Job Description

Make 2026 the year you lead with purpose
We're seeking a Branch Manager to cover Mid-Essex, supporting communities across Chelmsford, Witham, Maldon, Hatfield Peverel, Coggeshall and reaching towards the Hertfordshire fringe.
This area offers a great balance of market towns, expanding residential areas and excellent transport links. As a leader, you'll bring consistency and support across a broad and strategically important patch.
If you're looking for a leadership role with scope, influence and long-term opportunity as we enter 2026, this could be the perfect next step.
Want to know more? Take a look at our job description attached to the bottom of this page.
Our working patterns are non-contractual. Any advertised working pattern represents the normal working pattern for the role at time of advertisement and may be subject to change.
What you'll be doing

• Leading, coaching and developing a team to deliver exceptional service
• Ensuring high standards across every aspect of branch operations
• Building strong community relationships across the wider local area
• Driving performance, encouraging continuous improvement and modelling our values
• Supporting regional collaboration and contributing to a positive team culture

The person we are looking for

• An experienced manager with strong people-leadership skills
• Someone who thrives in a customer-focused, community-centred environment
• A calm, organised decision-maker with high personal standards
• A relationship-builder who can influence, motivate and support others
• A leader who is passionate about making a meaningful difference

Why join us?

• A purposeful role with real community impact
• A supportive, people-focused culture
• Opportunities for development and long-term progression
• A chance to lead within a growing and ambitious organisation

Perks of the job
At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential. How do we do this?

• Competitive rates of pay
• 20% discount in our food stores, along with other discounts across our family of businesses
• 22 days holiday (plus bank holiday entitlement) which increases with service
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Death in service benefit
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements*
• Opportunities to grow, with award-winning training and apprenticeship programmes
• Great discounts, deals, and cashback across over 900 high street and online retailers
• Financial wellbeing support, including Stream
• Access to Cycle To Work, Rental Deposit Scheme, and SmartTech (after a qualifying period)
• Employee Recognition Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Free remote GP service, available 24/7, including prescription, fitness, nutrition, and counselling services
• Employee Assistance Programme

We recognise the challenges people face trying to balance commitments both in and out of the workplace - perhaps studying, caring commitments, or other employment. We therefore aim to be as flexible as possible, to create shift patterns that work for both our co-op and our colleagues.

• Enhanced on statutory terms, subject to service criteria.

East of England Co-op
Attached documents
Salary 35,000 to 40,000 per annum
Frequency Four Weekly
Vacancy Reference eecoop/TP/373/8115
Contract Type Management - Permanent - Full Time
Working Hours 39 hours per week
Closing Date 11 January, 2026
Vacancy Category Management - Food Retail
Business Unit Retail
Location Mid-Essex, Witham, Chelmsford, Maldon & Hertfordshire Fringe, United Kingdom

Skills Required