From replenisher to team leader within Eurojob: secrets to success

In the competitive world of supermarket management, the role of a Team Leader is both challenging and rewarding. We had the opportunity to sit down with an experienced Team Leader to gain insights into their journey, responsibilities, and the skills required for success in this dynamic position. From starting as a replenisher to overseeing a team, their experience offers valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to lead in a fast-paced retail environment. Join us as we explore the secrets behind their role, a typical day on the job, and essential advice for future leaders.

How did your journey to becoming a Team Leader begin?

— I started as a regular replenisher. I worked in several stores, which helped me gain additional experience because, depending on the store, the work patterns vary slightly. Observing the work of others, especially more experienced employees, allowed me to refine my work system and adapt it to the specific requirements of each store. In other words, working in various stores with experienced people helped  me develop a flexible and effective work system. Additionally, I have always placed great importance on the quality of my work. Working in one store for a longer period, my pace and quality of work were recognized, and as a result, I initially became an assistant, and later, after being thoroughly introduced to the Team Leader’s responsibilities, I was promoted to Team Leader.

Can you describe the main duties of a Team Leader in a supermarket?

• A Team Leader primarily works as a replenisher.
  They are subject to the same work standards as the other people in that position.
  Additionally, the Team Leader’s tasks include distributing work among the team members to complete it within the designated time. Moreover:
• They monitor the pace and quality of the work of other team members and are required to provide feedback, especially if their work deviates from the accepted standard;
• They should train newly hired staff, known as trainees; if they cannot do this themselves, they designate a competent person to do so;
• They ensure that all tasks required by the client (supermarket) are completed correctly;
• They ensure that work is conducted according to safety regulations and must have a health and safety course;
• They motivate and support the team, fostering a positive atmosphere;
• They maintain constant contact with designated persons from the Dutch team (manager, shift leader);
• They stay in regular contact with the Eurojob team, and after each shift, they are required to prepare and send a report to Eurojob

   

  What does a typical day for a Team Leader look like?
  — In reality, a Team Leader’s day depends on the individual. Primarily, one should be able to adapt to working night shifts and organize their day/week effectively to take advantage of living in such a beautiful country. The Team Leader’s fixed working hours are the start and end times of the shift, such as 21:00-5:00 or 21:00-1:00 (depending on the type of shift, night shift/evening shift, and the amount of work on a given day). Additionally, the Team Leader should allocate time during the day to write and send reports and contact the Eurojob coordinator during office hours if needed. The rest of the day is up to the individual’s creativity :)

  What do you like most about being a Team Leader?
  — The satisfaction after completing a shift, knowing that everything has been done properly and the target has been achieved, especially if there were crisis situations during the work. Additionally, observing people and assigning tasks to them, as working with a large group can sometimes be challenging to find the optimal solution for the entire team while considering the individual’s abilities.

  

  Can you share an unforgettable experience or achievement from your time as a Team Leader?
  — The most valuable lessons come from crisis situations, conflicts, and working with people. Everyone is different, and each requires a different approach; the challenge is to create a well-functioning group of individuals and achieve targets with them. The nicest things are always the words of thanks and praise from Dutch managers.

  How do you balance the physical and managerial aspects of the Team Leader position?
  — The key is good organization and preparation for your own work and distributing tasks to others. This way, everything becomes cohesive. A Team Leader should be able to organize work so that managerial tasks do not significantly impact their work as a replenisher. A strong support here is having an assistant or another person who is responsible and competent enough to support the Team Leader if needed.

  What advice would you give to someone who wants to join the team as a Team Leader?
  — I recommend starting from the position of replenisher. You will then learn the "ins and outs" of the job, which will make future organization easier: you will know how long a task realistically takes, how it can be changed or improved, and you will understand the job from the perspective of a regular employee. This will certainly help you in your future role as a leader.
  Remember, being a leader does not mean you are better than the other team members. You are an integral part of the team. Do not misuse your position at work (work according to the standards you expect from your colleagues); otherwise, you will not gain trust and respect from others. Try to be open and tolerant, leave your personal beliefs and opinions at home, and be a support and motivator for your colleagues.

         What traits and skills are most important for this position?

• Ability to work under time pressure while maintaining high quality;
• Ability to make quick decisions, handle crisis situations, flexibility, thinking outside the box, and seeking new solutions;
• Ability to assign tasks to individual team members;
• Ability to provide feedback to employees in a polite and calm manner;
• Ability to admit mistakes (no one is perfect, and errors can occur even for a Team Leader in a fast-paced job);
• Ability to accept feedback from other employees and from the Dutch team;
• Ability to handle conflict situations;
• Ability to organize work;
• Assertiveness (this is definitely more than just saying "no");
• Physical fitness;
• Cleverness (someone simply needs to be smart, with an innate cleverness that helps in making the work easier through various "tips"

  Interested in a Team Leader position?
  We invite you to apply for the vacancy here or send your CV to job@eurojob.nl with the subject line "Team Leader".