Retail Excellence Program Manager

Retail Excellence Program Manager

Full-Time 60750 - 74250 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Watchfinder

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and design retail excellence initiatives to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
  • Company: Join Watchfinder, a dynamic company transforming the retail landscape.
  • Benefits: Enjoy personal and professional development opportunities in a supportive community.
  • Other info: Be part of a collaborative team driving change and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact from day one in a fast-growing international company.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in project management; retail experience is a bonus.

The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.

Overview

The Retail Excellence Program Manager is responsible for designing, leading, and embedding Watchfinder's Retail Excellence framework across the business.

Acting as a strategic program lead, this role will drive the development and execution of key retail initiatives that enhance operational excellence, elevate the customer experience, and support the company's commercial objectives.

Responsibilities

  • Design a structure and governance for a Retail Program management, applying adequate program management components and best practices such as governance, meeting cadences, stakeholder map and project pipeline.
  • Develop a comprehensive Retail Excellence initiatives pipeline aligned with Watchfinder’s commercial objectives and driven by the identification of key areas for improvement in retail operations, customer experience, and project management.
  • Manage the Retail Program, its project pipeline, prioritisation, escalations and risk & progress reporting in appropriate forums – e. g. steering committee.
  • Lead and manage projects related to Retail, such as new store openings, store renovations, new process or technology implementations, and oversee the successful delivery of projects, ensuring alignment with business priorities and expected outcomes.
  • Partner cross-functionally with HR to define and design the boutique organization and compensation.
  • Partner cross-functionally with the commercial performance manager, the merchandiser and the data team to deliver retail and merchandising performance dashboard, and support the Director of commercial operations and CCO for any other project requests.
  • Champion a customer‑centric approach, focusing on creating and elevating an end‑to‑end customer journey integrating all Watchfinder customer transaction journeys (part‑exchange, instant purchasing, omnichannel, etc.).
  • Explore the implementation of methodologies to measure and improve overall customer satisfaction – specifically in retail.
  • Partner with L&D and retail to develop training programs and their delivery approach for retail staff on operational procedures, product knowledge, sales techniques, and customer service excellence.
  • Partner with other functions and markets to ensure adequate implementation of new guidelines and framework (Sales operations, visual merchandising, marketing).

Qualifications

  • Minimum 3 years of experience in project management or operations consulting.
  • Experience in retail industry is a plus.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills in a matrix environment.
  • Knowledge of Project Management methodology.
  • Ability to plan and prioritise multiple activities and juggle activities effectively.
  • Exceptional time management and organisational skills.
  • Proactive mindset.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to interact at all levels of seniority.
  • Problem solver: can provide solutions when problems arise and seek to understand the root cause of the problem to implement long‑term solutions.
  • Strong Power Point and Excel skills.

Benefits

As a significant member of the Watchfinder community, you will be part of a big family at Richemont.

We strongly believe in internal development, mobility and offering various opportunities to enhance both your personal and professional development.

You will have the opportunity for your voice to be heard, drive change, and make a real impact from day one.

This is a fast‑growing company, going through an exciting period of change from a UK‑centric business to an international company, giving you the opportunity to gain experience and further opportunities in the future.

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Retail Excellence Program Manager employer: Watchfinder

Watchfinder is an exceptional employer located in West Malling, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from a competitive package and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for finance professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in their field.

Watchfinder

Contact Details:

Watchfinder Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Retail Excellence Program Manager

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 Watchfinder, 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 Watchfinder!

We think you need these skills to ace Retail Excellence Program Manager

Project Management
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Customer-Centric Approach
Operational Excellence
Data Analysis
Time Management

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

How to prepare for a job interview at Watchfinder

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!