At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to drive sales and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
- Company: Join GO Outdoors, a leading retailer dedicated to making the outdoors accessible for everyone.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, holiday allowance, gym memberships, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values every colleague's contribution.
- Why this job: Empower adventurers and inspire your team in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: Previous retail management experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
We are excited to be opening a new GO Outdoors store in Tunbridge Wells and are looking for passionate colleagues to join us as we build a successful team in this new location.
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?
At GO Outdoors, we don’t just equip adventures — we inspire them. As a Department Manager, you’ll play a crucial role in supporting one of the UK’s leading outdoor retailers. You’ll work alongside the Store Manager to drive results, develop talent, and deliver an exceptional customer experience, ensuring the store delivers the high standards GO Outdoors is known for every single day. If you’re ready to step up, lead with confidence, and help shape a high-performing team in a fast-paced retail environment, this is your opportunity to make your impact.
Role Overview
As a Department Manager at GO Outdoors, you are a key driver of your department’s success and contribute to the overall performance of the store. You lead from the front — motivating your team, driving performance alongside the Store Manager, and ensuring every shift delivers strong results. You help inspire your colleagues to excel, uphold high standards, and move the store toward ambitious sales targets and operational excellence. This role is all about confident leadership, strong commercial awareness, and the ability to elevate your team so the store achieves success together.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Store Manager with daily store operations to help achieve sales targets and core KPIs.
- Lead and guide colleagues on the shop floor, allocating tasks, supporting service delivery, and maintaining GO Outdoors standards throughout the day.
- Take ownership of your department, ensuring it is commercially strong, well presented, and aligned to store priorities.
- Assist with coaching and development, offering real-time feedback and reinforcing expectations set by the Store Manager.
- Maintain GO Outdoors’ high presentation and operational standards, including availability, pricing accuracy, tidy displays, and a safe environment.
- Carry out core operational duties such as cash handling support, till checks, delivery processing, stock audits, and opening/closing routines — escalating issues appropriately.
Skills & Experience Required
- Previous experience in a retail management or supervisory role, such as Department Manager, Assistant Store Manager or Supervisor, demonstrating readiness to support leadership.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide, develop, and motivate staff while reinforcing store priorities.
- Confidence in interpreting KPI and sales data to support commercial decision-making and shift focus.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, supporting colleagues and ensuring professional customer interactions.
- Proven success driving sales performance and contributing to KPI achievement in a retail environment.
Desirable Attributes
- Passion for retail and the outdoors, with an enthusiasm for representing the GO Outdoors brand.
- Professional, proactive leader with a solutions-driven mindset.
- Hands-on and committed to leading by example in all areas of the store.
- Resilient, adaptable, and able to remain composed under pressure.
- Customer-focused, with a strong commitment to delivering a great in-store experience.
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 values: 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
Department Manager - New Store Opening in Royal Tunbridge Wells 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 Department Manager - New Store Opening in Royal Tunbridge Wells
✨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 Department Manager - New Store Opening in Royal Tunbridge Wells
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!
