At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic retail team to create exceptional customer experiences and drive sales.
- Company: Reputable retailer with a strong heritage and forward-thinking approach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, company discounts, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inspiring environment.
- Why this job: Join a premium department store and make a real impact in retail management.
- Qualifications: 10+ years of retail management experience and a passion for customer service.
Location: Dorset
Salary: £38,625-£46,125 pa
Hours: 38 hour week shift basis (across 7am-7pm), working every other weekend. No late shifts generally other than Christmas.
Benefits: Company discount scheme, retail discounts, cycle scheme, health cash plan, annual paid charity day, External Assistance Program for wellbeing, free parking, up to 38 days holiday including bank holidays, pension.
Aspire Jobs are working exclusively with our client who is a well-known reputable retailer. They are looking for an experienced, ambitious, commercially minded Retail Trading Manager to join their Dorset site. You will be responsible for c £10M turnover contributing to the store's overall operation, so they need someone with strong (10 years +) retail management experience. You will be managing a team of c 50-60 staff with 5 direct reports within that.
The store is undergoing a major refit and will become a premium department store style centre. Therefore, they are looking for people with retail experience from within clothing, furniture and department stores rather than food.
You will be leading their retail operation where they are passionate about creating exceptional experiences for customers and an inspiring place for colleagues to work. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced retail leader who loves developing people, driving commercial performance, and creating outstanding customer experiences.
You will lead a large and diverse team, working alongside the General Manager and wider leadership team to deliver exceptional results across all trading departments. We are seeking a natural leader who can motivate others, build strong relationships, and bring energy and enthusiasm to every part of the business.
As a Retail Manager, you will ideally have:
- Significant retail management experience within a customer-focused environment
- A strong commercial mindset and confidence working with sales, margins, budgets and KPIs
- Experience leading, coaching and developing large teams
- The ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- A passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences
- Strong analytical skills and confidence using business data to make informed decisions
Most importantly, you will be someone who leads by example, embraces teamwork, and enjoys helping people and businesses achieve their full potential.
This is a fairly broad role with responsibility for sales, margins, budgets, customer experience and team leadership. We would be keen to speak to anyone from retail, hospitality, garden centres or operational management backgrounds but with a high volume of sales experience. So if you are a Store Manager, General Manager, Retail Manager, Retail Operations Manager, Garden Centre Manager, F&B Manager or Deputy General Manager then please get in touch with us now.
Our client has been delighting customers for generations. They combine a strong heritage with a forward-thinking approach, creating inspiring destinations for families and visitors alike. When you join them, you will become part of a business that genuinely values its people, invests in development, and recognises that great teams are the key to great results.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Manager in Ferndown
✨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 Aspire Jobs, 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 Aspire Jobs!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Manager in Ferndown
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 Aspire Jobs, 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 Aspire Jobs 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 Aspire Jobs that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspire Jobs
✨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!
