At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team across 85 shops to drive retail success.
- Company: Join Mind Retail, a passionate organisation fighting for mental health.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities in a diverse and supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mental health while shaping an inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multi-site retail operations and strategic thinking.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 67000 £ per year.
Job Description
About the role
We’re recruiting for a Head of Retail Operations for our Northern Division. In this role, you’ll be at the heart of driving success within six regions, leading a team of dedicated Regional Managers across 85 shops with around 270 colleagues.
This isn’t just about overseeing operations – it’s about owning them. You’ll have the freedom and autonomy to shape the strategy for your division, making key decisions on everything from financial performance to people development. You’ll build a values-led, inclusive culture – one where our people feel appreciated, respected and supported.
As part of the senior leadership team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of Mind Retail, bringing fresh ideas and driving initiatives that make a real impact. And because every pound we make in our shops helps support Mind’s mission, the work you do will have a lasting and meaningful impact.
This is a role for an ambitious leader – someone ready to take ownership, think strategically and inspire a team to do great things.
We’re looking for someone who:
· Is a natural leader, passionate about creating high-performing teams and building an inclusive culture
· Has senior-level experience leading multi-site, large-scale retail operations and knows how to drive commercial success
· Understands retail finances inside out, from managing P&L’s, to spotting opportunities for growth
· Thinks strategically, but isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and make things happen
· Embodies our values and behaviours
Ready to make a difference?
Join Mind Retail. Join the fight for mental health.
Due to our commitment to work/life balance, you must live within reasonable travelling distance of the division. The geography of the division covers the North West, Yorkshire & Humber, North East, East & West Midlands and North Wales.
Mind Retail reserve the right to close the vacancy to applications earlier, should we receive a high volume of strong candidates. Therefore we encourage an early application.
About our benefits
As Head of Operations, you’ll receive:
· A competitive salary of £59,753 per year
· A company car
· A strong commitment to work-life balance with a working pattern that supports this, with the occasional weekend working
· 25 days’ paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays
· Development workshops & courses, to help build your career
· Comprehensive, personalised induction programmes, tailored to your role when you join us
· A huge variety of additional qualifications & development programmes for anyone looking to grow their skills
· Family friendly policies & enhanced pay
· A competitive pension scheme & life assurance, available to all our employees
· 25% staff discount in all Mind shops
· Access to exclusive discounts at over 160 retailers through our employee savings app
· Employee Assistance Programme
· Cycle to Work Scheme
· Interest free season ticket loan
About Mind Retail
Mind Retail are a network of almost 200 shops across England and Wales, generating an income of around £25 million per year. We have ambitious plans to grow over the next few years and we’re going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before. We won't stop until everyone with a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve. There’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We value the power of diversity. We embrace the different perspectives that each of us bring. We are creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is appreciated for being authentic and bringing their whole selves to work.
Safer Recruitment at Mind Retail
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our employees and volunteers and we expect anyone working with us to share this commitment. In line with our Safer Recruitment policy, the successful candidate will be required to provide references and will be expected to undertake an enhanced DBS check with a check of the Children's Barred List and/or ‘Work with Adults' workforce check based on their role and responsibilities. A DBS check is a process to check someone's criminal record (if they have any). A Barred List is a list of people who are barred from working with children. To enable you to predetermine what might be disclosed in your DBS check, please use this disclosure calculator.
Mind Retail is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applicants from all communities. We are committed to the fair treatment of our staff, potential staff and volunteers, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.
This job vacancy is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
More details
For more information and a full person specification, please check on the Job Description button below.
Head of Retail Operations in Leeds employer: Mind Retail
Mind Retail is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can truly make a difference in the fight for mental health. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, comprehensive development opportunities, and a values-led culture, you'll thrive as part of a supportive team dedicated to creating positive change across the Northern Division. Join us and enjoy competitive benefits, including a company car, generous holiday allowance, and exclusive discounts, all while contributing to a meaningful mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail Operations in Leeds
✨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 Mind Retail, 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 Mind Retail!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail Operations in Leeds
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 Mind Retail, 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 Mind Retail 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 Mind Retail that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mind Retail
✨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!
