At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting retail development projects and enhance customer experiences across the UK.
- Company: Join Certas Energy, a forward-thinking company shaping the future of retail.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, bonus, healthcare cash plan, and significant autonomy.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to your growth and success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative retail solutions and convenience initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management, category management, and supplier negotiation.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
National Role | Competitive Salary + Company Car + Bonus + Healthcare Cash Plan
Are you passionate about creating outstanding retail experiences, developing profitable store formats and delivering innovative retail solutions?
At Certas Energy, we're looking for an experienced
Store Development Manager to take ownership of our growing retail estate and help shape the future of our convenience and food-to-go proposition.
This is a highly visible national role, offering the opportunity to influence store layouts, product ranges, supplier relationships and major retail development projects across our network.
About the Role
Reporting into the Retail team, you'll play a pivotal role in developing and enhancing our company-owned retail estate while supporting wider retail growth initiatives across the business.
Working closely with Operations, Engineering, HSE, Marketing and key suppliers, you'll drive improvements that enhance the customer experience and deliver commercial growth.
This is a predominantly field-based role with approximately
80% of your time spent visiting sites, attending supplier meetings and leading projects across the UK
Key Responsibilities
- Retail Development & Store Refits
- Lead retail development and refurbishment projects across the estate.
- Support store segmentation strategies to optimise customer experience and profitability.
- Deliver retail space transformation projects including food-to-go concepts, branded partnerships and store format developments.
- Coordinate shopfitters, merchandising teams and contractors during project delivery.
- Category Management & Product Development
- Develop and implement planograms and merchandising standards.
- Conduct regular category and range reviews.
- Identify emerging retail trends and bring new products and concepts into the business.
- Attend trade shows and supplier events to source innovative products and retail solutions.
- Manage relationships with key suppliers, including Spar and other category partners.
- Work closely with supplier account managers to maximise sales opportunities and promotional effectiveness.
- Negotiate and deliver commercial initiatives that improve profitability and customer choice.
- Stakeholder Management
- Partner closely with Operations teams to ensure successful implementation of retail initiatives.
- Collaborate with Engineering, HSE and Marketing colleagues on store development projects.
- Influence and engage stakeholders across multiple functions and locations.
- Identify opportunities for new retail concepts across the estate.
- Support food-to-go expansion projects involving brands such as Costa, Subway and other strategic partners.
- Evaluate opportunities to maximise value from existing retail space and improve site performance.
About You
We're looking for an individual who combines strong commercial awareness with hands‑on retail expertise.
You'll likely come from a background such as
- Convenience Retail
- Forecourt Retail
- Service Station Operations
- Food-to-Go Retail
- Grocery Retail
- Multi‑Site Retail Operations
- Retail Development
- Category Management
You'll also bring
- Experience managing multiple retail locations.
- Strong category management and merchandising knowledge.
- Experience developing planograms and product ranges.
- Proven supplier management and negotiation skills.
- Experience delivering store refurbishment or development projects.
- A proactive, commercially focused mindset.
- Willingness to travel extensively across the UK and stay away from home when required.
Why Join Certas Energy?
- Be part of an evolving retail strategy.
- Exposure to exciting food-to-go and convenience retail initiatives.
- Work with leading retail and FMCG suppliers.
- Significant autonomy and ownership.
- Competitive salary and company car.
- Opportunity to make a real impact on the future direction of our retail proposition.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Certas Energy, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued and able to bring their whole selves to work.
We know that diverse teams drive better ideas, stronger decisions and improved outcomes for our customers and colleagues.
That's why we actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
We are an equal opportunities employer and make all recruitment decisions based on skills, experience, potential and business needs.
We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments for candidates who require additional support.
Regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socio‑economic background or any other protected characteristic, you'll be treated fairly, with respect and given every opportunity to succeed.
Join us and help shape the future of energy and retail in an environment where everyone belongs.
Retail Development Manager employer: Certas Energy
Certas Energy is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Larbert where safety and compliance are at the forefront of our operations. With a strong commitment to employee development, competitive benefits including a company car and private medical insurance, and a culture that values inclusivity and teamwork, we empower our staff to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the energy sector. Join us to lead innovative routing strategies and enhance operational performance while being part of a supportive community dedicated to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Development Manager
✨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 Certas Energy, 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 Certas Energy!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Development Manager
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 Certas Energy, 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 Certas Energy 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 Certas Energy that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Certas Energy
✨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!
