Sainsbury's
Trading Assistant - Shift

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Trading Assistant - Shift
# Trading Assistant – Working in Our Stores
Our stores are fast-paced environments where no two days are ever the same. They sit at the heart of the local community, delivering outstanding value, quality, and exceptional service. As a Trading Assistant, your role will be crucial in ensuring our stores are always bright, organised, and equipped to offer our customers the best experience.
Eligibility
To apply for this role, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old (due to overnight working hours and handling certain goods such as alcohol).
- Have eligibility for work in the UK.
What You’ll Be Doing
Key responsibilities include:
- Stock replenishment – Collecting stock from the warehouse using heavy roll cages (up to 15KG) and replenishing shelves with a variety of items.
- Shelf maintenance – Ensuring shelves remain clean, tidy, and full of well-presented products.
- Customer service – Proactively assisting customers, answering questions, and providing recommendations as needed.
- Fresh produce management – Checking dates on food and groceries to maintain freshness.
- Cross-store support – Assisting with deliveries, sanitisation, and any other tasks required to keep the store running smoothly.
- Product knowledge – Developing expertise in Sainsbury’s products, promotions, and services to improve customer interactions.
What Makes a Great Sainsbury’s Colleague
We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, physical environment with these qualities:
- Overnight readiness – You enjoy working independently during early-morning shifts or as part of a team when required.
- Customer focus – Warm, welcoming, and enthusiastic about delivering a brilliant shopping experience.
- Self-motivation – Takes ownership of tasks and uses initiative to solve challenges.
- Adaptability – Happy to work flexibly and productively across different teams and tasks to the highest standards.
- Tech-savvy – Comfortable learning and using digital tools to enhance your role.
- Attention to detail – Specks spotting! You’ll ensure the store stays impeccably clean, clutter-free, and customer-friendly.
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.
Additionally, you’ll receive full training to develop a range of skills and grow within our business.
Rewards of Working for Sainsbury’s
We recognize and reward our colleagues with a full suite of market-leading benefits:
Financial Perks
- Nightshift premium – Earn £2.45 extra per hour for every shift worked between midnight and 5am (where applicable).
- Discount card – After four weeks, enjoy 10% off Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tu, and Habitat. From Friday/Saturday, enjoy 15% off at Sainsbury’s.
- Pension scheme – We match between 4–7.5% of your contributions.
Wellbeing & Work-life Balance
- Free refreshments – Coffee, hot drinks, and snacks provided in-store.
- Generous holiday entitlement – Including maternity, paternity, sabbatical, and sick leave.
- Share schemes – Buy Sainsbury’s shares at a discounted price.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Additional Benefits
- Deals on experiences – Discounted gym memberships, dining, holidays, and retail vouchers.
- Wellbeing support – Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 for confidential advice on work or personal matters.
Note: Vacancies close quickly, so apply at your earliest convenience.
Contact & Additional Information
For updates on your application, contact the store you’ve applied to. Find full store details here.
An Inclusive Place to Work and Shop
Sainsbury’s is dedicated to being an inclusive retailer, where every colleague succeeds and every customer feels welcome. We actively promote diversity through:
- Enhanced discretionary leave for flexible needs (e.g., caring responsibilities).
- Career development – Mentoring programs, opportunities for growth, and inclusive training resources.
- Colleague networks – Groups dedicated to representing various communities and removing barriers.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we prioritise guided interviews based on assessment scores, with a focus on matching role essentials. Reasonable adjustments will be provided throughout the application and interview process—please notify us of any needs.
We’re proud to celebrate diversity through initiatives and events, fostering a culture of inclusion and respect.
“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
Skills