At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic retail team to drive performance and create an exceptional customer experience.
- Company: Join the iconic Marks & Spencer, known for its commitment to inclusivity and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, bonuses, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique contributions and supports your growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in retail with strong communication and decision-making skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery of the full retail plan across the store driving commercial, operational, visual and people performance to deliver against the P&L.
- Set the strategy and direction for the store, ensuring every colleague knows their part, plays it, and is held accountable for delivering it.
- Own the change agenda, landing transformation initiatives with clarity, urgency and pace.
- Build a high‑performance culture by coaching managers, growing talent, and creating a store that people want to join and stay in.
- Use data and insight to unlock opportunity, making fast, confident decisions that drive profit, improve service, and boost efficiency.
- Drive digital adoption and omnichannel capability—helping teams sell across all platforms and channels.
- Be the voice of your store—representing your people, saying it as it is, and owning the follow‑through on what needs to improve.
- Create an exceptional customer journey through consistent standards, inspiring visual merchandising, and diverse teams that go the extra mile.
Qualifications
- A proven leader of large teams in a fast‑paced retail environment, with a sharp focus on delivery, standards and results.
- Confident working across all areas of store performance—including commercial, visual, operations and people—and knowing how to bring them together for impact.
- A clear and direct communicator, with the courage to make tough calls and the skill to bring colleagues along.
- Strong on planning, performance management and resilience: able to balance the big picture with detail and always hold the line and set expectations.
- Confident using digital tools, data and systems to make better, faster decisions and coaching others to do the same.
- Skilled in building partnerships across your team, your peers and your region to share insights, solve problems and deliver transformation.
Benefits
- 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and a household member.
- Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.
- Discretionary bonus schemes based on achieving personal objectives and overall business performance.
- A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
- A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes.
- Amazing perks and discounts via the M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
- Industry‑leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
- Access to a range of wellbeing support, including 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist for you and your family.
- A charity volunteer day to support a cause you’re passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.
Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and excel.
Designate Store Manager in Chichester employer: Marks and Spencer plc (UK)
Marks & Spencer is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance culture, empowering Designate Store Managers to lead dynamic teams in a fast-paced retail environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth through tailored training programmes and a focus on inclusivity, M&S offers competitive benefits including generous holiday entitlement, a robust pension scheme, and unique perks that enhance both financial and personal wellbeing. Located in a vibrant community, M&S provides a supportive atmosphere where every colleague can thrive and contribute to delivering an outstanding customer journey.
Contact Details:
Marks and Spencer plc (UK) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designate Store Manager in Chichester
✨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 Marks and Spencer plc (UK), 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 Marks and Spencer plc (UK)!
We think you need these skills to ace Designate Store Manager in Chichester
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 Marks and Spencer plc (UK), 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 Marks and Spencer plc (UK) 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 Marks and Spencer plc (UK) that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer plc (UK)
✨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!
