Trainee Retail Manager Job
This role offers the opportunity to develop and progress in a retail management career. As a trainee retail manager, you will be responsible for learning and developing skills to successfully manage a retail store.
Job Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will partake in all areas of the training program, including both task-based and classroom training. This will enable them to understand and apply all aspects of the business to build a profitable off-license operation.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Customer Relations / Selling Skills: Promote professional customer service to existing and new customers; assess and satisfy customer needs and queries/problems; identify and maximize selling opportunities; ensure staff provide excellent customer service; actively achieve company KPIs.
Commercial and Business Acumen: Proactively seek opportunities for increased business; aware of competition; support new directions and initiatives; creatively present company products.
Leadership / Taking Responsibility: Accountable for the day-to-day running of the store and management of staff; ensure 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; lead by example; use authority when necessary.
Legislation: Ensure correct implementation of any legislation affecting the business (health and safety, licensing, trading standards).
Organisation and Planning: Plan, prioritize, and organize work to optimize resource use and meet deadlines; schedule events/tasks and delegate effectively to staff; plan and introduce contingencies as required.
M Maximizing Resources: Operate the 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: Encourage team effort, build cohesion, and maintain motivation.
Staff Training and Development: Understand and deliver training and development needs of team members; gain willing cooperation; give regular feedback to team; appraise performance; encourage open communication and address individuals constructively.
Effective Administration: Accurately adhere to company administration systems regarding cash, stock, payroll, and marketing; adopt a systematic and organized approach; check standards of accuracy; follow written and verbal instructions to company standards and take responsibility for all communication within the store.
Problem Solving: Anticipate and identify problems; use analytical and investigative skills in problem-solving and propose solutions/evaluate alternatives; take action to resolve problems in accordance with company needs.
Avoid other duties not relevant or related to the post.
Criteria:
a) 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.
b) Qualifications:
Essential: Good standard of education to include 5 GCSEs with English Language and Maths or equivalent (Grade C or above)
OR 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.
c) General Skills/Attributes:
Essential: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively through oral and presentational skills as well as excellent writing skills;
Strong communicator on many levels from dealing with customers on an operational level to successfully being able to communicate and build good working relationships with peers, senior managers, and 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 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.
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, and 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 essential that the candidate is mobile and it is preferable that the candidate possesses a full, valid driving license 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 and 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 fulfill 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.
Manager Post:
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.