At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire your store team while delivering exceptional customer service.
- Company: Join OurCoop, the UK's largest independent co-operative Society.
- Benefits: Enjoy fantastic discounts, personal development, and paid volunteering days.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to fit your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a passion for food retail.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Your presence and pride in your store will show through your leadership in the running of the store operation, going above and beyond to improve on performance and standards whilst ensuring the safety and security of your colleagues and customers. Using your judgement, drive and influence, you will engage your wider operational team with your passion for Food Retail and apply your knowledge and awareness into actions which not only support your store, but the success of the wider Society.
Being the right fit for our business means you hold a belief that engagement and empowerment of your team, demonstrated through your growth mindset, is key to motivating people in delivering common goals and aspiring targets. As someone who strives to learn, being naturally curious of change for the better, you will put into practice your knowledge, and be personally accountable for seeking out ways to improve upon the experiences of our customers and communities, relishing the opportunity to talk with them to make sure they remain at the heart of everything we do.
We welcome applications from candidates looking for flexible job share opportunities and we can support this through the dynamic operation of our business.
Store Manager responsibilities- Being at the heart of the community, interact with customers and members in a warm and friendly manner, demonstrating Co‑operative values and delivering exceptional service every day.
- Lead and develop the store team; communicate effectively, empower colleagues, recognise contributions, and motivate them to achieve together.
- Use leadership by example to drive high standards, engagement, and performance, while ensuring safety and security for colleagues and customers.
- Be the right fit for the business by engaging with the wider operational team and applying knowledge to support store and Society success.
- Support flexible working arrangements (e.g., job share) and adapt operations to a dynamic environment.
About OurCoop is the UK's largest independent co-operative Society, with more than one million Members and 13,000 colleagues operating in communities nationwide. It was formed by bringing together Central Co-op, The Midcounties Co-operative and Chelmsford Star Co-op to create a stronger, member-owned organisation rooted in shared co-operative values. The Society trades nationally through its family of businesses while remaining deeply rooted in local communities.
Benefits:
- Fantastic colleague discount - Reward ££'s and discounts across our Retail and Funeral businesses.
- Retail discounts - our hub offers colleagues access to hundreds of exclusive retail discounts, savings on days out and holiday discounts.
- Colleague Dividend - We pay a share of our profits to eligible colleagues as a thank you for their contribution to our success.
- Colleague recognition - we celebrate our colleague's achievements both personally and professionally.
- Personalised learning and development - with easy access to a wide range of training programmes.
- Paid time for volunteering - we encourage our colleagues to spend three days per year taking part in volunteering, fully paid for by us.
- Enhanced family friendly policies - to help you feel fully supported during any significant life events.
- Wellbeing - Annual health check kit and virtual GP (Finger prick blood test kit, health report, and access to a virtual GP 7 days a week 8am to 8pm for you and your family).
- Colleague assistance programme - to support you and your family when you need it the most.
- Healthcare Cashplan - option to contribute towards a range of healthcare expenses.
- Company sick pay - support to focus on getting better and returning to work in full health.
- Life Assurance - after an initial qualifying period, free life assurance cover for your nominated beneficiary if you die while employed.
- Colleague wellbeing campaign - making wellbeing benefits and resources accessible and relevant to your role.
- Give as you earn - supporting charities of your choice.
- Financial Wellbeing - iTrent Financial Wellbeing and The Money Co-op for financial resources; salary sacrifice options including Electric Vehicle, SIP, Cycle to Work, and Holiday buy.
- Company Pension - access to a company pension scheme and related wellbeing information.
- Nous - smart assistant to save money and time on household bills.
Store Manager in Jarrow employer: Central England Coop
OurCoop is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of its colleagues while fostering a strong sense of community. With a commitment to flexible working arrangements, personalised development opportunities, and a range of benefits including generous discounts and paid volunteering time, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The supportive work culture, rooted in co-operative values, ensures that every team member feels valued and engaged in delivering outstanding service to customers and communities alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Store Manager in Jarrow
✨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 Central England Coop, 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 Central England Coop!
We think you need these skills to ace Store Manager in Jarrow
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 Central England Coop, 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 Central England Coop 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 Central England Coop that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Central England Coop
✨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!