delivery driver

market associate

team leader

replenishment associate

hospitality team member

Waitrose & Partners

I'm a HGV Class 1 driver for Waitrose Aylesford RDC and have been here for a little over a year, I didn't have a HGV license before starting but applied for the driver academy and attained my license through that. 

Whilst learning HGV on a 13 week course with 5 other trainees I went on the road with AM shift drivers every other day to see the stores and collections we visit to get an idea of what the job itself is actually like. 

We were expected to learn fast but the course is long enough that you have a fair chance at passing all the tests if you put in the effort and it really helps being trained alongside 5 other people as you can learn a lot off each other and having 3 instructors (2 pupils per instructor) it is almost like one to one training which is great as it helps the instructors know how best to teach you and they really cater the training to every trainee to give them the best chance of passing, once getting your license you will have to spend another 12 months there before you can leave without any fees to you so make sure you're aware of that before you start.

After passing all our tests we were handed over to transport where we spent a further 3 months with a buddy in the passenger seat, this is really needed as there's no pressure and plenty of time to learn the job and we were on their rotas so you're with the same driver every day and really get to know them. This was incredibly helpful as they introduced me to the other experienced drivers and it gave me plenty of time to get to know most of the routes and gain the confidence to do my driving assessment and start driving solo, but they aren't driving instructors, they won't teach you how to control a lorry as you'll be expected to already know this by then but they'll teach you how to actually do the job properly and nail reversing & navigating difficult places like London.

The atmosphere was brilliant when I started, and there's still a very strong social environment but sadly things have changed quite a bit since I first started but I'll get to that.

It's important to know that there's a lot of "banter" at our depot, which is great for morale as we spend a lot of time on our own in the trucks so you need someone to have a laugh with in-between jobs on breaks, you will need to be able to take a joke and give it back to really get the most out of it though, if you aren't somewhat thick skinned or your face doesn't fit then it'll be hard to get on with the majority of drivers which is the unfortunate truth about working here.

The managers are fair and the majority of them really do care about the drivers and will support you. I've honestly never had this from any other company I've worked for so it was a welcome surprise coming to such a large company and having management that actually look out for you.

Now onto some of the bad, the hours vary a lot and you might find some days you finish later than you'd expect, sometimes it's not anyone's fault as being in a lorry you can't cut down a random side road if the traffic is really heavy due to weight restrictions, but you get caught out sometimes and the managers know this and won't give you any grief if you're back from a delivery late and it wasn't your fault, however the planning of some jobs could be a lot better, sometimes there's nowhere near enough time to get back from a job within your rota hours and you're still expected by some staff to get on with it anyway, which is great if you like overtime, but if you don't... tough luck.

Another negative point I will say is that they advertise the company as a "partnership". Whilst there are a lot of benefits like discounts in John Lewis & Waitrose at 20% which is a very good discount, amongst other great deals on events etc and a great pension scheme, there really isn't much of a partnership feel to the place. You have no say in any of the decisions that could directly impact your job despite them saying otherwise, your partnership rep will attend regular meetings to voice your complaints or feedback but they just get ignored most of the time, so it doesn't really feel like you matter, at the end of the day you're still just a number in the system.

Where things have changed for the worse in the last year is that we used to be able to go home early on full pay provided you did 2 jobs if you are on a long day or if it was one long job that took up most of your day and it was planned that way. 

That changed a few months back and now we can only leave 1 hour early on full pay if there's nothing left for you to do, some days we might get 2 jobs done really quickly and could be left with a few hours left of your shift and you just sit around for hours waiting to go home which might not seem so bad if you're used to working your full shift, but trust me, when you're shift finishes at 2AM the last thing you want to be doing is sitting around from 10PM waiting until 1AM to go home. In my case specifically I used to be able to get 2 jobs done and go home and spend time with my partner, now most nights I come home and she's already asleep and she's up and gone to work the next morning before I wake up meaning I only spend a few hours a week with her if my days off are during the week, oh yes, you'll be working a lot of full weekends too so get used to that.

In summary, the pay for what we do is really good, and some days it really doesn't feel like you're working much for your money but it does take over your life sometimes if you aren't on a good rota which isn't great for a social life outside of work, and you'll always start off on a bad rota until you're about a year in. The pension is fantastic, you get a lot of holiday if you use it right and the managers will try and make sure you get the most out of it so you do get more time off than most places, the social environment is really good, the mangers like to crack a joke as well as the drivers and that really does make this place unique, and as someone who didn't have any HGV license beforehand it's a great first place to start to gain experience, but being in my mid 20's it's not a place I can see myself staying at for the rest of my life as there isn't any progression and quickly gets routine and same-y.

I worked at Waitrose for around 11 years.  Over that time the company has been through significant change and in my opinion (and 95% of other members of staff on the shopfloor across 2 branches) not for the better.

I think this job suits particular groups or I should say people at different life stages:

- First job for someone leaving school or bridging the gap between school and university.
- People reaching retirement age who want a bit of extra money coming in.

You essentially have a HUGE amount of disillusioned, eager and talented young people in their 20's that stick in the job while they don't know what else to do.  Tens upon tens of young people who have been trying to progress have been severely put off from progressing due to the lack of support and a mentality of "if you can't hack being a team leader then step down".  Worse than that there is never any follow up, never a meeting about why they want to and changing their strategy so they do get the support.  Instead the upper management attitude is "ah well" until someone else shows willing to dump duties on.  Team Leaders were often criticized for not getting cages clear - how is it their responsibility to make other individuals work faster?  

The shift to "Modern Waitrose",essentially;  getting more out of less people, has frustrated most of my past co workers.  You are expected to do bits of everything which is at a detriment to customer service (as people are rarely knowledgeable or competent across the different areas) where as before you knew 1 or 2 areas extremely well and could go the extra mile for the customer.  Modern Waitrose has also created an environment where managers spend more time on the computers upstairs rather than leading by example on the shopfloor, very demotivating for staff below them.  The designated floor manager basically moves people from 1 place to another where ever they are needed so it makes you feel much more of a number and an instrument to get the work done and feels utterly demoralising over the course of a shift.  Add to this the replenishment sections are always so understaffed.

But positives are that for the most part everyone is so friendly and supportive (including the managers), job is fairly secure and there is little responsibility for the pay (which is OK for retail; plus an annual bonus).  Unfortunately they will be scrapping Sunday and bank holiday additional pay and the bonus.  It is a good place to get some basic skills to move on to somewhere else as Waitrose are highly regarded as a company.  Customers are very rarely frustrating unless you are on the welcome desk.

You will be frustrated at the amount of people that say "Oh Waitrose, they are a good company to work for arnt they?" when in reality that just hasn't been the case.

This isn't a job really for the faint hearted, it can be very hard work. If you're over 45 or have any kind of health issues I really wouldn't recommend it. I also wouldn't recommend doing it long term either as working nights for extended periods has bad health side affects. 

Depending on the store you work in the job can differ slightly but usually you will be tipping the HGV with cages and pallets of food and drink at the start of the night and either putting them into storage or on the shop floor to be spot (dropped) down the relevant aisles. You then work the load, stacking shelves remembering to rotate for dates and removing any items which are damaged, in the wrong place or of poor quality for them to be wasted and chucked in the bin or reduced to either be sold again or put for staff members to buy at reduced rates. Any goods which can't go out go back into the warehouse as backstock. You then dispose of all your cardboard and plastic waste and stack the cages you've been working from ready to be loaded back onto the HGV.

As most stores now have online orders to fulfill the vast majority of your time will be spent picking orders. You load your tracker with boxes and pick the items within the relevant time periods and store them in relevant areas split into ambient, chilled and frozen. Different stores have different standards on this, so pay attention.

Occasionally when you have done all that or there is no fresh load to work you will be asked to work backstock from the warehouse I.e. the goods which haven't been put on the shelf. You may also be asked to clean the store, put up seasonal displays, put away backstock from the shop floor or a plethora of other tasks like baling the cardboard and plastic wastage machines. 

All in all the work is very easy and monotonous and the atmosphere is mostly relaxed. You are left to your own devices mostly and can listen to music and take breaks whenever you want... very different from working in the store in the day. 

This job suits a particular kind of person, I mostly liked it as it was near enough stress free. You are however spoken to and treated like a child by some of the supervisors sometimes however and as with most food retail it is extremely results and statistics focused so bare this in mind... I left because working nights was taking its toll on me physically and mentally but I do miss certain aspects of the job and colleagues.

Waitrose on the whole are a pretty good company to work for. Especially in comparison to others in the sector. Very good benefits, although from talking to the old timers there, not as good as it used to be...




The work is quite varied so you could be assisting customers, sell on the checkout, replenish shelves, check dates and discount, take deliveries. Each person will tend to fall into a pattern. However, since the recent changes, you are now expected to switch between any task you have been trained to do at any point in time during your shift. This can be very tiring. 

Most Partners are friendly and go out of their way to help you, however you will find the odd one or two people that seem to give you a hard time for no reason. The Partnership does seem to care about your development and training is good overall, but management can have unreasonable expectations at times, expecting you to finish tasks when you are being spread too thinly. Some managers don't seem to know what the others are doing, as one can instruct you to do one task and a few minutes later another will question why you have been doing it.

Most of the customers are reasonably pleasant although some can be rude and not appreciate the nature of your working pattern and the fact that you cannot have the shelves fully stocked all of the time. You will hear some grumble about there 'not being anyone there to assist them'. Many of the issues can only be resolved by a policy change. You need to be able to take it in your stride and not let things you can't influence affect your ability to do the job.

Certain aspects of the job can be very physical and tiring. The work is often monotonous and repetitive.

You do get 15% off Waitrose purchases and generally 20% off John Lewis after working here for 3 months. There is also the bonus (which has been decreasing in recent times). A lot of food seems to get thrown away even though it is perfectly edible (veg for example doesn't become inedible the moment it passes the best before date). I understand that it gets sent for anareobic digestion to produce energy, but wouldn't it be better to sell it to Partners at discount?

I would say this is a good job for students or those without much experience of the work place. The bonus and discounts don't really make up for the low wage, although this can be increased very slightly based on performace. 

Retail is a very competitive sector so to some extent the Partnership's hands are tied in how much they can afford to pay/working conditions. Having said that, if you want to work in food retail then you could do a lot worse than working for Waitrose.

A day at Waitrose will involves many tasks, including assisting and serving customers, till work, display Work, general shop work including counting and stock estimating, product presentation etc. tests are taken on an ongoing basis, both on the shopfloor and in the form of computer training.

Waitrose has several positive aspects, such as benefits (especially the annual bonus), it is good at arranging staff days out to popular areas eg. Alton Towers - and the job suits the needs of many employees who work there. However, there are also many areas that Waitrose need to work on and much of this lies within non- management and management partners coming together. There is an evident divide between the two - and many of the branches away from the cities could require more staff to complete the given task(s) - for a long time I have felt there is a tendency to have too many chiefs and not enough indians. This can often mean that you can be told/given conflicting tasks.. and on a weekend this is particularly troublesome.

Many people who work on the shopfloor have the opportunity to be cross-trained: another positive benefit of working there. On the contrary, I have noticed there are many who work on the customer service (checkouts) and it seems that they either do not seem to have the same opportunity, or they don't do their fair share of helping other sections in need of completing outstanding task(s).

The work has variety and many of the partners who work there are friendly. Although this is clear and evident, I feel there is still room to include more encouragement within each branch to bring the best in each partner who is around. At present, this seems to particularly need a focus through the management - of course with every Branch and job title there are expectations and deadlines, but I think the encouragement of Waitrose branches (and several other retailers) tend to fall flat under this category. With lower levels of staff, comes increased pressure on partners and this take it's toll on the very enjoyable moments of working at a Waitrose branch.

To conclude, I do recommend Waitrose as a place to work but I also recommend other applicants to get a feel for what their local/branch of interest is like first, possibly by visiting or doing your shopping there and paying attention to the surrounding environment. Once doing this, you can get a feel for what challenges face the branch, the staff working there, but also how suited you may be to the roles on the shopfloor and the task(s) involved.

For starters you come into work to earn a living, not to be spoken to like a child and treated as if your still in school. Not to mention if your face doesn’t fit or meet the criteria of the ideal “yes man/woman” that is when you will start to stick out like a sore thumb. Hours of work differentiate (dependant on the day of the week) and going out driving on regular routes aren’t always guaranteed. Meaning if you are not out delivery driving that is when you fall into the trap of being sent onto the shop floor and have to work in the store. (all this being due to your contract) Once you have signed your contract it states that you are a supermarket assistant/driver meaning even if you are told you are a delivery driver they are well within their right to ask you to work on the shop floor and cover other areas. Management snub drivers for not willingly helping out on retail which makes it a very us & them working environment. Drivers are treated unfairly in comparison to the rest of the colleagues as they are expected to do both as oppose to those who are in retail. They are not expected to assist with deliveries so if a driver is sick and no one is able to cover they don’t get done. Customers are then expected to come into store if they want there groceries even after they had already paid the delivery charge. As you can imagine this creates problems down the line when a driver has to explain on behalf of the company as to why they didn’t receive their goods the last time they had ordered. Management behold grudges if you speak out of turn or dispute anything that is asked of you. At that point you quickly become a bad apple and have a target on your back from there on out. Such a shame as when I started at Waitrose there was a good atmosphere which now unfortunately has become so toxic. May I mention overall morale of staff is at a all time low which as you can imagine makes your working life absolutely miserable! Despite all this the branch should consider themselves lucky that they still have a hard working group of delivery drivers. Unfortunately those that remain and new starters in the future will have to endure the constant harassment & belittling behaviours of management. If you take anything from this review I would do yourself a favour and stay away! For the sake of your physical & mental health it’s just not worth it. 

A typical day at Waitrose would consist of organising the checkouts, making them look tidy and organised, ready for serving customers. I have learned to be proactive and as soon as I feel like I haven't got anything to do, I need to find something to do, whether that be helping out briefly on another section who are struggling or completing a task at a different time, meaning it doesn't need to be worried about later. 

I've also learned how to prioritise, ensuring the more important matters are dealt with first and are given more time so they are completed more efficiently. A lot of the time, especially when the shop is busy, there are a multiple of tasks that need to be completed at the same time, so I've also learned to stay calm in these cases and organise partners to carry out the roles so I'm not left to do them all on my own. 

I love working with the majority of my co-workers, we all feel like partners as we're able to work together but also have a laugh and actually enjoy working with each other. Most management are easy to work with too and know they are required to help out, especially on busy occasions. The hardest part of my specific job is to maintain customer satisfaction, it's hard to keep everyone happy but I really try; as long as I provide them with a happy face and lend them an eager ear I feel like that is better than getting too stressed if something does happen to go wrong. The feeling of letting a customer down is the worst. However, in contrast the most enjoyable part of the job is providing good customer service and going one step beyond; on many occasions I have helped older customers with their shopping, and on the counters I have received compliments by customers for going the extra mile in discussing the products on sale/ordering new items to be delivered in etc. I feel this makes my experience in retail so much better, knowing I'm making people happy.

I feel like Waitrose enables us to give our all and the opportunities to progress to other sections; it's a reliable company and though it has its faults (like everywhere does) the pros FAR outweigh the cons.

I recently worked as a retail assistant at Waitrose, and overall, my experience was average. While there were some positive aspects to the job, there were also a few areas that could be improved.

One of the highlights of working at Waitrose was the friendly and supportive team. My colleagues were always willing to lend a hand and offer guidance whenever I had questions or needed assistance. The collaborative environment made it easier to navigate the daily tasks and ensured a smooth workflow.

Moreover, Waitrose maintained a clean and well-organized store, which positively impacted the overall shopping experience for customers. It was satisfying to contribute to maintaining the store's high standards by ensuring shelves were properly stocked and the displays were appealing.

However, there were a few areas where improvements could be made. Firstly, the scheduling system could have been more efficient. There were instances when I received my shifts with short notice or experienced last-minute changes, which made it difficult to plan personal activities or commitments. A more organized and timely scheduling process would greatly benefit both employees and the store's operations.

Additionally, the training provided for new retail assistants was somewhat lacking. While there was an initial orientation session, it would have been beneficial to have more comprehensive and ongoing training to enhance our skills and knowledge of the store's products and services. This would have allowed us to better assist customers and answer their inquiries confidently.

Lastly, communication between management and staff could have been improved. There were times when important updates or changes in procedures were not effectively communicated to all team members. Clear and timely communication is essential for a smoothly functioning work environment and could help avoid confusion and mistakes.

In conclusion, my experience as a retail assistant at Waitrose was average. The positive aspects included a supportive team and a well-maintained store. However, there were areas that could be improved, such as the scheduling system, training program, and communication between management and staff. With some enhancements in these areas, Waitrose could create an even better working environment for its employees.                                                                                              

I actually enjoy where I work and would highly recommend it to anyone, whether it be a short term or a long term career you are looking for.

The one thing I would say is that each section, customer service, operations and replenishment all believe, rightly and wrongly, that their section is the one that keeps the store going, it's actually all 3, but healthy competition is good.

The work in any section can either be really easy or you will come in and think the entire divisions trucks have all unloaded in one day!  Always check the itinerary with your manager, often you will find more information than just looking at the jobs board, and it never hurts to build up a personal relationship.

Personally I get in well with senior partners, and having been there for a while, I can voice my opinions with confidence if I feel a particular issue needs addressing.

However, like many other retailers it is not without its problems, chief among which is the low pay, yes we get the living wage but considering how hard we all work it's not really enough.

 I would also say that it is very important if you are looking at career progression to work out what type of partner your line manager prefers.  Some like those who have great interpersonal skills,  a massive boost for customer services, others take great pride in accuracy, important for operations, whilst some like partners who can run really fast, often on the spot.  Suss out what type of manager you've got and play the game, you will turn into their protege overnight.

Most important advice is do the best for yourself, rather than focus on others, as you will often find that other people may be promoted ahead of you, it's no reflection on how good they are compared to you, it's just that they impressed their line manager, see my previous point, and your chance will come, eventually.

Other advice is listen to your partners, but do not be afraid to voice your own ideas.  Most good ideas come from those who work face to face with other people in branch rather than head office, who will often come up with puzzling ideas that the rest of us have to spend months fixing.

Overall a really nice place to work, even if we are run off our feet and understaffed at times.

As a supermarket assistant at Waitrose, I have had the pleasure of experiencing a work environment that is both enriching and rewarding. Here are some reasons why I absolutely love working here:

1. Supportive Team Environment: From day one, the camaraderie and support from colleagues have been outstanding. There's a real sense of teamwork, and everyone is willing to help each other out. This positive atmosphere makes even the busiest days enjoyable.

2. Exceptional Training and Development: Waitrose invests heavily in the training and development of its staff. I've attended several training sessions that have not only improved my skills in customer service but also provided me with knowledge about various products, which has been incredibly satisfying.

3. Customer Interaction: Engaging with customers is a highlight of my day. Waitrose attracts a lovely clientele, and I've had the opportunity to meet and assist a diverse range of people. It’s rewarding to know that I can make a difference in their shopping experience.

4. Quality Products: Working with products that I believe in makes my job much more enjoyable. Waitrose is known for its quality, and it's great to be a part of a company that values high standards.

5. Opportunities for Growth: Since joining Waitrose, I’ve noticed numerous opportunities for career advancement. The company genuinely cares about the career aspirations of its employees and offers various pathways to achieve them.

6. Work-Life Balance: I appreciate the work-life balance at Waitrose. My schedule is flexible, and the management is understanding about personal commitments, which is incredibly important to me.

7. Ethical and Sustainable Practices: Lastly, I am proud to work for a company that prioritizes sustainability and ethical practices. It's fulfilling to be part of an organization that aligns with my personal values.

In conclusion, working at Waitrose as a supermarket assistant has been a fantastic experience. The supportive team, comprehensive training, positive customer interactions, and the company’s commitment to quality and sustainability make it a wonderful place to work. I look forward to continuing my journey with this amazing team.



Top Job Titles	Average salary
Delivery driver 326 salaries reported	£14.10 per hour
Market associate 739 salaries reported	£13.23 per hour
Team leader 87 salaries reported	£37,537 per year
Replenishment associate 313 salaries reported	£13.19 per hour
Hospitality team member 275 salaries reported	£13.10 per hour

Working at Waitrose & Partners: company overview and reviews

Waitrose & Partners

Waitrose & Partners ratings

Popular jobs at Waitrose & Partners

Salary satisfaction

Jobseeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected