At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Trainee Manager and learn to drive store performance and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Company: Majestic Wine, the UK's largest specialist wine retailer, is revolutionising retail.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, staff discounts, career development, and exciting incentives.
- Other info: Full training provided, plus invites to exclusive wine-tasting events.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in retail with hands-on training and opportunities for growth.
- Qualifications: Teamwork experience in fast-paced environments; passion for learning about wine is essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 ÂŁ per year.
Fancy joining the UK’s number one Wine Specialist? Majestic Wine in Winchester are looking for a dynamic, ambitious and driven individual who wants to grow and develop in a company that's revolutionising retail!
Majestic is the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, operating a network of over 200 stores nationwide. Founded in 1980, the company recently passed back into private ownership following the acquisition of Fortress Investment Group and has undergone an ambitious transformation and turnaround programme. The results of which are now being seen, with record market share growth, a new and improved product range, a new website and six new stores— with a pipeline for future expansion over the next five years.
With no minimum purchase, the Majestic range includes over 1,100 different wines, spirits and beers both online and in‑store. Majestic’s key strength is over 1,000 WSET‑trained colleagues offering knowledgeable, friendly service across all channels.
The Role
As a Majestic Trainee Manager you will embark on a 12‑month development programme that will give you a detailed understanding and experience of all operational, service & leadership standards expected to become a future Majestic Store Manager. You will work through the career‑pathway training programme with the support of your Store Manager setting you up for future success.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive store performance by maximising sales opportunities.
- Optimise KPI performance in store by identifying focus KPIs and building plans to improve them and exceed targets.
- Deliver exceptional market‑leading customer service to drive business growth through customer loyalty & repeat purchases.
- Demonstrate that you make your own luck by offering your customers a VIP concierge service, actively contacting them with updates on products and tastings.
- Sell the story not the Discount.
- Demonstrate and share your passion for product with customers through an in‑depth knowledge of our range, managing a tasting events programme and executing an enticing and commercially savvy tasting counter.
- Take ownership for your wine knowledge, constantly learning about our products to support your WSET qualification and confidence in selling.
- Take accountability and pride for the physical appearance and maintenance of your store both internally & externally.
- Involve yourself in all operational tasks to establish a thorough understanding of the day‑to‑day operations of running a Majestic Wine store—from delivering wine to our customers, merchandising stock deliveries and calling our valued customers to drive sales opportunities.
- Continuously identify opportunities to make improvements which will optimise the operational running of the store.
- Ensure you remain fully compliant, safe & legal by following internal policies, processes and completing mandatory training.
- Take ownership of your own development, utilising the support and resources available.
- Be an example of Majestic’s Ways of Working and a source of support for more junior team members, feeding back to your Store Manager as appropriate.
Knowledge & Skills Required
- Experience of working as part of a team in a fast‑paced, target‑driven retail or hospitality environment.
- Be able to demonstrate your ability to deliver exceptional customer experience & service to every single customer.
- Prioritise and strategically solve problems in high‑pressure environments.
- Self‑motivated, able to thrive when working alone and as part of a team.
- Have a can‑do attitude with a passion for seeing problems through to solutions.
- Adaptable and resilient to meet the ever‑changing demands of our business.
- Excellent communication and time‑management skills.
- Wine knowledge is beneficial but passion to learn more is essential to pass Level 2 & 3 WSET wine qualifications.
- Hold a full UK/EU/EEA driving licence for at least 12 months with no more than 6 penalty points.
What Is In It For You
- Competitive salary & performance bonus.
- Up to 20% staff discount.
- Career development opportunities – we are passionate about nurturing our internal talent, offering career progression supported by our excellent in‑house training schemes.
- Fantastic incentives that take you around the world to explore our different vineyards.
- Contributory company pension plan.
- Life assurance (worth 2 times your annual salary).
- Uniform provided.
- 29 days holiday, including public and bank holidays.
- Invites to wine‑tasting events.
- Access to Retail Trust which includes: Retail rewards—instant savings with discounted e‑vouchers, discounted reloadable shopping cards, gift vouchers and gift cards, discounts up to 30%; access to free counselling and support phone line.
- Company maternity, paternity and adoption leave after 26 weeks.
- Long‑service rewards.
- Full training provided for your first 3 months with us, continued support throughout your career with Majestic Wine.
- Company sick pay scheme.
Job Specifics
- Contract: Permanent.
- Hours: 45 hours per week.
- Driving is a key part of this position, so being comfortable driving one of our company vans is essential.
- We will not accept candidates without a full UK manual driver’s licence (held for at least 12 months) for this position.
- Must be willing to work across both of our Aylesbury and Thame stores.
Retail Trainee Manager - Winchester employer: Majestic Wine
Contact Detail:
Majestic Wine Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Trainee Manager - Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Majestic Wine's history, values, and recent changes. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since delivering exceptional service is key for this role, think of examples from your past experiences where you went above and beyond for a customer. Be ready to share these stories during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for wine! Even if you're not a wine expert yet, demonstrate your eagerness to learn. Mention any relevant courses or certifications you're considering, like the WSET qualifications, to highlight your commitment to growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to keep yourself on their radar and show your enthusiasm for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Trainee Manager - Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for wine and retail shine through! We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about providing exceptional customer service and are excited about the opportunity to learn and grow with us.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Trainee Manager. Highlight any relevant experience in retail or hospitality, especially where you've worked in fast-paced environments. We love seeing how your skills align with our needs!
Be Specific About Your Experience: In your cover letter, be specific about your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of the Trainee Manager role. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to drive sales, deliver great customer service, and work as part of a team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Majestic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Majestic Wine
✨Know Your Wines
Brush up on your wine knowledge before the interview. Familiarise yourself with Majestic's range and be ready to discuss your favourite wines or any recent trends in the wine industry. Showing genuine passion for the product will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples of how you've delivered exceptional customer service in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you went above and beyond for a customer, as this aligns perfectly with Majestic's focus on providing a VIP experience.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Majestic values teamwork, so be ready to share experiences where you've successfully collaborated with others. Highlight your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and how you contribute positively to team dynamics.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the company’s future plans. This shows your interest in the position and helps you understand how you can contribute to Majestic's growth and success.