At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a brand-new Co-op store and manage operations across two locations.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in the retail industry with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Earn £38,000, enjoy travel perks, discounts, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make your mark by launching a new store and building a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced retail management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 38000 £ per year.
Location: Royal Devon Hospital (+ additional Market Express site)
Salary: £38,000 per annum
Hours: 40 per week
Shifts: Monday-Sunday, between 05:30 and 21:30
Exciting Opportunity - Lead a Brand-New Co-op Store
We're launching a brand-new Co-op store at Royal Devon Hospital and are looking for a driven and experienced Store Manager to lead it from day one. This is a unique role where you'll not only take ownership of a busy hospital-based retail environment but also oversee a smaller Market Express location (approx. 50 minutes away). Travel to the second site is fully covered, giving you a great opportunity to broaden your management experience across multiple locations.
If you enjoy building teams, creating a strong culture, and driving commercial results - this is a fantastic opportunity to make your mark.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading the launch and ongoing success of a new Co-op store within a high-footfall hospital environment
- Managing day-to-day operations across two sites, ensuring consistency and high standards
- Inspiring and developing your team to deliver outstanding customer service
- Creating an inclusive, positive working culture where people can thrive
- Taking full ownership of store performance, including sales, KPIs, and operational standards
- Managing recruitment, rotas, and HR processes
- Ensuring stores are safe, compliant, and aligned with Co-op brand standards
- Using data and insight to drive performance and identify growth opportunities
- Supporting hands-on with daily store activities when needed
What we're looking for:
- Experience managing teams in a fast-paced retail or service environment
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, and develop others
- Commercial awareness and confidence managing performance and KPIs
- Resilient, proactive, and solution-focused approach
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Flexible and hands-on, with a willingness to support across both sites
- Full UK driving licence (desirable for multi-site support)
What's in it for you:
- £38,000 salary
- Opportunity to lead a brand-new store opening
- Travel costs covered for the second site
- Strong career progression within Compass Group and Co-op partnerships
- Access to a wide range of employee benefits, including:
- Retail and travel discounts (TUI, Expedia, supermarkets & more)
- Digital GP access and healthcare support
- Discounted cinema tickets and lifestyle perks
- Wellness, fitness, and mindfulness programmes
- Contributory pension scheme
- Ongoing training and development through Career Pathways
This is a brilliant opportunity for a motivated Store Manager to take ownership of a new opening, gain multi-site experience, and build a high-performing team within a supportive and growing business.
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
About Us: As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Co-Op Store Manager in Exeter employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Co-Op Store Manager in Exeter
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like All The Top Bananas, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like All The Top Bananas!
We think you need these skills to ace Co-Op Store Manager in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at All The Top Bananas, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at All The Top Bananas and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show All The Top Bananas that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
