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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver exceptional customer service and achieve sales goals.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a renowned brand with a rich heritage and exciting growth in key locations.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days holiday, employee discounts, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by inspiring your team and enhancing customer journeys.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Store Manager or similar in a fast-paced food retail environment.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values personal development and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our teams work hard to make customer and colleague journeys in life possible, we offer our amazing products to everyone on any of life’s journeys. We are particularly proud of the great partnerships we have with M&S. WHSmith has a remarkable heritage and we are growing particularly in our airports, hospitals, rail stations and motorway services.
As a Store Manager in our M&S Manchester Simply Food store, you’ll lead and inspire your team to provide exceptional customer service, meet business objectives and create a working environment that helps our colleagues to develop and achieve. We want you, our customers and our colleagues to be proud they’re starting and sharing their journeys with us.
What being a Store Manager is all about:
- Driving a high performing team to achieve great sales results.
- Creating a culture of learning, support and recognition - spotting opportunities for development of personal skills, product knowledge and self-awareness, in an environment where everyone feels valued and welcome.
- Playing a key role to make sure your colleagues are supported, setting clear and measurable targets, which are reviewed regularly.
- Working with our Support Centre to share your knowledge of the local environment to maximise local opportunities and community involvement.
- Having a robust people and succession plan in place and working with the Region to support people development for all colleagues.
- Keeping teams up to date on store business performance and appropriately challenging what can be done to improve.
- Creating a sense of community within the store to ensure both colleagues and customer facilities are of a good standard, and that we are operating safely and legally.
What our Store Leadership Team would love to see:
- Current Store Manager (or equivalent) in a fast-paced food retailer or similar environment.
- Someone who can energise, influence and motivate the team to deliver exceptional service and performance.
- Strong organisation skills and someone who is proactive and able to prioritise well, in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Experience of proactively leading from the front, getting stuck in and helping your team on the shop floor.
- Experience in managing the employee lifecycle from recruitment, onboarding and ongoing performance reviews.
- Proven people development experience, focused on fostering a supportive, productive, efficient and inclusive environment.
- Strong stakeholder management experience.
How we reward our teams:
We know you’ll work hard to make WHSmith a success and keep our customers happy, so as well as your salary, pension scheme, holidays (Management - 33 days including bank holidays) and employee discounts (up to 50%), we’ll reward you with a range of deals from retail partners that will help you save money and make memories, whether a delicious meal, an adventurous day out, or tickets to see the latest blockbuster. Whatever the future brings, our Employee Assistance Programme will support you with help and guidance for your wellbeing whether physical, mental or financial.
WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.
Main Store Manager Grade 4 in Manchester employer: Funky Pigeon
Contact Detail:
Funky Pigeon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Main Store Manager Grade 4 in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on WHSmith and M&S. Understanding their values and how they operate will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've energised and motivated your team. Be ready to share these during your interview to demonstrate your ability to drive performance and create a supportive environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your people development skills! Be prepared to discuss how you've supported colleagues in their growth and development. This is key for the Store Manager role, so highlight any training or mentoring experiences you've had.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team dynamics or store performance. This shows your interest and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Main Store Manager Grade 4 in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about leading a team and providing exceptional customer service. Share your experiences that highlight your passion for retail and teamwork.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Store Manager position. Highlight relevant experience in fast-paced food retail environments and any leadership roles you've held. We love seeing how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, so don’t be afraid to show us what you can bring to the table without fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do – just follow the prompts and you’ll be on your way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Funky Pigeon
✨Know Your Store Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the M&S Manchester Simply Food store and its offerings. Understand the customer demographics and what makes this location unique. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commitment to the role and how you can contribute to the store's success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and how you inspire and motivate teams. Share specific examples of how you've developed team members in previous roles, focusing on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. This will resonate well with the interviewers looking for someone who can energise their team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as managing underperformance or dealing with customer complaints. Prepare by thinking through your past experiences and how they relate to the challenges faced in a fast-paced retail environment. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Emphasise Community Engagement
Since the role involves maximising local opportunities, be prepared to discuss how you would engage with the community. Think about partnerships or initiatives you could implement that align with WHSmith’s values. Showing that you understand the importance of community involvement will set you apart from other candidates.
