Asda is overhauling its store management structure, which will see key leadership roles merged in an effort to simplify the business.
The restructure will see the supermarket’s section manager and trading manager roles combined into a new simplified manager position, The Grocer reported.
The new managers will report into Asda’s operations managers, with the supermarket also appointing new operations managers in some of its larger stores.
The grocery chain confirmed an undisclosed number of jobs would be lost under the restructure.
Asda said it had informed staff who would be losing their jobs of the changes on Wednesday (9 July), but that conversations were not happening in every location and its Asda Express stores were not impacted by the overhaul.
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The retailer hopes the restructure will result in around 20% of its store management employees being promoted and receiving an increase in their pay.
It will see section leaders take on a broader range of responsibilities across the store under their new team leader position.
An Asda spokesperson told the publication: “We’re focused on making Asda the UK’s best value full-service supermarket by providing customers with an outstanding experience every time they shop, and having the right store leadership structure in place is key to delivering this.
“The investment in this new structure brings decision-making closer to the shop floor, and our customers, by clarifying roles and providing clear accountabilities.
“It also creates more opportunities for colleagues to develop their careers and progress into store management roles, with a significant number of immediate promotions confirmed today. We will be offering our full support to other colleagues impacted by the changes.”
The restructure forms part of Asda chair Allan Leighton’s turnaround plan for the business as he looks to revive the supermarket’s flagging fortunes.
It is not the first grocer to streamline its store management structure to strip out complexities, with Tesco cutting 1,750 lead and team manager roles in 2023 as part of a shake-up across its larger and Extra superstores.
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