Central Support Lead

Central Support Lead

Full-Time 56700 - 69300 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Musgrave

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive operational excellence and support retailers in improving profitability and performance.
  • Company: Join Musgrave, a leading family-owned business with a rich legacy in food innovation.
  • Benefits: Career development, collaborative environment, and a focus on community impact.
  • Other info: Enjoy a hybrid working model for flexibility and work-life balance.
  • Why this job: Be part of a legacy that values innovation and makes a positive difference.
  • Qualifications: Experience in retail operations and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.

Join Our Family at Musgrave

Musgrave is one of Europe’s most successful family-owned businesses, with a rich 150-year legacy in food and brand innovation.

We`re proud to serve communities across Ireland and Spain, feeding one in three people every day through iconic brands like Super Valu, Centra, Mace, Frank and Honest, and Musgrave Market Place.

By supporting thousands of retail and food service family businesses, we make a positive impact on the communities they serve.

We`re committed to becoming the most trusted and sustainable business in Ireland, and we`re looking for dynamic, forward-thinking individuals to join us on this journey.

Central Support Lead

As part of our ambition to drive brilliant basics, we are seeking a Central Support Lead to drive operational excellence, profitability, and strategic transformational initiatives across our retail estate.

This colleague will partner closely with retailers, operational teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure stores consistently deliver against operational standards while improving commercial performance and customer experience.

The role will lead the development and implementation of new initiatives that support retailer profitability, compliance, and the successful adoption of new technologies, processes, and ways of working.

Working across retail operations, trading, technology, finance, supply chain, and store development, the Central Operations Lead will play a key role in delivering Musgrave`s operational and strategic agenda, ensuring retailers are equipped to maximise performance today while embracing the future of convenience retail.

  • What you’ll be doing
  • Retailer Profitability & Performance
  • Support retailers in identifying and implementing opportunities to improve profitability, sales growth, productivity, and operational efficiency.
  • Analyse key performance indicators and provide actionable recommendations to improve performance.
  • Partner with retailers to drive improvements in labour efficiency, waste reduction, stock management, and margin performance through the Winning Store Programme.
  • Develop and support initiatives that enhance commercial outcomes and operational effectiveness.
  • Operational Standards & Compliance
  • Lead the execution and governance of operational standards across the network.
  • Ensure consistent adoption of the Winning Store Programme and associated operating disciplines.
  • Conduct operational reviews and audits to identify compliance risks and improvement opportunities.
  • Develop action plans to address process gaps and drive continuous improvement.
  • Partner the Customer Service Manager to Deliver Call & Claim SLA’s
  • Transformation & Change Delivery
  • Lead the operational implementation of strategic transformation initiatives across the retail estate.
  • Support the development and execution of the retailer profitability roadmap and future operating model.
  • Manage cross-functional projects from planning through to implementation and benefit realisation.
  • Ensure retailers and store teams are effectively prepared for and supported through change.
  • Monitor programme performance and recommend corrective actions where required.
  • Technology & Digital Roadmap
  • Drive the operational deployment and adoption of key technology initiatives.
  • Support implementation of self-service technologies, digital store solutions, sales-based ordering, loyalty platforms, enhanced reporting tools, and future retail innovations.
  • Act as the link between retailers and technology teams to ensure successful implementation and user adoption.
  • Monitor operational benefits and support continuous optimisation following implementation.
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Build strong relationships with retailers and key internal stakeholders.
  • Act as a trusted advisor on retail operations, compliance, and performance improvement
  • Collaborate with Trading, Supply Chain, Technology, Finance, and Retail Support teams to deliver business objectives.
  • Ensure clear communication, alignment, and effective issue resolution across programmes and initiatives
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Identify opportunities to simplify processes and improve retailer experiences.
  • Capture learnings from operational programmes and transformation projects.
  • Use data and insight to inform future operational priorities.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence
  • Key Deliverables
  • Improved retailer profitability across the network.
  • High levels of operational compliance and execution against agreed standards.
  • Successful delivery of retailer profitability initiatives and transformation programmes.
  • Effective rollout and adoption of strategic technology investments.
  • Improved productivity, stock management, waste control, and labour efficiency.
  • Strong retailer engagement and satisfaction with operational support.
  • Delivery of programme benefits within agreed timelines and budgets.
  • Consistent execution of the Winning Store Operating Model across the estate.
  • Reduction in operational risks and compliance issues.
  • Clear reporting and measurement of operational and commercial performance
  • What We’re Looking For
  • Significant experience in retail operations, business improvement, or operational leadership.
  • Proven track record of delivering operational improvement and change initiatives.
  • Experience working with retail performance metrics and profitability improvement programmes.
  • Experience managing multiple projects and stakeholders within a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience supporting operational compliance and standards execution.
  • Previous experience within convenience, grocery retail, or franchise/independent retail environments is desirable.

Skills

  • Strong commercial acumen with an understanding of retail profit drivers.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
  • Project and programme management skills.
  • Ability to influence and drive change across diverse stakeholder groups.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to interpret data and translate insights into practical actions.
  • High attention to detail and strong execution focus.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results.

What we Offer or Why Musgrave

  • Career Development: With a commitment to your personal and professional growth, Musgrave offers numerous opportunities for advancement and learning.
  • Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a passionate team, where your contributions will make a significant impact.
  • Innovation Focus: Be part of a company that values forward-thinking solutions.
  • Community Focus: Be part of a company that truly values its communities and strives to make a positive impact.
  • Be Part of a Legacy: Join a company with a long-standing commitment to community and innovation.

Musgrave is an equal opportunities employer.

We encourage applications from diverse candidates.

If we can make any accommodations to enable you to be the best version of yourself during the interview, please let us know.

Musgrave operates a Work Smart hybrid working model where you can alternate your time between connecting and collaborating in the business and working remotely.

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Central Support Lead employer: Musgrave

Musgrave is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community impact and innovation. As a family-owned business with a rich legacy, we provide numerous opportunities for career development and personal growth, all while fostering a collaborative environment where your contributions truly matter. Join us in Belfast as a Customer Service Retail Supervisor and be part of a team dedicated to delivering outstanding service and making a positive difference in the communities we serve.

Musgrave

Contact Details:

Musgrave Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Central Support Lead

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 Musgrave, 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 Musgrave!

We think you need these skills to ace Central Support Lead

Retail Operations
Business Improvement
Operational Leadership
Project Management
Stakeholder Management
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

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 Musgrave, 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 Musgrave 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 Musgrave that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at Musgrave

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!