At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop multiple retail stores, driving performance and customer experience.
- Company: Join Wynnstay Group, a values-led organisation with a strong focus on people and performance.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company vehicle, generous leave, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive culture with over 900 colleagues nationwide.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail while developing your leadership skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multi-site retail and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Wynnstay Group is seeking a commercially focused and people-driven Area Retail Manager to lead the performance, operations, and development of a group of stores within a designated region. This role offers the opportunity to operate your area as your own business unit, taking ownership of commercial performance, operational standards, customer experience, compliance, and people development. You will work closely with Store Managers to drive profitable growth, maintain exceptional standards, and create a high-performing culture across your region. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced multi-site leader who thrives on accountability, enjoys developing future talent, and has the commercial acumen to identify opportunities, solve challenges, and deliver sustainable results. Acting as the link between strategy and operational execution, you will play a key role in shaping the future success of Wynnstay's retail network.
Responsibilities:
- Take ownership of sales, margin, profitability, and growth performance across your assigned stores.
- Drive effective stock management, waste reduction, and working capital control to protect profitability.
- Analyse trading performance, customer trends, and operational data to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
- Ensure Store Managers across the area are fully accountable for delivering the agreed commercial and operational KPIs.
- Lead, coach, and develop Store Managers and their teams, driving performance, succession planning, and future leadership capability across the region.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and ownership.
- Ensure consistent implementation of operational standards, retail processes, and company procedures across all stores.
- Drive operational efficiency, productivity, and cost control throughout the region.
- Identify and implement innovative ways of working, technologies, and operational improvements that enhance business performance and customer experience.
- Champion a customer-first culture and ensure teams deliver exceptional service at every opportunity.
- Monitor customer feedback and implement actions that improve satisfaction and loyalty.
- Ensure all stores operate in line with company policies, legal obligations, health & safety requirements, and regulatory standards, promoting a strong culture of compliance and safe working practices.
- Support audits, investigations, and corrective action plans where required.
- Work closely with commercial, operations, procurement, People & Culture, marketing, and support functions to deliver business objectives.
- Act as a key communication link between stores and senior leadership teams.
- Lead and support change initiatives across the region.
- Promote high standards of operational discipline, hygiene, and store presentation.
- Travel regularly across the store network to support and develop teams.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven leadership experience within a multi-site retail, trade, agricultural, or operational environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to drive sales, profitability, and operational performance.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams across multiple locations.
- Demonstrable experience managing KPIs, budgets, stock, margins, and business performance.
- Strong decision-making skills with the confidence to operate independently and take ownership.
- Excellent communication, coaching, and influencing skills.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to drive decisions.
- Experience leading change, managing performance, and implementing operational improvements.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Company vehicle
- Employee Assistance Programme with BUPA
- Company profit related pay scheme
- Life Assurance x2 Salary
- 25 days’ annual leave plus UK bank holidays
- Employee discount at Wynnstay Stores
- Opportunity to join a supportive, values-led organisation with a turnover of £613 million and over 900 colleagues nationwide.
Area Retail Manager - Southwest in Cambridge employer: Wynnstay Group PLC
Wynnstay Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and values-led work culture, offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including a company vehicle and employee discounts. As an Area Retail Manager, you will have the autonomy to drive your own business unit while benefiting from extensive opportunities for personal and professional growth within a thriving organisation that prioritises accountability, collaboration, and customer satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Retail Manager - Southwest in Cambridge
✨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 Wynnstay Group PLC, 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 Wynnstay Group PLC!
We think you need these skills to ace Area Retail Manager - Southwest in Cambridge
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 Wynnstay Group PLC, 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 Wynnstay Group PLC 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 Wynnstay Group PLC that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wynnstay Group PLC
✨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!
