Cluster Manager
Salary: Up to £43,000
Locations: Westfield Stratford City, Romford, Ilford, East Ham, Loughton and Epping
With a rich heritage and a new name, TGJones is the fresh face of a much-loved and trusted British brand. Our roots lie in WHSmith, where we’ve proudly supported the high street retail estate for generations. Now, under the ownership of specialist retail investors, Modella Capital, we’re entering an exciting new chapter with bold ambitions to become ‘Your Hub of the High Street’.
About the role
As a Cluster Manager, you’ll lead and inspire a group of TGJones and Post Office stores, driving a unified, high-performance culture across multiple locations. Through strong leadership and a collaborative approach, you’ll ensure your teams deliver exceptional customer service, meet business objectives, and operate efficiently and compliantly. Your role will be key in supporting our customers through every life stage—from their first job to their first holiday—and making our stores places they trust and enjoy.
- Leading a group of stores remotely, fostering a ‘one team’ culture with Store Leaders, Post Office Managers, and colleagues.
- Enhancing store performance by translating Retail Scorecards, Trading Plans, and strategic goals into focused, actionable plans.
- Coaching and developing team leaders to set and meet clear, measurable targets, while maintaining high engagement and accountability.
- Ensuring all stores in your cluster meet legal, health and safety, and regulatory compliance standards.
- Driving people development and succession planning in partnership with the Region, identifying talent and supporting long‑term career progression.
- Keeping teams informed on business performance and encouraging an ownership mindset through transparent and regular communication.
- Collaborating with Head Office and leveraging local insights to identify opportunities for growth and community involvement.
About you
We’re looking for a confident and experienced retail leader with the ability to manage and motivate multiple teams across different sites. You’ll be commercially minded, people‑focused, and driven by a passion for operational excellence and service delivery. As a Cluster Manager, your leadership will play a critical role in developing talent, achieving KPIs, and ensuring each store is a vibrant, customer‑centric hub on the high street.
- Experience as a Store Manager (or equivalent), ideally with exposure to multi‑site or area management.
- Proven ability to lead and inspire diverse teams to meet ambitious performance targets.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Solid understanding of the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment to development and performance management.
- A people‑first leadership style focused on building inclusive, high‑performing teams.
- Skilled communicator with the confidence to influence stakeholders across store teams and Head Office.
About us
Joining TGJones means becoming part of a company that values its people as its greatest asset. We are a team that supports growth, values ideas, and believes in delivering excellent service to our communities. Whether you’re looking to progress your career or take on a new challenge, you’ll find TGJones to be a place where your efforts are recognised, and your development is supported.
Company benefits for our store and post office colleagues include in‑store employee discounts, generous 3rd party discounts, an employee assistance programme, flexible shifts, company pension, and more.
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At TGJones, we’re committed to building an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. If you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cluster Manager in Ilford
✨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 TGJones, 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 TGJones!
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 TGJones, 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 TGJones 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 TGJones that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at TGJones
✨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!
