Deputy Store Manager - South Kensington in London

The Deputy Store Manager plays a key role in supporting the Store Manager with the effective day-to-day operation of the store. You will help lead and motivate the team to deliver outstanding customer service, drive sales, and maintain high standards of store presentation and compliance. In the absence of the Store Manager, you will take full responsibility for store operations, ensuring all processes run smoothly and efficiently. This role requires strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills, with a focus on supporting team development and contributing to the overall success of the store.

Key Responsibilities

• Sales and Profit: Motivate and challenge the team to exceed store performance targets, driving sales and profit growth through effective decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Customer Service: Engage with customers and colleagues to deliver outstanding service, enhance customer loyalty, and ensure a positive in-store experience.
• Team Leadership and Development: Lead, train, coach, and empower team members to build a knowledgeable, motivated, and effective team that is aligned with company vision and values.
• Store Operations and Compliance: Act as store leader in the absence of the Store Manager, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of customers and colleagues, and maintaining high standards of store presentation, merchandising, and cleanliness.
• Process and Standards Management: Monitor and ensure adherence to in-store processes, trading standards, and legal requirements to protect the company's reputation and customer confidence.
• Product and Promotion Knowledge: Stay up to date with products, services, and promotions, and coach the team to provide tailored solutions for customers.
• Stock and Inventory: Support stock control, deliveries, and inventory management to ensure product availability and minimise losses.
• Communication and Reporting: Ensure effective communication within the team and with management, and assist with preparing reports on sales, stock, and team performance.
• Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement: Address operational or customer issues promptly and identify opportunities to improve store processes and team performance.

Skills and Experience Required

• Essential
• Retail Experience: Previous experience in a store leadership or team leader role within a retail environment.
• Leadership: Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop a team.
• Customer Service: Proven ability to deliver excellent customer service and resolve customer queries or complaints.
• Sales Focus: Experience supporting sales growth and achieving store targets.
• Organisation: Excellent organisational and time management skills for managing store operations and colleague rotas.
• Communication: Effective communication and interpersonal skills for working with colleagues, customers, and management.
• Problem Solving: Ability to address and resolve operational and customer issues promptly.
• Stock Management: Experience supporting stock control, deliveries, and inventory processes.
• Compliance: Understanding of health and safety, trading standards, and company policy compliance in a retail setting.
• Adaptability: Flexible and able to take responsibility for store operations in the absence of the Store Manager.
• Flexibility: Adaptable and reliable, with a positive attitude and willingness to work varied shifts, including weekends.
• Desirable
• Recruitment and Training: Experience assisting with recruitment, training, and development of colleagues.
• IT Skills: Proficiency in using retail systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Process Improvement: Experience identifying and implementing improvements to store processes or customer experience.