At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a small team to deliver amazing results in a retail environment.
- Company: Join Grape Tree, a rapidly growing retailer with over 200 stores across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team culture focused on growth and success.
- Why this job: Inspire and motivate your team while creating a positive shopping experience for customers.
- Qualifications: Experience in people management, retail, and a passion for developing others.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
As a Store Manager at Grape Tree, your primary focus is leading, supporting and developing a small team to deliver brilliant results. You will set the tone, guide the store's culture and ensure your team members feel confident, motivated and valued. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you're not just managing a shop – you're building a successful team, shaping behaviours, and inspiring high performance every day.
People & Team Leadership
- Lead, motivate and develop a small team, creating an environment where everyone feels supported and able to grow.
- Coach staff in customer service, selling skills, product knowledge and daily operations.
- Build a strong team culture where expectations are clear and teamwork is central to success.
- Support team members' progression through structured on-the-job development.
- Communicate openly, fairly and confidently – leading by example at all times.
- Promote a positive working atmosphere where staff feel valued, trusted and included.
- Ensure the store is well‑presented, fully stocked and delivers a fantastic customer experience.
- Oversee stock control, deliveries and basic back‑of‑house organisation.
- Maintain accurate cash handling and safe procedures.
- Drive daily performance through clear direction, structure and teamwork.
- Keep store standards high, ensuring the team delivers consistency every day.
Qualifications
- Proven people management or supervisory experience – ideally in retail or a fast‑paced environment.
- A confident leader who enjoys developing others and bringing the best out of a small team.
- Someone who thrives on responsibility, stays calm under pressure and leads with positivity.
- A practical, hands‑on approach – you're involved, visible, and ready to support your team on the shop floor.
- Strong organisational and communication skills.
- Ambitious, energetic and driven to achieve results through your team.
- Experience in retail, convenience, food retail or customer‑facing leadership roles is desirable.
- We’re looking for someone who fits into our culture – positive, proud, people‑focused and ready to grow with us.
Company & Location
Grape Tree, established in 2012, now operates over 200 stores across the UK – and continues to grow every year. We are now looking for a passionate, driven and people‑focused Retail Store Manager for our new store within our expanding portfolio in GUILDFORD.
Recruitment
If you love leading people, developing talent and creating a positive team culture, this is the role for you. If you think you're the ideal candidate and want to be part of our expanding Grape Tree family, we would love to hear from you.
Retail Store Manager - GUILDFORD employer: JG Foods t/a Grape Tree
Grape Tree is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its team members, fostering a positive and inclusive work culture in Guildford. As a Retail Store Manager, you will not only lead a dedicated team but also benefit from structured on-the-job development opportunities, ensuring that every employee feels valued and motivated to achieve their best. With a focus on teamwork and high performance, Grape Tree offers a rewarding environment where your leadership can truly make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Store Manager - GUILDFORD
✨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 JG Foods t/a Grape Tree, 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 JG Foods t/a Grape Tree!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Store Manager - GUILDFORD
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 JG Foods t/a Grape Tree, 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 JG Foods t/a Grape Tree 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 JG Foods t/a Grape Tree that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at JG Foods t/a Grape Tree
✨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!
