Store Manager in Newbury

This is Blacks. Built in 1863. Original in nature. Built on over 160 years of outdoor knowledge, today we use that experience to support how people move between the city and the outdoors - every day. We curate clothing, footwear and equipment that balance function and style. Gear that works quietly in the background. Made for changeable weather, shifting plans and real life outside. Our teams are informed, thoughtful and approachable. We value clarity over hype, expertise without ego, and doing things properly. If you care about good product, honest advice and helping people feel confident stepping outside, Blacks is where you need to be. This is your moment. This is Blacks. Are you in?

Role Overview

As a Store Manager at Blacks, you take full ownership of your store’s performance, culture, and daily execution. You lead from the front — setting expectations, inspiring your team, and driving strong commercial results through confident decision-making and a deep understanding of the Blacks brand and outdoor customer. You create a high-energy environment where colleagues develop, standards remain consistently high, and customers receive an expert-led, engaging in-store experience. This role is all about decisive leadership, strong commercial awareness, and the ability to elevate your team so the store delivers excellent results every single day.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the store with energy, visibility, and confidence — driving strong performance across sales, service, and operational execution.
• Inspire and motivate the team on the shop floor, creating a knowledgeable and engaging Blacks experience that supports customers in finding the right outdoor gear.
• Use real-time performance insights and trading trends to make quick, commercial decisions that elevate store results and maximise every opportunity.
• Maintain Blacks’ high operational and visual standards — ensuring product availability, clear merchandising, and a safe, compliant environment.
• Develop and grow talent within the store, providing coaching, structured feedback, and clear progression pathways to build future leaders.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in retail management with the ability to lead and motivate teams in a fast-moving, customer-focused environment.
• Dynamic, confident leader who can drive a performance-focused culture and inspire colleagues at every level.
• Commercially sharp with strong capability in interpreting performance data, product trends, and customer behaviour.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, supporting strong teamwork, engagement, and professional customer interactions.
• Demonstrated success in delivering strong sales results and maintaining high operational standards.

Desirable Attributes

• Passionate about the outdoors, with a strong connection to the Blacks brand and product range.
• Proactive, solutions-driven leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, evolving retail environment.
• Hands‑on and highly visible on the shop floor, leading by example across all areas of the store.
• Resilient, adaptable, and composed during busy trading periods and seasonal peaks.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a workplace where every colleague is valued, respected, and empowered. We celebrate the diversity of our teams and strive to ensure that all colleagues — regardless of background, identity, or lived experience — can thrive and contribute meaningfully. As part of our successful and continually evolving company, you’ll be encouraged to embrace our core priorities: putting people first, staying connected to our customers, and delivering operational excellence. We are always exploring new opportunities for growth and welcome individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact every day. We know our employees work tirelessly to make Blacks the success it is today and, in return, we offer some great benefits:

• Incremental Holiday Allowance
• Staff Discount on qualifying purchases across Group retail stores and online
• Exclusive Colleague Bike Discount scheme
• Discounted Gym membership
• Personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work
• Access to Apprenticeships and accredited qualifications

About JD Group

Founded in 1981 with a single store in the Northwest of England, JD Group has grown into a leading global omni-channel retailer in Sports Fashion, Outdoors, and Gyms. Our diverse and dedicated teams operate across a portfolio of renowned retail brands in multiple international markets. Listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1996 and a proud member of the FTSE 100 since 2019, JD Group continues to expand both in the UK and globally, driven by a commitment to innovation, excellence, and opportunity. Our vision is to become the world’s most trusted and dynamic omni-channel retailer across sports and outdoor markets. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds to join us in shaping this future. If you’re passionate about contributing to an inclusive, people-first, and customer-focused organisation — and motivated by continuous growth and operational excellence — we’d love to hear from you.