At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the retail operation, manage stock, and serve customers at Kents Cavern.
- Company: Join Kents Cavern, a historic site welcoming visitors from around the globe.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and hands-on experience in a vibrant environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a unique prehistoric setting.
- Qualifications: Strong commercial awareness and excellent customer service skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and engaging role.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Kents Cavern is one of Britain’s most important prehistoric sites, welcoming visitors from around the world. Our shop and ticket sales desk are at the heart of the visitor experience, and we’re looking for a practical, commercially focused Retail Manager to lead this area. This is a hands-on role. While you will manage the retail operation, there is a clear expectation that you will take an active role on the shop floor during peak periods, serving customers and selling tickets alongside the team.
The Role
The Retail Manager is responsible for running the retail operation and delivering the agreed budget. You will ensure the shop is well-stocked, well presented and commercially successful, with the right products, at the right price, in the right place. At Kents Cavern, the shop and ticket sales desk are the same point of service. Selling admission tickets is a core part of the shop’s function, and selling ticket sales is another responsibility for staff working in the shop. You will also investigate the feasibility, and lead the implementation of an online shop, working with colleagues to promote retail sales through the website and social media.
What You Will Deliver
- Retail sales targets and budget achieved
- A clean, tidy, well-stocked shop that is ready to trade every day
- Products that sell well and deliver strong margins
- Accurate stock levels with effective stock control
- Clear and reliable reporting on sales, stock, and performance
Key Responsibilities
- Delivering the retail budget and driving sales performance
- Selecting, developing, and pricing products to maximise sales and profit
- Ordering stock in a timely way to ensure key lines are always available
- Maintaining strong stock control and minimising loss or waste
- Ensuring the shop is clean, tidy, and attractively presented at all times
- Keeping shelves and displays fully stocked and visually appealing
- Taking an active, hands-on role in the shop during busy periods, including serving customers and selling tickets
- Ensuring staff are trained, confident, and knowledgeable about products and ticket options
- Managing the online shop, keeping listings accurate and up to date
- Work with the Graphic Designer to ensure the shop is looking on brand at all times.
- Monitoring performance, identifying issues early, and resolving them quickly
- Providing clear, accurate sales and stock reporting to management
Skills and Experience
- Strong commercial awareness and confidence working with budgets and figures
- Well organised with excellent attention to detail
- Good understanding of what sells and why
- Ability to price products effectively
- High standards of cleanliness, presentation, and organisation
- Forward-thinking approach to stock management
- Clear, straightforward communication style
- Comfortable working in a customer-facing, operational role
- Kents Cavern uses the Digitickets back-office system and ProPoint EPOS. Applicants with knowledge and experience of these systems would be at an advantage.
What Success Looks Like
- The shop consistently meets its budget
- Products sell well and deliver profit
- Stock is controlled and displays remain full
- The shop and online store are well presented and run smoothly
- Customers enjoy the experience, buy more, and return
- Management has confidence in your figures and reporting
Interviews will be held on site at Kents Cavern throughout the duration of the role being advertised. The successful candidate will be informed no later than 28th February 2026.
Retail Manager in Torquay employer: Kents Cavern
Contact Detail:
Kents Cavern Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Manager in Torquay
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Kents Cavern, its history, and its retail operations. This way, when you walk into that interview, you can show off your knowledge and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since this role is hands-on, think of examples where you've excelled in a customer-facing position. Be ready to share how you’ve handled tough situations or boosted sales in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your commercial awareness! Be prepared to discuss how you would manage stock levels and pricing strategies. Think about what products might sell well at Kents Cavern and how you’d keep the shop looking appealing.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Kents Cavern.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Manager in Torquay
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Retail: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for retail! Share any relevant experiences that highlight your love for customer service and sales. We want to know why you’re excited about the Retail Manager role at Kents Cavern.
Be Specific About Your Skills: Make sure to mention your strong commercial awareness and experience with budgets. We’re looking for someone who can manage stock effectively and drive sales, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past!
Keep It Neat and Tidy: Just like we expect our shop to be well-presented, your application should be too! Use clear formatting, check for typos, and ensure everything is easy to read. A polished application shows attention to detail, which is key for this role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Kents Cavern and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kents Cavern
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Retail Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong commercial awareness. Brush up on your understanding of budgets and sales figures before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets in the past and how you plan to achieve sales targets at Kents Cavern.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
This role is all about being practical and hands-on. Prepare examples of times when you've actively engaged with customers on the shop floor. Highlight your ability to manage stock while also serving customers, as this will show that you're ready to jump in during peak periods.
✨Understand the Product Mix
Familiarise yourself with what sells well in retail environments similar to Kents Cavern. Think about how you would select and price products to maximise sales and profit. Be prepared to share your thoughts on product selection and merchandising strategies during the interview.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and straightforwardly. You might be asked about how you would train staff or report on sales performance, so think about how you can convey complex information in an easy-to-understand way.