Retail Manager

Retail Manager

Full-Time 29700 - 36300 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Lithia & Driveway

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to deliver exceptional customer experiences in a fast-paced retail environment.
  • Company: Join Lithia UK, a leading automotive retailer passionate about transforming personal transportation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, competitive salary, company car, and exclusive discounts.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills and driving team performance.
  • Qualifications: Proven retail sales experience and a passion for coaching and developing others.

The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.

Competitive salary with bonus and company car, pension, life assurance, 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), exclusive company discounts on used car purchases, leasing deals and aftersales services.

Do you thrive on developing people, driving performance, and delivering exceptional customer experiences? Are you commercially minded, analytical, and motivated by achieving ambitious targets? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

At Lithia UK, we're passionate about creating outstanding customer experiences at every stage of the buying journey. As a Retail Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in leading, coaching, and inspiring your team to achieve exceptional results while ensuring every customer receives first‑class service.

What you'll bring:

  • A genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences that build loyalty and keep customers returning to our dealerships.
  • The ability to support the Sales Manager in leading and managing the Sales Executive prospect management process, ensuring customer opportunities are accurately recorded, effectively managed, and converted.
  • A meticulous and compliant approach, with a strong understanding of FCA regulations, Finance & Insurance standards, and the importance of operating within company policies and procedures.
  • A commercial mindset with a proven ability to drive departmental profitability, maximise finance performance, and achieve outstanding customer satisfaction results.
  • A passion for developing people through regular coaching, mentoring, and performance management, helping Sales Executives reach their full potential.
  • Proven automotive retail sales experience, ideally with similar profile brands, and a strong track record of achieving both individual and team performance objectives.
  • Previous experience managing, motivating, and developing sales teams in a fast‑paced retail environment.

What we can offer you:

  • Enjoy 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), giving you more time to relax, recharge, and do what you love.
  • Celebrate your special day with an extra day off on your birthday.
  • Our industry‑leading Family Leave Policies ensure you’re supported when it matters most.
  • Access a new car through our Salary Sacrifice scheme and enjoy a smarter way to drive.
  • Take a paid day to volunteer and give back to a cause close to your heart.
  • We believe in recognising dedication and loyalty, that’s why we celebrate long service milestone anniversaries.
  • Unlock your potential with tailored training and endless career growth opportunities.
  • Commute for less with our cycle to work scheme.
  • Access high street discounts to make the everyday a little more rewarding.
  • Know someone perfect for Lithia UK? Earn rewards through our internal referral scheme.

At Lithia UK, our growth is powered by our people: As one of the largest automotive retailers globally, we’re passionate about transforming the future of personal transportation and setting new standards for exceptional customer experiences. Our values—Earn Customers for Life, Improve Constantly, Take Personal Ownership, and Have Fun!—fuel everything we do. Join us, and you’ll be part of a team that embraces innovation, champions personal growth, and celebrates success together. If you’re ready to make an impact in an environment that empowers you to drive change, we’d love to have you with us on this journey.

Lithia UK are an equal opportunities employer, and we are proud members of Automotive 30% Club, Diversity in Retail and Inclusive Companies. We welcome all applications regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, marital status, socio‑economic background or Veteran status. We will also consider qualified applicants with prior criminal convictions, in accordance with the law.

We want your recruitment journey to be unique to you and as accessible as possible. If you need any additional support with your application or have specific requirements at any stage, please let us know via email: UK_resourcing@lithia.com. Our team will be happy to support you throughout every stage of the process.

Retail Manager employer: Lithia & Driveway

Evans Halshaw in Gateshead is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and uncapped earning potential for Vehicle Technicians. With a strong focus on employee growth through manufacturer training and a supportive work culture, you will enjoy 33 days of holiday, a comprehensive benefits package, and exclusive discounts, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in the automotive industry.

Lithia & Driveway

Contact Details:

Lithia & Driveway Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Retail Manager

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 Lithia & Driveway, 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 Lithia & Driveway!

We think you need these skills to ace Retail Manager

Customer Experience Management
Sales Management
FCA Regulations Knowledge
Finance & Insurance Standards
Commercial Mindset
Performance Management
Coaching and Mentoring

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 Lithia & Driveway, 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 Lithia & Driveway 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 Lithia & Driveway that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lithia & Driveway

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!