Store Manager Designate - London

As a Store Manager Designate, you will receive a three-month induction working alongside our successful managers in our top stores. This program provides you with a true insight into what it will be like to manage your own WHSmith store. During this period you will learn:

• The role of a Store Manager within WHSmith and how this fits with the company strategy
• Understand how to analyse store performance using your profit & loss and KPIs
• Operational policies & procedures
• Performance and leadership skills

After your training, it is intended that you will take responsibility for your own store so please note you will need to be flexible to travel within 30miles/1 hour from your training store.
The Accountabilities

• 
  Fully accountable for your profit & loss statement, keeping costs to a minimum
• Create a customer service led culture which is always striving to improve performance
• Ensure all staff deliver a professional, friendly service to all customers
• Manage employee lifecycle from recruitment to appraisals, training and the disciplinary process
• Adopt a hands on approach on the shop floor during peak trading hours
• Manage stock availability and ensure store is fully compliant
• Maintain a strong relationship with the outlet landlords, working closely with them to resolve any problems that arise (Travel or HS retail park only)
• Remotely manage more than one WHSmith unit where required, ensuring a good leadership team is in place to manage periods when you are not in store

The Requirements

• Proven retail experience in a management role
• Previous experience of working to and achieving demanding targets within tight budgets
• Working knowledge of managing store profit & loss accounts
• Proven experience of managing a team’s performance
• Ability to lead by example on the shop floor, setting high standards for your team

• You will have excellent communication skills
• A positive attitude and a can do approach
• A pro-active individual who is used to fast paced, busy environments
• Educated to A-Level standard or relevant industry experience

Develop and Progress with Us As an employee of WHSmith you will have the unique opportunity to undertake ‘work based learning’ training programmes which will enable you to gain a Nationally Recognised Qualification. WHSmith work in partnership with Lifetime to develop the knowledge and skills needed to move your career forward within our stores.
Why Join us?
WHSmith is a household name as we have been established for over 200 years. Our company has grown from strength to strength and we now have over 615 high street stores and over 750 travel outlets at airports, train stations, hospitals and motorway service areas across the UK plus an online store; www.whsmith.co.uk.
Year on year we announce a strong set of financial results and have shown good profit performance across the Group in a challenging trading environment. In return for all your hard work and commitment you will receive comprehensive training and on-going support from your Area Manager. In addition to this, our excellent benefits package includes; 25 days holiday, generous staff discount* and annual performance related bonus*.
It all adds up to excellent career opportunities and the chance make a real impact on the Company's success. If successful, candidates will be required to obtain a valid passport, undertake a criminal record check and provide 5 years of continuous educational, professional or employment references. Due to the high number of applications we receive, it is with regret that we are unable to respond to all applications and therefore will only contact short listed candidates.

• 
  after initial qualifying period.

“WHSmith values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the Community”

Format of Business

Workplace

Full Time / Part Time

Full Time

Position Type

Permanent

Salary From

28,000

Salary To

35,000

Hours / Week

39

Country

UK

County

Greater London

Job Code / Grade

Store Manager

Post Code

s638et