A major shake-up of staffing structures at all Tesco superstores and some Extras will force hundreds of managers to reapply for their jobs.

The Grocer understands the restructure will consolidate the roles of store section managers and create a deputy store manager role in stores where it doesn't already exist. One insider claimed Tesco was replacing five line manager roles at his store with two, plus a deputy manager.

"All five current line managers will have a 90-day consultation period and then can apply for one of the new roles," he said.

The restructure involves "people being re-interviewed and anyone with a previous poor performance review being unable to reapply," added another source. Tesco said the move would improve the way stores were run. "This will increase the number of senior managers in stores, reporting lines will become simpler and more efficient and the service we provide customers will greatly improve," said a spokesman. He said Tesco would try to find alternative roles for all those affected. "Some roles may end, but we are creating over 11,000 new jobs in the UK alone this year," he said. "Of these, we expect to create about 3,000 new management positions".

Usdaw, which is being consulted, said it could not rule out redundancies.

Meanwhile, more than 750 workers at Tesco's RDC in Chepstow are to be balloted on industrial action over a decision to move the centre to Bristol.

The union Unite claimed the workers were at risk of redundancy. National secretary Ron Webb said Tesco planned to keep employees only if they agreed to inferior terms and poorer pay. "At a time like this, when workers are frightened for their jobs, this is an underhand way to get them to agree to pay cuts," he said.

Tesco said it had consulted fully with staff and trade unions to draw up a compensation package that was recommended by Unite. "Despite this, staff voted to reject the package and, consequently, talks remain ongoing," it said.