Store Manager in Portsmouth

Our client is one of the fastest growing companies in the UK in their field. They are currently looking for a Store Manager to join the team in their Southampton branch.

Context of the Role:

The Store is the operational heart of the company. The Store Manager is therefore pivotal in ensuring company profitability through the provision of continuous sales activities, excellent customer service and high-level organisational management. The underlying functions of the Store Manager are:

• To ensure growth and maximum profitability is achieved at all times.
• To market and sell both products, and the company as one of the leading suppliers of its product type in the UK.
• To ensure a safe working environment for staff and customers alike by adhering to H&S Policies and Procedures.

Principle Objectives:

The Principle Objective of the Store Manager is to develop and sustain activities that ensure maximum profit and optimum customer service is achieved by the Store. To achieve this, the Store Manager will:

• Achieve the financial targets agreed for the Store;
• Ensure compliance with company operational and financial procedures;
• Continually seek opportunities available for increasing occupancy and revenue, including unit mix;
• Design and carry out marketing and sales activity plans with support from the Regional Manager;
• Respond effectively to the diverse needs of each customer;
• Assist with the recruitment, training and continual development of new and existing employees;
• Ensuring the store presents itself to a high standard of cleanliness;
• Making sure that all Health & Safety procedures are adhered to for the benefit of customers and staff alike;
• Manage, monitor and adapt the working practices of the Store staff to ensure that the Store is operating to its optimum efficiency;
• Identify any store repair & maintenance issues, report and follow up.

Main Duties:

• Ensure a Marketing Plan is in place to achieve the store financial targets, at all times ensuring it is carried out effectively;
• Effectively manage and accurately record all enquiries using CMS;
• Monitor and improve conversion rates and mystery shop scores of all staff through observation and coaching;
• Maintain awareness of local market conditions using competitor surveys and customer feedback;
• All standard and ad-hoc reporting is accurate and timely and follows all current company procedures;
• Carry out quarterly Personal Development Plans (PDPs) and annual appraisals with all members of the team;
• Coach and support all members of the store team to enable them to achieve their highest level of potential;
• Ensure rotas are fair to all, approved by the Regional Manager and appropriate to the store;
• Maintain company standards of housekeeping, ensuring all areas portray a professional image;
• Account accurately and fully for all monies received into and paid from the Store;
• Complete all managerial and monitoring duties associated with company compliance;
• Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for customers and staff through accurate completion of company checklists;
• Maintain Health and Safety training records and identify in advance, licences and certificates which are due to expire and book the appropriate training course;
• To comply with Health and Safety legislation and identify and report where action needs to be taken;
• To provide help and support to other stores when required;
• Any ad-hoc duties are completed.

The Ideal Candidate:

In order to be successful in the role the ideal candidate will have the following relevant experience:

• At least 12 months experience as a Store Manager gained in a commercial Retail environment. Our client may consider Assistant Manager level candidates from large Retail Footprints.
• Ideal candidates will have experience gained from a Retail sector where a close engagement with customers is required and a consultative sales approach.
• Candidates from a Trade background are also invited to apply where there is full customer facing interaction.
• You will be a confident leader, happy to work in an environment where you will deal with customers over the phone, via email and face to face.
• You will be driven, passionate and a highly engaging leader who can inspire your team to drive KPI's and provide the best service in a highly competitive market.

Salary: £37,503 Basic + Strong benefits package