for a promotion at the store and never would be able to even though I was going to be promoted at some stage to go to another store. 
This finally hit the last stepping stone for me as I felt cheated and as if I was just a donkey doing all the cover and the progression for nothing.

Staff.

The staff at this store are split into two factions, the people who keep to them selves and the people who try to make your life a living misery. The staff will talk about you behind your backs, make rumors about you which isn't true, lie to management about you and try and get you sacked to make there own benefit.

Stock takes and working past when your meant to finish.

At Farmfoods you have to attend stock takes every 2-3 weeks on a Saturday whether you like it or not. The dates for these change all the time so you wont be able to make plans (well you can't make plans anyway because your not on a set rota, its like looking at stock and shares charter!). some people get away with not attending because there the "favoured few". Also if your a young adult and applying for this job and your parents like you to complete your studies on time, well.... say goodbye to that because if your not finished by the time your shift finishes your made to stay till all the stock take is done. (stock take finishes at 9pm)

Conclusion.

In all honesty I never read the reviews about this firm, but I really wish I did! I wasted my whole time there for absolute nothing! 
Feel free to apply for it but you will seriously regret it, everyone leaves the company as the working conditions is like being,....

A FORCED FOREIGN LABOURER IN THE 3RD REICH!

please heed my warning and stay away!!!

I was an assistant manager with Farmfoods for 5 years, if it wasn't for their increasing number of store closures I would still be working for them.
The store in Scotland I was at was put up for sale by the landlord, Farmfoods denied all knowledge of any pending lease termination, and knowing of 2 prior store closures earlier in the year with virtually no staff being transferred to other branches, I left before the day comes when they give the staff 2 weeks notice of the closure which will happen.

As a member of management you have very little in the way of management responsibility, area managers carry out all the staff recruitment and disciplinary procedures, meaning all you have to do is train and organise your very small team of staff, shove a broom up your backside, grow an extra 2 pairs of arms, learn to levitate so that you never have to stand,kneel or sit on the freezer lids to get to the 1.5m tall shelves behind them.

Only a slight deviation from the truth, but reality is the term Manager is wholly glorified and any in store management team member with Farmfoods is essentially just a Keyholder with responsibility for keeping the store open and carrying out the ordering and money functions, the rest of the time you are a cleaner / general assistant.
There are only progression opportunities in Farmfoods if you either severely suck up to the higher management or if you have only recently been employed by them and more likely have a degree, their past history of internal progression is long gone with the regime changes made within the company over the last 2 years.

You often feel like your banging your head against a brick wall trying to get your area manager to deal with staff discipline issues even when you have pages of documentation to justify formal investigations, there is no structure in the stock control system, stores are blamed for all shrinkage even though the majority comes from the warehouse before the stock is even loaded onto the delivery trucks so you stock take a bare minimum of once a month, though often more frequently than once a fortnight.

In terms of the people you work with, it was great in the days when you could handpick the staff yourself and deal with any issues that arose, unfortunately since Area Managers have been given recruitment responsibility it was very much an increasing tend to end up with useless staff that you had no power to deal with, and an area manager that couldn't be bothered dealing with, an example of this, one particular staff member, employed by area manager, refused to work overtime, had 5 mystery shopper visits all of which had poor results due entirely to their poor customer service, even though area manager vented his frustrations to us as management in the store he never dealt with this individual at all!

Likewise most Area Managers in the company are straight out of University with no experience at all of working in a Farmfoods store, so the common scenario, they present you with a task which should take "10 minutes", in reality it usually takes at least 4 hours.

It's hard work, you build a great sense of community through most stores being at the heart of the areas where they are situated which leads to massive numbers of regular customers who you all tend to become friendly with, on the most part you can build a strong dependable team in the stores.

So on the whole it can be a great place to work, it can be a really bad place to work, it is the luck of the draw, the lack of structure and consistency among management across all levels is a major hindrance to their corporate growth ability, and even though food retail should be the most secure sector to work in, Farmfoods offers very little in the way of long term job security

Farmfoods is an awful company to work for. They destroy your soul, your life and any kind of life you once had. The manager at the Acocks Green branch where I worked is a complete control freak who constantly threatens disciplinary action if you do not do as you're told, no questions asked. If you have a mouth, you're a trouble maker and are forced out. If you feel you are being treated unfairly then keep it to yourself, otherwise you are a trouble maker and will be forced out. If you enjoy a workplace where you can communicate with colleagues and enjoy a bit of friendly banter with customers, look elsewhere! 

Expect a work pattern? Look elsewhere. Expect to keep within legal working time regulations? Look elsewhere. Expect to be treated like a human? Look elsewhere. It has been over 4 months since I left this disgrace of a company and I am still trying to understand how and why they get away with the things they do. 

Oh and don't expect union representation if you work for Farmfoods. The unions won't go near a Farmfoods employee.

At my store we were expected to work the frozen delivery, regardless of the size, within 2 hours. Often this was to be done by 1 member of staff, whilst also providing cover for the tills. As a little "assistance" the manager would put some stock onto a flatbed trolley, wheel it onto the shopfloor as if to remind you that it needs to be worked, then disappear into the office to watch the cameras so she can tell you exactly how long you are taking to work it. 

Don't expect higher management to take your complaints seriously. They hand you a "retail handbook" which they call your "bible". This is full of rules and regulations for your employment. However don't dare try to follow them, as you will be threatened with disciplinary action and forced out of the door. I attempted to use this handbook as defence of an issue and was told by the area manager that I "think I have more rights than I actually do". A complete shambles of a company that drains the most positive soul until you are a former employee or an institutionalised robot with a touch of Stockholm Syndrome. 

On one occasion an assistant manager was told by the store manager to discipline a member of staff for opening a change bag, thus making the cashing-up process take approximately 8 seconds longer.

On another occasion a member of staff was working on the till, in mid - summer. After 5 hours on the till she asked if she could go and get a drink of water, only to be told point blank that she was not entitled to one.

The company will happily train any staff member to a supervisory level, have them doing the management's jobs (in order for management to spend more time watching the staff on the CCTV) and then never officially promote them. Minimum wage for maximum effort is the order of the day here.

The only positive I have is the healthy 15% staff discount, which is unrestricted. 

You get a break if and when the manager says you can, but don't expect one. The handbook has clear guidelines on what breaks staff are entitled to depending on the length of their shift. However, management take it upon themselves to pick and choose which rules they want to follow. Break is a dirty word in Farmfoods. 14 hour shift? Half an hour lunch, if you're lucky. Even if you are granted your break you will be timed and watched to ensure they are draining as much out of you as possible. 

I could write so much more about this awful company but I fear I would go on forever. Do yourself a favour and do not apply for a job here. You will hate it and yourself within a matter of weeks.

Tl;dr: Don't apply for Farmfoods if you believe in rights, job satisfaction or a personal life!

I have worked in Retail for quite a few years so I know first hand what to expect,but NOTHING could have prepared me for what I experienced with this company.
On my first shift I was put on the till and left there with no prior staff training.
Thankfully the electronic till is touchscreen and pretty self explanatory,but if you're hoping for any management coaching think again.
You are left on till for anything up to 8-10 hours(in most cases without ANY breaks whatsoever),If the store is busy you can ring your bell for an additional till person and no-one comes,you are constantly left without change in the till which leads to continual abuse from frustrated customers.

You are treated like less than nothing from the moment you start and even TOILET breaks are frowned upon and should you be lucky enough to be allowed one-YOU ARE TIMED!!!

And then there are your shifts-these can vary on a daily basis,so for example Monday morning you are scheduled to work from 5.30am until 2.00pm,forget it.
Your Manager will REFUSE to allow you to leave should he require you to work over,and it's not an extra hour here or there,oh no-you could be there until the store closes and after all your hard graft with no breaks do they appreciate it?NO is the answer-it's expected,nay,DEMANDED!!

Then there are the constant figures you have to memorise almost parrot fashion should you be grilled by Senior management(I.e Waste figures,profit figures,Mystery shopper scores etc..)& God help you should you forget-it will be logged on your "FOCUS ON"-which is basically the company's Criminal file they have on you(or at least that's what it feels like).
Anything and everything can be logged on this-for example you dare to say you don't enjoy your job,it's logged and disciplinary action(in most cases)follows.

And then there are the stocktakes.These are done(on average)every 3 weeks on a Saturday night although the frequency can vary depending on the accuracy of the prior count.
These are mandatory,and although the company say they only take place from 6pm to 9.30pm,you in most cases are there until midnight.

Now for the(term used very loosely)"Benefits" for working with Farmfoods.It is weekly pay and you get 15% off any purchases,however should you buy anything during your shift you have to re-print about 7-10 receipts and attach them to every item you purchase,so for example you buy a multipack of crisps-EVERY packet has to have a receipt attached.
But they don't stop there-should you purchase something from ANOTHER store on your break,they reserve the right to open your bags and throughly examine what you have.
I made the fatal mistake of buying my daughters birthday gifts on my break(Farmfoods doesn't sell toys!),but they were taken out of my bags,thoroughly examined,RECIEPTS checked and an entry on my Focus on was written!!

Should you feel like you are being victimised(as I did on a regular basis),forget about taking your grievance to your store manager.
You should remember that you count for nothing,your opinions don't matter and that you are disposable.
I had the misfortune of actually meeting the CEO of the company who visited my store who(whilst I was on my lunch break)kicked open the staff room door and shouted "YOU!" "ANSWER THAT!" At which point he threw the cordless telephone at me!

Treating employees with respect is not high on Farmfoods agenda,(although ironically it IS one of there "Core values").

So in conclusion,please do NOT work for this company!!!!!

Having read the reviews prior to joining Farmfoods I did think I shouldn't take the job offered however I did and I made the biggest mistake of my life. 
In the 5 weeks I worked there I did 60-70 hours to get trained up to run my store. Don't get me wrong, I did the after hours to benefit my knowledge however there was no acknowledgement of my commitment to succeed. 
Even though you are on a 45 hour contract I was told I would be expected to work a MINIMUM of 50. 
You are told at interview that as Store Manager you have complete control of your store in ALL aspects. Please don't be misled by this. You will have store visits from your Regional and Divisional Managers who want the store laid out to their liking. I was told by a Divisional Manager, "you'll not to argue with me" when I was explaining the reasoning for a decision. They order in huge amounts of stock that is not required and you are then criticised for having too much in the warehouse.
BIGGEST ISSUE: You are on SIX month probation. Within that six months your Regional Manager can turn up and dismiss you without any HR process to follow. The reasoning can be a personal feeling,  not facts, and you are terminated. 
Be warned: As a Manager you are expected to deliver a good stock result. Nothing unusual there. I trained in two stores in what were considered "rough" areas and they were hammered by shoplifters daily. NO CCTV, NO SECURITY. With the new police attitude to shoplifting you also get no support from them either. As a company you are told to accept all notes regardless if they are counterfeit as you are trained "we are not Forensic Police". Again this goes on to your shrinkage report and you will be criticised. 
The training package is a joke. Every store works in different ways. I the first few days I was shown the same task 3 different ways. I really felt for my new team as they were all shown different ways of working and then I was told I was to dismiss a member of staff for not being good enough. Simple fact was she was nervous around these Senior Managers and had been given 10 hours training in two days and was expected to perform like an experienced team member. 
The technology and daily work processes are backwards. The expectations from the Regional and Divisional Manager are unrealistic and you are treated like dirt. The Regional Manager deals with all HR matters as they "attend special training". Let me tell you that they don't have a clue about HR procedure. I was told to send home staff if it was quiet to save money, regardless of CONTRACTED hours. So even if the member of staff was contracted to 39 hours you get told to send them home and underpay their contract. 
The company also likes to exploit the 16-18 year old worker as they are the cheaper option. Without prejudice that is the attitude. I was clearly told that by my Regional Manager. 
There is nothing enjoyable about working for this cowboy company. They believe that they are above the law and unfortunately with Employment legislation as it is they get away with it because you have no rights until two years with the company. Most people don't last two years. 
Avoid leaving a job to work for this company as they do not look after you. This is not just at management level but all levels. This is an appalling company.

Very early starts and late finishes (4.30/5am until 10.30pm, which you may even have to work if a member of management calls in sick so cannot relieve you from your shift)

All members of management do the same job for vastly different amounts of pay. There is no differential in responsibility just the title. OK, I get that! Surely that's because they're just not quite ready to run their own store yet but they're getting an opportunity to grow? That would be wrong. Manager, assistant manager and supervisors are held accountable for the same responsibilities (as listed on an A4 sheet titled Responsibilities for Managers, Assistant Managers and Supervisors).

Store Managers are not expected to do any line management. If you have previous management experience, then you need to forget it! If you have any HR issues? Record it on 'Focus On...You!', the company's digital personnel record (this is the most advanced function of the store's computer system). You then need to flag any recurring issues to your Area Manager. He or she is unlikely to do much. I don't believe this is because of idleness but because they have so many issues to attend to.

There is no absence management, return to works, performance plans, succession planning and you will not be involved in recruitment for your store.

Stock replenishment is archaic. If your sales are £15,000, you *must* place an order to the warehouse for £15,000 based on average case values (£9 for dry goods, £12 for chilled, £15 for frozen). It doesn't matter if the store is already well stocked, you must find stuff to order. This is why you have tins stacked four or five high and frozen products above the load line (food is unsafe past this point as it cannot be guaranteed).

You must not forget that having placed that sizeable order, it must now be put out on to the shop floor the following day. So you start your day at 5am and the driver brings you 15-20 pallets of stock. Between the two or three of you this should be away by the time the store opens and by no later than lunch. Good luck with that.

Farmfoods believe that by running a store tight it can provide amazing prices. This is only true to a point. If you have an engaged workforce who are well managed you will have a better output from them and less absence.

Whilst the company does give 15% discount on purchases, which is on par with other retailers, there is little else in the way of benefits. It's worth noting a customer can get 10% off every £25 anyway even without a voucher. Just by claiming they've forgotten it.

There was talk of a bonus scheme based on three elements but this seemed highly unachievable and I was unable to get a clear picture of the elements and how to achieve (one being absence, which you are not allowed to manage).

As an under 18 on a 12 hour contract whilst in full time education this is my experience.

Summary because this is long: Pros are the benefits, customers and shifts. Cons are lack of communication, sense of belonging and work load.

Pros:
Benefits - the pay (for 16/17 y/o staff) and discount are incredible and they do have some impressively cheap stuff. 
Customers - at least at my store, the customers were almost always lovely and really enjoyed a chat. Naturally you get rude customers but most of them are just so kind and appreciative.
Shifts - when I first started working there it was just 3 × 4 hour shifts a week. I was promised a 30 minute break for every 4 hours worked and when I later asked to work longer shifts they OK'd it as long as I got adequate breaks. Earliest I had to work was 7am and latest was 10/11pm on stock take nights so pretty good if you're not a fan of night shifts.

Cons:
Lack of communication - when I first started I would always get asked before being scheduled on more hours than my contract. Later I told the manager that I had complete availability for two months. I never said that my available hours changed, just that I could work weekday shifts as well as weekends like I'd been working. They started scheduling me for weeks of work up to double my contracted hours without even asking me, which was very overwhelming. I also got my pay docked for 40 minutes because the supervisor was late so we couldn't open the shop and I was waiting outside (i don't have the keys). Store manager told me I was supposed to call them. First, no one told me I was supposed to call, read my contract and documents cover to cover and not one sentence even hinted at that. Second, this had happened before and instead I was called by a higher up manager and told to wait outside so I presumed it would be the same as last time.
Sense of belonging - as a teenager I felt really left out. All the other staff got along and talked + joked but it felt like I was expected not to speak unless spoken to. People would chat with me sometimes but overall I felt like I was walking on eggshells trying to impress management.
Work load - you're expected to run the till and stock shelves and complete tasks around the whole store at the same time. In theory this should work since you're getting stuff done when theres no customers to serve, but in practise you're just running from the back of the shop to the tills at the front every thirty seconds. It's even worse when they give you a 12 digit login that you need to input every time because you're not allowed to leave it logged in when you leave. It's all just really poorly thought out.

Compared to previous retail jobs this was a considerable improvement in job satisfaction and the consistent helpful support received from fellow retail assistants, supervisors, assistant manager and the manager.

I was made to feel very welcome and like part of the Farmfoods team from the first day of my shift and that inclusive and upbeat culture from the team was present from then until my final shift a year later. The training I received from my manager was informative, presented in a manner that was easy to understand and allowed me to pick up the tasks required of me as a retail assistant to a proficient standard very early on.

The work is physically demanding, however one of the key factors of working in the retail sector is learning to successfully adapt and to a fast paced, hard working environment. If you are content standing around doing the bare minimum then this is it not the job for you. If you're passionate about taking pride in your work, thrive in an environment where you can nurture positive professional relationships with transforming one off customers i to loyal returning regulars and enjoy putting in hard work and going home content knowing you're a valued member of a brilliant team then this is the job for you.

Overall experience: with Farmfoods: 9/10 - would recommend working there to anyine seeking a role in the retail sector

Overall experience with the Farmfoods Invergordon branch: 10/10. Have worked several jobs before and this is the first one I would wake up in the morning looking forward to going to work and leaving with a smile on my face. Thank you to all members of the team - I guarantee you that working at this branch will be a positive experience because if the positive culture nurtured within this branch in particular. 

I had worked at Farmfoods for a year and had several managers. Some were good but most were awful. The managers and area managers treat their staff horribly. People who have higher positions abuse their positions. Managers and area managers will make it really difficult for you if they are threatened by your performance. I personally left the company because I was told by the area manager that he will make sure he ,''finds something i do wrong'' and get rid of me as soon as he can. I told the regional manager and he advised me to not,''get on the bad side of the area manager as managers and area managers are harder to replace than shop floor staff''. After this issue was raised by myself I had a pre book holiday, i was told i had to cancel. I was then told i had to come in on the day of my sisters wedding even though i booked it 3 months in advance. The reason was because,''its too much effort to get cover''. After not taking ANY holidays for 7 months I had enough. I don't know why they treated me this way. Even when i wasn't in the store or on my days off I would be blamed for cash losses, missing stock, tasks not being done etc. I worked my hardest to run the store doing 50 and even 60 hours a week. I don't know if its because I was the only person of colour that worked there in the last 7 years. I ran their (Manager and area manager's) shop while they were racing around in brand new company and personally cars. If you are coloured do not even bother applying there. We have had loads of coloured people coming in and handing in C.Vs, They go straight in the bin. If you are not coloured you will have a chance but once they have you will abuse you and treat you horrible. Its a job to get when your 16 and wanting your first job. Once you are able to get out and get another job get out. The best part of the job was some of the hard retail staff. They don't realise how well they do and are not pushed to try and go higher within the company. I have seen the manager of the store scare retail staff into not wanting to progress and making it seem like what they are doing enough for they ability, making them believe they are not capable. Management team is usually people who are closest to the manager. In our store the supervisor was the managers best mate for 15 years. The area manager was the managers very close friend. They talk almost everyday and know each personally and go to socials together. Just a rubbish place to work with management who treat the staff like complete rubbish. If you have no self worth then its the place for you.

Having worked in retail for 25 years at Management level both home and abroad I started work for this group early in the year and have now left(Thank God). As a employer Farmfoods must be one of the worst companies to work for, the workload alone is unmanageable as you cant staff the stores correctly due to deliveries arriving late consistently sometimes 4-5 hours late. No compensation is given for this management are expected to work the extra hours with no chance of ever getting that time paid or returned in lieu. I was contracted to work 45 hours I did more like 60+,then there is the expectations they expect miracles but wont give you the staff to get the job done correctly. Training well to be honest there isn't any and as for the ridiculous time wasting procedures they put in place for example having to count 30-40 lines and email them to your area manager at 9pm when u have closed and he has no idea what stock you have ordered and being delivered the next day being one, never mind the constant ringing of bells you get for tasks that a cashier could perform if given the authority to do so. The support staffs general apathy towards field teams is rude the service they provide is shocking, when a piece of equipment does not works it  takes weeks to replace as they wont spend the money to get it fixed and this then puts you at a disadvantage, no consideration is made regards this. Regards pay this company takes the mick big time staff are only paid 30 mins after closing yet are there sometimes 10-20 mins extra often,as they expect you to count n cash up 4 tills, take 3-4  freezers off (this takes one person 30 mins alone), run a floor machine round the entire store another 30 min job get the trolleys in do a full green light check, more often than not with just 2 people closing as they wont pay to staff the stores to the levels needed, management working 10-14 hour days with realistically no chance of a break and god help you if a member of staff is ill then your chances of getting cover is slim to none . SECURITY what security every store I worked in there was free access from the sales floor to back areas no panic alarms in case of robbery or attacks,2 stores had been hit in my local area when staff asked about this and if these were being considered the area manager smiled and replied "they wont spend the money" this gives you some idea how valued the teams are.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Store manager 38 salaries reported	£32,572 per year
Retail supervisor 27 salaries reported	£13.11 per hour
Retail sales associate 11 salaries reported	£210 per week
Shop manager 12 salaries reported	£451 per week
Assistant manager 4 salaries reported	£31,136 per year

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