At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver exceptional customer service and achieve sales goals.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a renowned brand with a rich heritage, thriving in diverse locations.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of holiday, up to 50% employee discounts, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture that values personal growth and community involvement.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Store Manager or similar role in a fast-paced retail environment is essential.
- Other info: We celebrate inclusivity and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our teams work hard to make customer and colleague journeys in life possible, we offer our amazing products to everyone on any of life’s journeys. We are particularly proud of the great partnerships we have with M&S. WHSmith has a remarkable heritage and we are growing particularly in our airports, hospitals, rail stations and motorway services.
As a Store Manager in our M&S Edinburgh Hospital store, you’ll lead and inspire your team to provide exceptional customer service, meet business objectives and create a working environment that helps our colleagues to develop and achieve. We want you, our customers and our colleagues to be proud they’re starting and sharing their journeys with us.
What being a Store Manager is all about:
- Driving a high performing team to achieve great sales results.
- Creating a culture of learning, support and recognition - spotting opportunities for development of personal skills, product knowledge and self-awareness, in an environment where everyone feels valued and welcome.
- Playing a key role to make sure your colleagues are supported, setting clear and measurable targets, which are reviewed regularly.
- Working with our Support Centre to share your knowledge of the local environment to maximise local opportunities and community involvement.
- Having a robust people and succession plan in place and working with the Region to support people development for all colleagues.
- Keeping teams up to date on store business performance and appropriately challenging what can be done to improve.
- Creating a sense of pride within the store to ensure both colleagues and customer facilities are of a good standard, and that we are operating safely and legally.
What our Store Leadership Team would love to see:
- Current Store Manager (or equivalent) in a fast-paced food retailer or similar environment.
- Someone who can energise, influence and motivate the team to deliver exceptional service and performance.
- Strong organisation skills and someone who is proactive and able to prioritise well, in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Experience of proactively leading from the front, getting stuck in and helping your team on the shop floor.
- Experience in managing the employee lifecycle from recruitment, onboarding and ongoing performance reviews.
- Proven people development experience, focused on fostering a supportive, productive, efficient and inclusive environment.
- Strong stakeholder management experience, someone who can influence and communicate with your team, peers, Support Centre colleagues and senior stakeholders.
How we reward our teams:
We know you’ll work hard to make WHSmith a success and keep our customers happy, so as well as your salary, pension scheme, holidays (Management - 33 days including bank holidays) and employee discounts (up to 50%), we’ll reward you with a range of deals from retail partners that will help you save money and make memories, whether a delicious meal, an adventurous day out, or tickets to see the latest blockbuster. Whatever the future brings, our Employee Assistance Programme will support you with help and guidance for your wellbeing whether physical, mental or financial. WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.
Main - Store Manager - Marks and Spencer employer: WHSmith
Contact Detail:
WHSmith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Main - Store Manager - Marks and Spencer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Marks and Spencer's values and customer service philosophy. Understanding their approach will help you align your leadership style with their expectations, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of M&S or WHSmith. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for a Store Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in fast-paced environments. Highlighting your ability to energise and motivate staff will demonstrate that you have the right experience for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the local Edinburgh market and community. Being knowledgeable about local opportunities and challenges will show your commitment to maximising the store's potential and engaging with the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Main - Store Manager - Marks and Spencer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in retail management, particularly in fast-paced environments. Emphasise your leadership skills and any achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive sales and develop teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for customer service and team development. Mention specific examples of how you've motivated teams and improved performance in previous roles, aligning your experiences with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills mentioned in the job description, such as stakeholder management, organisation, and proactive leadership. Use concrete examples to illustrate how you've successfully applied these skills in past positions.
Showcase Your Understanding of the Company: Demonstrate your knowledge of WHSmith and its partnership with M&S. Mention how you can contribute to their goals and values, particularly in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for both customers and colleagues.
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Store Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you've motivated your team in the past, particularly in fast-paced environments, and be ready to discuss your approach to fostering a supportive culture.
✨Understand the Business Objectives
Familiarise yourself with WHSmith's business goals and how they align with the role of a Store Manager. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to achieving these objectives and share any relevant experiences that showcase your understanding of sales performance.
✨Emphasise People Development
Highlight your experience in managing the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to performance reviews. Discuss specific strategies you've used to develop your team's skills and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Expect questions about how you communicate and influence various stakeholders, including your team and senior management. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated stakeholder relationships and how you can apply that to the role at WHSmith.