At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to drive sales and enhance customer experiences across destination retail sites.
- Company: Join The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, a vibrant retail business with over 200 locations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Exciting role with opportunities to shape the future of destination shopping.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of retail innovation and make a real impact in a thriving company.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and a passion for retail and customer service.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Here at The Edinburgh Woollen Mill we have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of Destination Retail & Trading. This role is ideal for a dynamic, commercially driven leader who can provide both strategic direction and operational leadership across our destination sites.
The Edinburgh Woollen Mill is a retail business comprising over 200 units, including High Street, Tourist & Destination sites, predominantly Fashion and Home.
- High Street stores: We have mainstream high street stores selling ladies and menswear for the 45 plus customer. Outlets are located in a wide variety of market and provincial towns across the UK and Ireland.
- Tourist Shops and Visitor Centres: We have specialty tourist stores, where gift items and other products reflect the store's location. The outlets, which trade under an individual, often local, fascia, are in key tourist locations throughout the UK. Many stores are on busy tourist routes and benefit from coach visits where food service and exhibitions are all part of the attraction.
- Destination Shopping: There are Destination Sites which contain all of the Company's concepts and other brands to increase their attractiveness as a retail destination. The sites trade under local, individual fascias such as Antartex Village, and Kernow Mill, Mackinnon Mills.
If you are passionate about the brand looking for a new challenge then Edinburgh Woollen Mill is the place for you!
The role: As Head of Destination Retail & Trading, you will be responsible for driving sales performance, operational excellence, and sustainable, profitable growth across our destination sites.
Key Accountabilities:
- Deliver and exceed sales and profit targets across destination sites through effective leadership, coaching, and performance management of General Managers.
- Develop and execute regional business plans and strategies that maximise sales and profitability.
- Monitor and continuously improve customer service standards across the region to enhance the overall customer experience.
- Identify and develop new business opportunities aligned with the wider company strategy.
- Recruit, manage & develop all direct reports.
- Contribute to the review and development of operational policies and procedures, ensuring they support the delivery of business goals and operational excellence.
- Lead and support local marketing initiatives across the region to drive footfall and sales.
- Work collaboratively with Operations, Property, Marketing, Buying, and Merchandising teams to deliver and strengthen the Edinburgh Woollen Mill brand proposition.
- Ensure consistent, high-quality product presentation and merchandising standards across all sites.
- Maintain a strong awareness of local and competitor trading conditions, recommending and implementing initiatives to increase sales and profitability.
- Manage and deliver clear and effective communication across the region, ensuring timely and consistent information sharing.
- Catering: Maximise catering sales and profitability across destination sites.
- Implement local initiatives to drive catering sales.
- Communicate local menu and presentation requirements, using regional knowledge to enhance customer appeal.
- Ensure all catering facilities are presented to optimise sales, efficiency, and customer experience, positioning catering as a key destination attraction.
- Ensure full compliance with all relevant regulatory and food safety legislation, including obligations under the Food Safety Act.
Head of Destination Retail & Trading in Birmingham employer: Edinburgh woollen mill
The Edinburgh Woollen Mill is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration among its team members. With over 200 retail units across the UK and Ireland, employees benefit from extensive growth opportunities and the chance to lead innovative strategies in a dynamic retail environment. The company's commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction ensures that every team member plays a vital role in delivering memorable shopping experiences, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Destination Retail & Trading in Birmingham
✨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 Edinburgh woollen mill, 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 Edinburgh woollen mill!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Destination Retail & Trading in Birmingham
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 Edinburgh woollen mill, 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 Edinburgh woollen mill 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 Edinburgh woollen mill that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Edinburgh woollen mill
✨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!
