Manager in Training - Larne Area

Main Purpose: To train & develop in a Winemark trainee management role with the aim of successfully integrating into the business as a full-time manager.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• To successfully partake in all areas of the MIT programme, both task & classroom-based training to ensure that all areas of the operation are understood & can be used to build a profitable off-licence operation.
• Customer Relations / Selling Skills: Promotes a professional and quality level of customer service to existing and new customers; assesses and satisfies customers' needs and queries/problems; identifies and maximises selling opportunities; ensures staff give the required level of customer service; actively achieves Company KPIs.
• Commercial and Business Acumen: Proactively seeks opportunities for increased business; awareness of competition; supports new directions and initiatives; creative presentation ability of company products.
• Leadership / Taking Responsibility: Accountable for the day-to-day running of the store and management of staff; ensures full adherence to company policy and procedures in all areas including customer relations, housekeeping, merchandising and display, security of premises, cash and stock, and administration; leads by example; uses authority when necessary.
• Legislation: Ensures the correct implementation of any legislation affecting the business (health and safety, licensing, trading standards).
• Organisation and Planning: Plans, prioritises and organises work to optimise the use of resources and meet deadlines; schedules events/tasks and delegates effectively to staff; plans and introduces contingencies as required.
• Maximises Resources: Operates store in accordance with agreed targets and budgets in relation to sales, stock loss, stock levels, man hours and operating costs.
• Quality Emphasis: Committed to setting and maintaining high store and personal standards, with excellent merchandising skills.
• Motivating Others: Encourages team effort, builds cohesion and maintains motivation.
• Staff Training and Development: Understands and delivers training and development needs of team members; gains willing cooperation; gives regular feedback to team; appraises performance; encourages open communication and is constructive when confronting individuals.
• Effective Administration: Accurately adheres to company administration systems regarding cash, stock, payroll and marketing; adopts a systematic and organised approach; checks standards of accuracy; follows written and verbal instructions to company standards and is accountable for all communication within the store.
• Problem Solving: Anticipates and identifies problems; uses analytical and investigative skills in problem solving and proposes solutions/evaluates alternatives; takes action to resolve problems in accordance with company needs.
• Any other duties relevant and related to the post.

Working Hours: 40+ hours (as required by the programme).

CRITERIA

• Experience:
  • ESSENTIAL: Minimum 1 year’s experience within a similar retail or customer service environment. A valid driving license plus access to a car.
  • DESIRABLE: Minimum 1 year previous supervisory or management experience in a retail or customer service environment; proven track record of stock management on a day-to-day basis; proven track record of staff training on a day-to-day basis; proven track record of driving sales and achieving targets.
• Qualifications:
  • ESSENTIAL: Good standard of education to include 5 GCSEs with English Language and Maths or equivalent (Grade C or above); minimum 1 year previous supervisory or management experience in a retail or customer service environment.
  • DESIRABLE: WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits; NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Retail / Customer Service or equivalent. This individual will have a general interest in product knowledge, wines and spirits. They must also be committed to successfully completing WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits.
• General Skills/Attributes:
  • ESSENTIAL: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively through oral and presentational skills as well as excellent writing skills. The candidate will be a strong communicator on many levels from dealing with customers on an operational level to successfully being able to communicate & build good working relationships with peers, senior managers & line staff.
  • Ability to motivate and encourage others to achieve targets and work towards common goals.
  • Excellent standard of dress and appearance.
  • Good team working skills and the ability to work effectively with staff at different levels of the organisation.
  • Customer and sales focused - maintains a professional level of customer service at all times; identifies accurately the needs of internal and external customers and works to exceed the customer’s expectations by delivering a high-quality service; possesses the ability to meet sales targets.
  • Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
  • A high degree of initiative, resourcefulness, flexibility and a self-motivating approach to achieve both business objectives and personal success in order to succeed as a future manager.
  • Demonstrate ability to increase productivity and continuously improve one’s methods, approaches and overall contribution. Takes personal responsibility for own development.

Other Relevant Information:

• Must be age 18 or over.
• Flexible approach to the needs of the business essential – must be able to work late nights, weekends & public holidays.
• A full shift on a Friday and Saturday, one of which must be to close of business.
• A minimum of 2 evenings per week, inclusive of a Friday or Saturday (and not including Sundays) to close of business.
• It is important that the candidate is mobile and it is therefore preferable that the candidate possesses a full, valid driving licence with regular access to a vehicle.
• You are not assigned to a particular store and you will be expected to be flexible in relation to movement to other stores, as per business needs.
• This is an ideal opportunity to progress in a retail environment and would best suit individuals with long-term career aspirations.

Training Process:

The successful applicants will commence a comprehensive training programme enabling them to successfully transfer into the role of Manager at the end of the training period. The training period is anticipated to last approximately 12 months and will depend on the candidate’s individual progression. The MIT will see the day-to-day running of a premises & work as a member of the management team. Initially, the MIT will shadow the manager with a view to working towards managing shifts on their own. As part of the ongoing programme, the MIT will be expected to work across various stores. Depending on candidate progression, the Company would expect at least two periods of management relief as a minimum.

Performance Reviews & Probationary Period:

During each stage of the MIT programme, it is vital that ongoing reviews occur to ensure that you are staying focused on the role of becoming a well-rounded retail manager within Winemark. Performance reviews will occur every 3 months throughout the 12-month programme during which time you are expected to take an involved role in your progression. An “MIT Appraisal Form” will be completed at each assessment. Assessments will be conducted by the Store Manager and/or RSM.

External Candidates & Internal Candidates within Probation:

A probationary period of 6 months is set to ensure that you are a good fit for the traineeship. Failure to fulfil the criteria expected could result in your release from the programme and ultimately the organisation, or relocation to another position within the Company which may include loss of seniority and/or pay.

Internal Candidates (post Company probation):

On the basis that your probationary period has been completed, you will be provided with the appropriate training and support on the MIT programme. However, if your performance is not deemed to be to the required standard, any performance issues will be addressed via a performance management route and through the Company disciplinary procedures. Failure to fulfil the criteria expected could result in your release from the programme and ultimately the organisation, or relocation to another position within the Company which may include loss of seniority and/or pay.

Any appointment to the post of Manager will be subject to the individual attaining WSET Level 3 within a specified time period. Internal promotions to the post of Manager will initially be made on a temporary basis if WSET Level 3 has not been obtained during the programme. On attainment of Level 3, the Manager post will be confirmed as permanent. If the individual fails to achieve Level 3, the individual will revert to their previous position prior to the MIT programme but this may not necessarily be within the same premises where previously located, although relocation would be within a reasonable distance. If the individual was an external applicant, the Company will review the option of a relocation to another position within the Company which may include loss of seniority and/or pay, or ultimately release from the organisation. In relation to the appointment to the post of Manager, and if the MIT has already attained WSET Level 3 Award, they will automatically be offered a permanent manager post.

With 84 stores across Northern Ireland and over 500 staff we are conveniently located in major locations across the province. Our friendly local wine experts are endowed with a wealth of wine knowledge certified by Wine and Spirits Education Trust. WSET is an awarding body and registered charity devoted to the development and delivery of qualifications and courses in wines and spirits. The winning combination of knowledge and a passion for people allows our staff to deliver excellent customer service.