Farmfoods reviews

I have been working for Farmfoods for 5 years . I've been to so many different stores and helped the company out a lot. I started as a retail assistant and I'm now a store manager. I do enjoy a challenge but it is a lot more than just a challenge working as a store manager. It has basically taken over my life. I start at 6 am and earliest finish I get is 530 pm. Most of the time I finish later. Your entitled to two days off but I barely ever get that. Work 7 days some weeks. I am on a salary so what ever hours I work I get paid the same. 45 hour contract and I work 70 hours some weeks. No breaks. And no appreciation off anyone. They expect you to produce the best store. With as little staff as possible. Having to cope with running a store with just 3 people all day. Deliveries are unpredictable. The drivers are sometimes hours late. Which then put you behind for the day. Last few months I've just constantly been tired and worn out,so even on days off I can't be assed to do a thing. This really isn't me over exaggerating,it's just saying it how it is. If you want to give up your life for work then this really is the job for it. As much as my standards are high and my store is in great condition. There is only so much a human being can take before they call it a day ....

Long hours (Store Manager - 45, Assistant Manager - 43, Supervisor 39) 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. Managers don't need to be trained as managing is about having good conversations and they will learn by doing. Of course they will run things by HR/line manager until more experienced.