At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail operations and deliver exceptional service across popular brands.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a global leader in improving Quality of Life services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, mental health support, flexible work environment, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive employer with a commitment to diversity and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic team while enhancing customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-unit retail management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 48000 £ per year.
Up to £48,000, depending on experience
40 Hours per week / 5 Days a week with occasional weekends
27 Days holiday per year
Location: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL
Join our dynamic team at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust as a Retail Operations Manager and lead the way in delivering exceptional service and operational excellence across our retail outlets. In this pivotal role, you will be a key member of the site management team, overseeing popular brands such as Greggs, Subway, coffee shops, and Sodexo branded cafés and offers. Your expertise will ensure outstanding customer experiences, strict compliance, and the maximisation of profitability across multiple locations. You'll support strategic retail initiatives, driving the implementation of tailored offers and innovative solutions to enhance our retail services. If you are a passionate leader with a proven track record in retail operations and a drive for excellence, we want to hear from you.
What You'll Do:
- Deliver budgeted profit and turnover across all retail outlets.
- Ensure compliance with franchise standards, NHS Trust policies, and Sodexo procedures.
- Manage financial budgets, stock levels, wastage, and labour efficiency.
- Drive customer satisfaction, measured via Clients for Life reviews and audits.
- Recruit, train, and develop retail staff, ensuring performance reviews and career development.
- Ensure the DRIVE system is managed on site and allergens and calories are displayed.
- Map and deliver future retail landscape plans.
- Liaise with third party contractors to ensure quality and compliance.
- Oversee payroll accuracy and resolve queries promptly.
- Escalate operational, financial, compliance, or reputational risks.
- Provide 7 day cover on a rota basis.
- Lead refurbishment planning and innovation in menus and offers.
- Ensure retail audit tools are in operation and results reported.
- Support promotional programmes and share best practice across sites.
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and will be amended in light of the changing needs of the service.
What You Bring (Essential):
- Proven experience managing multi‑unit retail operations and diverse workforces.
- Experience in franchise management (Greggs, Subway, or equivalent).
- Strong customer facing and retail/sales background with budget accountability.
- Excellent communication skills with patients, visitors, colleagues, and clients.
- Ability to work independently, flexibly, and professionally under pressure.
- Strong literacy and numerical skills.
- Positive attitude, enthusiasm, and team leadership skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Level 3 Food Safety.
- Experience in the training and development of staff.
Desirable:
- HND in Hotel, Catering or Institutional Management.
- Experience of working within a unionised environment.
- Experience of collaborative working within a joint hard and soft FM environment.
What we offer:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
- Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
- Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
- The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
- Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan.
- A Death in Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo.
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
- Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
- Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
- Flexible and dynamic work environment.
- Competitive compensation.
- Full training and full protective uniform supplied.
About Sodexo:
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of Onsite Food and FM Services, Benefits and Rewards Services and Personal and Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents and Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins. We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job. Read more about our inclusive culture.
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications. Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today! Career progression for the caring profession.
Retail General ManagerUp in Manchester employer: Sodexo
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the well-being and growth of our employees. With a dynamic work culture that promotes inclusivity and collaboration, we offer extensive benefits including mental health support, career development opportunities, and a flexible work environment. Join us in Manchester, where you can lead a passionate team in delivering outstanding retail services while enjoying competitive compensation and a commitment to your professional journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail General ManagerUp in Manchester
✨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 Sodexo, 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 Sodexo!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail General ManagerUp in Manchester
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 Sodexo, 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 Sodexo 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 Sodexo that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨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!
