At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to drive sales and create an amazing customer experience.
- Company: GO Outdoors, where we inspire everyone to enjoy the great outdoors.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, staff discounts, gym memberships, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to making a positive impact every day.
- Why this job: Empower adventurers and make the outdoors accessible while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Retail management experience and a passion for inspiring teams in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is GO Outdoors. Made for Exploring. Built for Everyone. At GO Outdoors, our purpose is simple: to inspire and equip everyone for life outdoors. From hikers to cyclists, cold-water dippers to weekend campers, we believe the outdoors should be for all - and we’re here to make it accessible with trusted kit and unbeatable value. We’re passionate, practical, and people‑focused. Our values - welcoming, responsible, authentic, and innovative - guide everything we do as we help the nation discover the joy of being out there. If you’re driven to empower every kind of adventurer and make the outdoors accessible to all, you’ll feel right at home with us. This is your moment. This is GO Outdoors. Are you in?
Role Overview
As a Store Manager at GO Outdoors, you take full ownership of your store’s performance, culture, and daily execution. You lead from the front — setting expectations, inspiring your team, and driving strong commercial results through confident decision-making and a deep understanding of the GO Outdoors customer. You create a high-energy environment where colleagues develop, standards remain consistently high, and customers receive a great in-store experience. This role is all about decisive leadership, strong commercial awareness, and the ability to elevate your team so the store delivers excellent results every single day.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the store with energy, visibility, and confidence — driving strong performance across sales, service, and operational execution.
- Inspire and motivate the team on the shop floor, creating a high-impact GO Outdoors experience that converts customer demand into commercial success.
- Use real-time performance insights and trading trends to make quick, commercial decisions that elevate store results and maximise every opportunity.
- Maintain GO Outdoors’ high operational and visual standards — ensuring product availability, clear merchandising, and a safe, compliant environment.
- Develop and grow talent within the store, providing coaching, structured feedback, and clear progression pathways to build future leaders.
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience in retail management with the ability to lead and motivate teams in a fast-moving, high-energy environment.
- Dynamic, confident leader who can drive a performance-focused culture and inspire colleagues at every level.
- Commercially sharp with strong capability in interpreting performance data, product trends, and customer behaviour.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, supporting strong teamwork, engagement, and professional customer interactions.
- Demonstrated success in delivering strong sales results and maintaining high operational standards.
Desirable Attributes
- Passionate about retail and the outdoors, with a strong connection to the GO Outdoors brand.
- Proactive, solution-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving retail environment.
- Hands-on and highly visible on the shop floor, leading by example across all areas of the store.
- Resilient, adaptable, and composed during busy trading periods and peak seasons.
What We Offer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a workplace where every colleague is valued, respected, and empowered. We celebrate the diversity of our teams and strive to ensure that all colleagues — regardless of background, identity, or lived experience — can thrive and contribute meaningfully. As part of our successful and continually evolving company, you’ll be encouraged to embrace our core priorities: putting people first, staying connected to our customers, and delivering operational excellence. We are always exploring new opportunities for growth and welcome individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact every day. We know our employees work tirelessly to make GO Outdoors the success it is today and, in return, we offer some great benefits:
- Incremental Holiday Allowance
- Staff Discount on qualifying purchases across Group retail stores and online
- Exclusive Colleague Bike Discount scheme
- Discounted Gym membership
- Personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work
- Access to Apprenticeships and accredited qualifications
Store Manager in Poole employer: Go Outdoors
At JD Sports, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. As a Store Manager, you will not only lead a dynamic team but also benefit from extensive personal development opportunities, including access to apprenticeships and accredited qualifications. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, competitive benefits like staff discounts and gym memberships, and a commitment to diversity, JD Sports is the perfect place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Store Manager in Poole
✨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 Go Outdoors, 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 Go Outdoors!
We think you need these skills to ace Store Manager in Poole
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 Go Outdoors, 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 Go Outdoors 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 Go Outdoors that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Go Outdoors
✨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!
