At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire our retail team across three unique shops.
- Company: Join The Newt, a vibrant brand passionate about food and design.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and fantastic benefits await you.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic retail environment while fostering a positive team culture.
- Qualifications: Proven retail leadership experience and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking a dynamic and motivated retail professional to lead The Newt’s 3 shops - The Farm Shop, The Home and Garden Shop and The Creamery Shop. As Head of Retail, you will be responsible for the seamless end-to-end operation of our stores, overseeing customer service, sales, visual merchandising, and day-to-day operations. A natural leader, you’ll foster a positive, driven environment for our team and inspire them to achieve their goals. You should have a genuine passion for food, homeware, clothing, and design, and consistently represent The Newt brand with pride. Reporting into the CEO-Commerce, this role is based on-site across our retail stores and is supported by Store Managers, Supervisors, and a Visual Merchandiser.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive sales performance across all three retail locations, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded.
- Lead by example on the shop floor, delivering exceptional customer service and creating memorable experiences.
- Ensure stores are consistently well-stocked through close collaboration with the Merchandising team.
- Partner with the Visual Merchandising team to maintain high visual standards, promote seasonal ranges, and optimise layouts and point-of-sale displays.
- Inspire and motivate the retail team, fostering a positive, professional, and customer-focused environment.
- Deliver ongoing training in product knowledge, systems, sales techniques, and company policies to support team development.
- Support seamless collaboration between front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
- Oversee all retail operational procedures, including scheduling, appraisals, recruitment, and appearance standards.
- Manage stock rotation, stock counts, waste reduction, sampling processes, and till discrepancies.
- Proactively handle customer complaints, focusing on improving service and operational efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP, Food Safety, and Health.
Head of Retail in Somerset employer: The Newt in Somerset
The Newt is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As the Head of Retail, you will enjoy competitive compensation, performance bonuses, and a supportive environment where your passion for retail can flourish. With a focus on teamwork and customer experience, you'll lead a dedicated team in a picturesque location, making every day rewarding and meaningful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail in Somerset
✨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 The Newt in Somerset, 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 The Newt in Somerset!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail in Somerset
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 The Newt in Somerset, 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 The Newt in Somerset 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 The Newt in Somerset that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Newt in Somerset
✨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!
