East of England Co-op
Branch Manager

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Title: Branch Manager – Food Stores
Location: Manningtree
Hours: 39 per week
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time
Working Pattern: 5 days over 7 (including evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays)
Salary: £43,500 - £47,000
Department: Food Stores
Reporting to: Cluster Lead
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Branch Manager to lead our Food Store in Manningtree. This is an exciting opportunity for an established retail leader looking for their next challenge, with the opportunity to lead a store at the heart of a close-knit local community.
Manningtree is a distinctive market town with a strong local identity, giving you the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with customers and the wider community while developing a strong store culture and delivering excellent commercial performance.
You will be accountable for achieving key performance indicators, including sales, margin, and cost targets, while creating a positive and engaging environment where colleagues can perform at their best. As a visible and inspirational leader, you will build strong teams, develop capability, and ensure your branch delivers an excellent experience for customers and members alike.
Working at Our Co-op means collaborating across our Food Stores and wider business to deliver strong performance and positive community impact. You will be part of a values-led organisation with a shared ambition to be the best at what we do across the East of England.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About the Team
Our Food Stores team is the commercial heart of Our Co-op. As an independent retailer, our food business plays a critical role in delivering sustainable growth, supporting our communities, and upholding our co-operative values.
The team is passionate about:
- Delivering consistently high-quality service
- Creating welcoming, community-focused stores
- Supporting local sourcing and sustainability
- Continual improvement and innovation
You will join a supportive, high-accountability environment where your contribution is valued, and your leadership will make a tangible difference.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead the delivery of outstanding customer service, driving engagement, loyalty, and positive shopping experiences
- Manage the operational and financial performance of the branch, including budgets, stock control, waste reduction, and profitability
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team through effective recruitment, performance management, and colleague development
- Ensure full compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal standards, including health & safety and age-related sales
- Act as Designated Premises Supervisor for the branch (APLH training provided)
- Work flexibly across branches when required to support wider business needs
- Champion continuous improvement and actively engage with personal development opportunities


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What You’ll Need
- Proven experience as a Branch Manager, Store Manager, or Retail Manager within retail, hospitality, or another customer-focused environment
- Strong commercial awareness, including budgeting and performance management
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to interpret data and use insight to drive decisions
- A collaborative, adaptable approach with strong problem-solving skills
- Confidence managing change and leading teams through challenge
- A strong customer-first mindset
Working Pattern & Requirements
- 5 days over 7, including a minimum of 8 Sundays, 30 evening shifts, and some Bank Holidays per year
- Flexibility to cover other branches is a fundamental requirement
- Some roles may be subject to licence and background checks (you will be advised if applicable)
- Working patterns are non-contractual and may change in line with business needs
Why Join Us?
At Our Co-op, we are proud to be a values-led organisation that puts people and communities at the heart of everything we do. As a Branch Manager, you will have the opportunity to make a genuine impact; shaping colleague experience, strengthening community relationships, and driving performance across your branch.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London