Heron Foods Reviews
60% would recommend to a friend
(317 total reviews)
Tony Dobbs
72% approve of CEO
Found 317 of over 330 reviews
Updated 21 Nov 2023
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Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
- "Minimum wage and one weeks rota at a time (unlike many other retail companies who get three weeks rotas at a time)." (in 8 reviews)
- "I was left to run the shop with very little training and threw me in without being shadowed." (in 6 reviews)
- 5.020 Nov 2023Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, less than 1 year
Pros
Friendly staff easy to get on
Cons
Shift pattern cannot be changed
- 1.021 Nov 2023Store ManagerFormer Employee, more than 5 yearsMiddlesbrough, England
Pros
The staff were mostly friendly and would help with anything. Some of the area managers were fantastic and support you with anything you need.
Cons
The hours with little to no recognition. The pay for what you actually do is very poor. It is just expected of you to do over your hours and not get anything back for it. Most of the upper management are just in the job to gossip about everyone and offer no support when you actually need it. I worked in a store that was frequently broken in to on a 3-5 monthly basis, it was expected of me to go out in the middle of the night on my own to secure the shop and get it boarded up/fixed, then return to work at 7am to do a full day. Despite this happening over 10 times in the 3 years i worked in that store, the company did nothing to prevent it happening again. The buyers and warehouse team allocated tonnes of stock to stores knowing it wouldn't sell, then when it doesn't sell the area managers hold you accountable. Next to no accountability for the people above you, always falls on store managers heads even when it is out of their hands. The company as a whole appears to value wealth over health.
- 1.011 Sept 2023Store ManagerFormer Employee, less than 1 year
Pros
Met some great people with the staff in store and customers
Cons
No support, very basic training then thrown in the deep end, the trainer would rather have you put stock out then train you. Area manager talks about you to other managers and causes drama. Regional manager is a bully and would pull you down on anything instead of supporting in a busy store and make out he don’t know it’s been happing to cover his own back. Other managers don’t support but make judgments and then make out they are perfect but make more mistakes. There is no work life balance they expect you to work for less than NMW and be on call 24/7. They lie to you in the interview making out the company is amazing and top for everything it’s all lies! Your mental health will be effected and they won’t care. They tell you to take out mouldy products and put it back on sale, defrosted stock to put out and let it freeze back up. Chilled items left out over night and still put out for sale. No time to manage the staff as you would be non stop putting stock out. No dinner breaks and shoplifters dream as nothing is done to help or support you,
1 - 1.019 Nov 2023ManagerCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearLondon, England
Pros
None this business believes it has a special way of doing things, and that their way is the only way. They need to wake up, they are a good retailer like many others and need to up their game
Cons
Poor availability of standard lines that a convenience store should stock. They push in products that the store cannot sell They audit out all the good managers The business is a bit of a joke in reality
- 5.016 Oct 2023Store ManagerCurrent Employee, less than 1 yearBridgend, Wales
Pros
It's thoroughly enjoyable and every day is different. It's challenging because you're constantly on the go but what I like about it more than anything is that it's always keeping you thinking. Because of the stock levels, you're constantly on the go and you have to stay one step ahead. Not one day is the same. It's self-driven - it's actually down to you depending on what motivates you. You have to work as a team. You cannot work as an individual, you have to work as a team and rely on others to have your back. This is where your staff training comes into it along with team work and communication.
Cons
It's not for the faint hearted.
- 5.016 Oct 2023Training Academy ManagerCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsCwmbran, Wales
Pros
As a Store Manager at Heron I find it challenging every day but very enjoyable and rewarding. I'm also a Training Academy Manager who gets the opportunity to go into other stores from all over the area. I like seeing the way the stores are run differently to come to the same outcome. I've been with the company 4 and a half years and I still enjoy every day. Every day is different. I'm also on the Area Manager Designate course so I really look forward to the company growing and eventually taking on an area.
Cons
Nothing to add in here
- 1.010 Oct 2023Anonymous EmployeeFormer Employee, less than 1 yearMelton, England
Pros
Local business, working hours in SSC not bad.
Cons
Where do I start? The culture and work environment are toxic beyond belief. Being part of a particular team was degrading, demeaning and downright awful. Manager made racist jokes, proceeded to tell incredibly inappropriate stories and was made to feel extremely uncomfortable. There is a reason why the turnover of the SSC has been so overwhelmingly high and yet nothing is done as it is all swept under the carpet. Heron will continue to churn through staff until serious decisions about management and senior management are made. I will recommend to everyone alive to avoid this business until my last breath. They will chew you up, spit you out and if you’re strong enough - you will emerge victorious from having escaped.
3 - 5.016 Oct 2023Part Times SalesCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsBarry, Wales
Pros
It's very easy going. Everyone is friendly. All the customers are really friendly. I've been here ages, about 4 years and I absolutely love it!. I love my job! Everyone gets on. It's quite a chilled, laid back job. I'm a qualified chef so this is dead easy to me. You get paid weekly too, which is a bonus. You would fit in really well with the team.
Cons
There's nothing to add here.
- 5.016 Oct 2023Store ManagerCurrent Employee, less than 1 yearBarry, Wales
Pros
I've had full training and support since starting this job. I love the fast pace and turnover of different stock. I work with a great area team and great team in store. I've got no intention of looking for another job as I love working for Heron Foods. It's great to be appreciated.
Cons
There's no fridge in the staff room :)
- 5.023 Aug 2023Internal RecruiterCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearHull, England
Pros
I have worked as part of the Recruitment team for a year and a half. Within this time, my manager has been extremely supportive with my development. I started as Admin Assistant and have quickly progressed to Junior Internal Recruiter with the view to become an Internal Recruiter in time. This progression would not have been possible without her guidance, she has provided me with the training I need to have a fulfilling successful career with Heron Foods. I enjoy coming to work every day and believe we as a team really are making a difference. I feel this is due to the collaborative and inclusive culture my manager has created.
Cons
There aren’t any cons and I have a good work life balance
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Heron Foods Reviews FAQs
Heron Foods has an overall rating of 3.6 out of 5, based on over 330 reviews left anonymously by employees. 60% of employees would recommend working at Heron Foods to a friend and 56% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has decreased by -8% over the last 12 months.
60% of Heron Foods employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated Heron Foods 3.4 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.4 for culture and values and 3.5 for career opportunities.
