At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire your team to deliver exceptional customer service and achieve business goals.
- Company: Join WH Smith, a beloved high street staple with 230 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, up to 50% employee discounts, and a supportive Employee Assistance Programme.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that values learning, support, and community involvement while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Retail leadership experience preferred; strong communication and team motivation skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexibility to support other stores and a commitment to inclusivity are key.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
As a Store Leader 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, whether it’s their first job, their first day at school, or their first birthday.
What being a Store Leader is all about:
- Guiding and engaging your team to deliver excellent standards and results in line with the Trading plan.
- Reviewing the trading plan with your Cluster Manager and using the scorecard to set and agree key actions and priorities that will lead to success for your store - reporting back to your team on store, cluster and area performance.
- Creating a sense of pride within the store to ensure both colleagues and customer facilities are of a good standard, and that we are operating safely and legally.
- Creating a culture of learning, support and recognition - spotting opportunities for development of personal skills, product knowledge and self-awareness to support our colleagues in an environment where everyone feels valued and welcome.
- Working with Head Office to share your knowledge of the local environment to maximise local opportunities and community involvement.
What our Store Leadership Team would love to see:
- Current/recent retail (or similar) leadership experience (preferably in a fast-paced environment) with working knowledge of KPI’s such as ATV and TPC.
- Experience of proactively leading from the front, getting stuck in, and helping your team on the shop floor.
- Flexibility of approach that will allow you to support other stores in the area when needed.
- Ability to build strong relationships and communicate clearly and engagingly at all levels of seniority.
- Experience of supporting employee training and development, and motivating teams adopting an ‘engage’ rather than ‘tell’ approach.
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.
About us:
WH Smith has a remarkable heritage and we have occupied our place as the Hub of the High Street and in our customers’ hearts for 230 years. But this doesn’t mean that we’re resting on our laurels – Our stores work hard to make customer and colleague journeys in life possible, marking the milestones with cards and gifts, providing escape and education with our books, and communication and currency in our Post Office Stores. WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.
Store Leader employer: Funky Pigeon
Contact Detail:
Funky Pigeon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Store Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key performance indicators (KPIs) mentioned in the job description, such as ATV and TPC. Understanding these metrics will not only help you in discussions during the interview but also demonstrate your proactive approach to achieving business objectives.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership style by preparing examples of how you've successfully engaged and motivated teams in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you led from the front and supported your team on the shop floor.
✨Tip Number 3
Research WH Smith's community involvement and local initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their efforts will allow you to speak authentically about how you can contribute to maximising local opportunities and enhancing community engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to employee training and development. Think of examples where you’ve adopted an 'engage' rather than 'tell' approach, as this aligns with the company’s values and shows your commitment to fostering a supportive work environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Store Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant retail leadership experience. Focus on your achievements in previous roles, especially those that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and meet business objectives.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for customer service and team development. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully engaged and motivated your team in past positions.
Highlight Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Since the role involves working with KPIs like ATV and TPC, be sure to mention your familiarity with these metrics. Provide examples of how you have used KPIs to drive performance in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively at all levels. Use your application to illustrate how you've built strong relationships within your team and with customers, as well as how you’ve supported employee training and development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Funky Pigeon
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Store Leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully led a team in a retail environment, focusing on your ability to inspire and motivate others.
✨Understand Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Familiarise yourself with relevant KPIs such as Average Transaction Value (ATV) and Transactions Per Customer (TPC). During the interview, discuss how you have used these metrics to drive performance and improve results in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Team Development
Highlight your experience in training and developing team members. Discuss how you create a culture of learning and recognition, and provide examples of how you've supported colleagues in their personal and professional growth.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are essential for a Store Leader. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and engagingly, and be ready to discuss how you've built relationships at all levels within an organisation to foster collaboration and success.