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Job description: Retail Night Manager
As a night manager working for a large retail chain, for example in food or fuel retailing, you'll be responsible for an entire outlet between the hours of, say, 10pm and 7am. You'll also have a team to manage, possibly a large one including assistant managers.
Be aware that the night activity has a huge impact on the performance of the store in the day as well, so responsibility is great.
Your duties will frequently be hands-on, and will include: supervising deliveries to get stock in-store safely, making sure your store hits targets, maintaining and improving standards of service, acting as a responsible neighbour within the community, ensuring all areas of the store run smoothly, delivering ongoing training, coaching and development of staff, acting as the main contact for customers, ensuring all queries are dealt with quickly and efficiently, taking charge of everything from restocking shelves and managing stock movements, organising the warehouse.
You'll be working alongside retail staff, perhaps including specialist managers such as groceries.
Hours and Environment
Typically, you would work between 9.30pm and 7.30am, 5 days a week. This may well include weekends.
You will probably have an office base in the store, but will spend much of your time on the shop floor.
Skills and Interests
You'll need a range of skills, notably:
- The flexibility to cope with night work and anti-social hours
- 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
Generally, for this role employers will expect a sound track record in retail management, plus qualities such as enthusiasm and passion.
You don't normally need specific qualifications although you will need to be competent in maths and IT. It's usual to be promoted to supervisor or manager after you've gained experience as a sales assistant with the same company. However, you may be at an advantage if you have management experience from another industry.
When looking for work, a foundation degree, BTEC HNC or degree in retail management, business or marketing can help. Many retail degrees are 'sandwich courses', which include a year's work placement to give you hands-on experience. 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 good news. 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. The trend of 24/7 shopping also means more opportunities for night work.
With experience, you can progress to area or regional manager if you work for a retail chain.
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.
- Starting salaries are usually between £14,000 and £20,000 a year.
- With experience, typical earnings can rise to between £21,000 and £28,000.
- Senior managers earn £40,000 a year or more.
You may also earn extra bonuses and commission for meeting sales targets.
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