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Job Description: Retail Department Manager
As a department manager in the retail industry, you'll be responsible for managing a department or 'trading area' and its team.
Depending on the size and type of organisation, you'll be responsible for activities such as merchandising, stock availability, profit protection, sales, profitability, account analysis, forecasting and general day-to-day management of your department.
You'll look after customer service for your trading area. Recruitment, training and management are also among your duties, as is selling to the public and developing contacts with potential customers
You'll probably report to the General or Store Manager, and work closely with them, as well as other specialist managers such as Stock and Service Managers. You will also work closely with buyers and merchandisers on issues such as strategy.
Hours and Environment
Normally, you'll work 35 to 40 hours a week. This is likely to include weekends and possibly evenings, depending on your store's opening hours.
You will probably have an office base in the store, but will spend much of your time on the shop floor
Skills and Interests
To be a department manager, you'll need a range of skills:
- The ability to lead and motivate a team
- Excellent communication and 'people' skills
- A strong commitment to customer service
- The ability to work under pressure and handle challenging situations
- Confidence, drive and enthusiasm
- Decision-making ability and a sense of responsibility
- The ability to understand and analyse sales figures
- Sound business sense
- An understanding of retail laws, security and health and safety.
Entry
To become a retail department manager, you don't normally need specific qualifications although you will need to be competent in maths and IT. These are generally hands-on roles, and employers will often be looking for sound previous managerial experience. It's usual to be promoted to supervisor or department manager after you've gained experience as a sales assistant with the same company.
You could also join a large retail chain directly as a trainee manager, through a management training scheme. Most companies will ask you to be qualified to at least level 3 (for example, with A levels or an equivalent such as a BTEC National Diploma).
You may be able to get into the retail industry through an apprenticeship scheme. For more information, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
When looking for work, a foundation degree, BTEC HNC or degree in retail management, business or marketing can help. Visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service website to look for courses.
Training
When you're working for a chain, you may be offered in-house training. This could include the chance to gain work-based qualifications, such as NVQ Level 2 in Retail Skills, Level 3 in Retail and Level 4 in Sales.
Structured graduate management training schemes usually last between 18 months and two years. Note that larger organisations will offer a programme of ongoing training throughout your retail career.
In addition to this, you will be expected to develop your management skills on the job.
Opportunities
The retail sector employs around three million people, or 11% of the UK's workforce, with outlets across the length and breadth of the country. With experience, you can progress from department manager to store, area or regional manager if you're working for a chain. Alternatively, you could move to a manager's job in another trading area, or another company.
You'll find jobs advertised in both the local and national press, at Jobcentre Plus, on employers' own websites, in-store and on specialist recruitment websites.
Annual Income
This annual income section is intended as a guideline only.
- As a department manager, you can typically earn between £17,000 and £25,000, depending on your experience, the company and location.
- Progress to store manager and you can earn £40,000 a year or more.
You may also earn extra bonuses and commission for meeting sales targets.
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