At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Harrods Pharmacy's transformation and growth in a luxury retail environment.
- Company: Join the iconic Harrods brand in an exciting new chapter.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related bonus, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career development in a dynamic, high-profile setting.
- Why this job: Shape the future of luxury pharmacy and enhance customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership in premium retail or hospitality; no pharmacy experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 34200 - 41800 £ per year.
An exceptional opportunity to lead the next chapter of Harrods Pharmacy. Harrods Pharmacy is entering an exciting period of growth and transformation. We are preparing to relocate into a higher-footfall location with almost double our current retail space, an expanded range and an ambition to increase sales by 50% in the first year following relocation.
We are looking for an outstanding commercial, retail, and people leader with a background in luxury retail to lead that transformation. Please note you do not need pharmacy experience for this position. We are particularly interested in leaders from luxury or premium retail, hospitality, beauty, wellness, private healthcare or other exceptional customer-focused environments who can bring fresh thinking, high standards and a proven ability to develop people and grow a business.
The role
Reporting directly to the Regional Manager for London, you will lead the overall business, people, customer experience, retail standards, and commercial performance of Harrods Pharmacy.
- Lead, oversee and develop a multidisciplinary team including 2 pharmacists, a part-time Retail Sales Manager and 4 full-time Retail Sales Associates, while positively influencing regular self-employed and vendor/brand colleagues.
- Own sales, profit, productivity and business KPIs, creating clear actions when performance is behind plan.
- Maintain exceptional standards across the retail floor, dispensary-facing areas and both consultation rooms, embedding our philosophy of “As New. Every Day. Every Customer.”
- Build a strong clientelling culture, giving colleagues the time, skills and expectations to develop customer relationships, follow up after purchases and services, and generate loyalty and repeat business.
- Build influential relationships with Harrods departments to identify opportunities to meet customers' wider needs and grow the business.
- Work closely with the Retail Sales Manager and Day Lewis Head Office teams to deliver effective stock management, range, planograms, promotions and availability.
You will develop the whole team to build high-quality customer relationships and provide relevant, personal follow-up.
Leadership Collaboration
You will work closely with our Pharmacy Manager, who, as a qualified pharmacist, leads professional and regulatory requirements, patient safety, professional services and the safe and compliant supply of medicines. We need a General Manager who recognises specialist expertise and can build a trusting, highly collaborative relationship with the Pharmacy Manager. Together you will combine outstanding commercial and customer leadership with uncompromising professional and patient-safety standards. You will also work together to understand and grow our pharmacy services, increasing customer awareness, access, bookings and sustainable service income.
What we're looking for
- Strong leadership of a customer-facing team.
- Evidence of delivering sales growth and commercial targets.
- Exceptional premium or luxury customer experience.
- Experience with Harrods, Selfridges or another leading premium/luxury business would be advantageous, as would experience of a major relocation, transformation, flagship operation, VIP clients or high-value products.
- Hands-on coaching and performance-management capability.
- Clientelling and relationship-building expertise.
- Extremely high operational and environmental standards.
- Strong commercial judgement and numeracy.
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders.
- The ability to lead and work alongside specialist professionals.
- Energy and resilience to lead visibly across a seven-day trading environment.
- Excellent judgement, discretion and follow-through.
- Values-led leadership where patient safety comes ahead of commercial gain.
Why this unique opportunity
This is much more than maintaining an established operation. It is an opportunity to take a successful Harrods business through a significant relocation, develop its people and customer proposition, build deeper customer relationships, grow services and help create an outstanding luxury pharmacy, healthcare and wellness destination.
General Manager employer: Day Lewis Pharmacy
Day Lewis is an exceptional employer that values education and professional development, making it an ideal place for a Teacher Practitioner. With a strong commitment to equality and a supportive work culture, employees benefit from opportunities to enhance their teaching skills while working in a dynamic environment across the Norwich area. The unique blend of pharmacy practice and academic involvement at the University of East Anglia ensures a rewarding experience that fosters both personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager
✨Get Yourself Out There!
In the retail game, visibility is everything! Make sure you’re out and about in your local area, visiting shops, and chatting with managers. Many retail gigs come through word-of-mouth, so don’t be shy—hand out your CV and let them know you're available for freelance work.
✨Leverage Social Media
Utilise platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your retail skills. Share posts of your work and connect with local businesses or pop-up events. The more people see you hustling, the more likely they’ll consider you for freelance gigs when they need an extra hand.
✨Join Retail Freelancing Platforms
There are specific platforms catering to freelance opportunities in retail. Get onto sites like Fiverr or Upwork, and create a profile that highlights your skills in merchandising, customer service, or whatever specialty you hold. This is a smart way to connect with various brands looking for freelancers.
✨Networking Events Are Your Best Friend
Attend retail industry fairs and local business networking events. These gatherings are great for making connections and finding out about freelance opportunities before they're advertised. Plus, people love to hear about what you can bring to the table—that’s your chance to shine!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Retail Experience:Retail's all about customer interaction, so make sure your CV showcases your experience in engaging with customers. Highlight any sales achievements or customer service roles you've held, as this will show Day Lewis Pharmacy that you're a great fit for the team.
Tailor Your Portfolio to Retail:As a freelancer in retail, having a portfolio can set you apart. Include examples of previous projects or campaigns you've worked on, especially if they show your creativity in product displays, merchandising, or social media marketing. This gives us a clear insight into what you can bring to the table.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a freelance gig, it’s super important to state your availability right off the bat. Let Day Lewis Pharmacy know when you can start and what your working hours might look like. This'll help them see how you fit into their schedule without any back and forth.
Convey Your Passion for Retail:In your cover letter, don’t shy away from sharing why you love retail! Show Day Lewis Pharmacy your enthusiasm for the industry and any trends you've noticed. This personal touch can make your application stand out and demonstrate your commitment to the retail environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Day Lewis Pharmacy
✨Show Off Your Selling Skills
In retail, it's all about how well you can sell. Be prepared to demonstrate your selling techniques during the interview—whether that’s role-playing a sale or discussing past experiences where your approach led to a successful transaction. We want to hear about how you engage customers and close deals!
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
As a freelancer, your portfolio is your best friend. Showcase successful projects, client testimonials, or examples of your work that align with the specific retail role at Day Lewis Pharmacy. Make sure you can articulate your thought process and what made these projects successful to persuade them you're the right fit for the role.
✨Understand Current Retail Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in retail, like sustainability or e-commerce growth. It’s crucial to show that you’re not only aware of these changes but also ready to adapt. We might ask how you can apply these trends to a freelance project and contribute to Day Lewis Pharmacy’s growth.
✨Client Relationship Focus
Freelance work often means you’ll deal with diverse clients, so emphasise your ability to build rapport and maintain relationships. Prepare anecdotes about how you’ve managed client expectations, resolved conflicts, or fostered loyalty. Strong interpersonal skills will set you apart in the competitive retail landscape!
