Deputy Store Manager / Simply Foods Store Manager - Carlisle

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M&S is changing, and it’s changing fast! As part of our transformation to deliver "Stores of the Future" we are looking for innovative and resilient Leaders.

We have an exciting management opportunity here at M&S in the Carlisle Area. The successful candidate will complete 12 weeks training in one of our top Academy stores, before being placed in a Deputy Store Manager position in one of our full line stores, or a Simply Food Store Manager position in the Carlisle Area!

As a Deputy Store Manager, we want you to help us transform our business on a record scale, by showing everyone how crafting the perfect customer experience can change M&S for good. You’ll demonstrate strong drive and vision, have a real commercial instinct with a business transformation mentality and a passion for high performance in everything you do is key. We are looking for accomplished Retail Superstars with experience in clothing & home retail who are proven leaders.

Setting first class standards and driving continuous improvement are crucial attributes to exploit every commercial opportunity and drive sales. With a passion for delivering excellent standards at all times combined with continuously driving growth & profitability of the store or Food section through successful implementation of the M&S retail plan.

• To drive a selling culture within your team.
• To lead your team to deliver excellent customer service and hit store targets.
• Deliver an inspirational, improved, and consistent visual customer journey instore which inspires our customers to shop and buy more often.
• To utilise and exploit data & Management Information to support with operational decisions.
• To implement a continuous improvement mentality.
• Build relationships with key partners across your Region and beyond to maximise all growth opportunities, execute fantastic events and drive conversion.
• To continuously seeking opportunities to develop future talent through performance tools and development programmes.
  

About You

• A superb knowledge of Retail.
• A proven leadership track record and the ability to lead effectively through ambiguity.
• Tech savvy - an understanding of systems and have the ability to exploit them.
• Comfortable having difficult conversations and able to get effective resolutions with both colleagues and line managers.
• Able to juggle a number of priorities whilst still maintaining an excellent standard and working with pace.
• A desire to push boundaries and collaboratively make a difference.
• Demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness to change and the ability to lead teams through change with a growth mentality.
  

Purpose

• Deliver improved performance across all areas, driving KPI performance and delivering operational efficiency for their area of accountability
• Support the Store Manager in the delivery of the Retail Plan and Store P&L across the wider store as one team
• Duty Manage the Store in the absence of the Store Manager when required
• Deliver all line management and associated people activity of the Team Managers and Team Support Managers for their area of accountability
• Support the store to trade safely and legally, protecting Customers, Colleagues and the M&S brand
• Support the Store Manager to deliver an inspirational, improved and consistent visual customer journey instore which inspires our customers to shop and buy more often
  

Key Accountabilities

• To drive profitability and sales for their area of store through the delivery of the Retail Plan
• To deliver and embed the business transformation plan and change initiatives within their area of accountability
• Create the right culture, role modelling new digital ways of working and leadership behaviours
• Deliver great standards and service by setting clear expectations with direct reports and ensuring that they are clear with the part they play
• Responsible for ensuring the Team Managers are building the digital capability of their teams to sell through all channels
• Proactively seek customer feedback and drive action to deliver improvement across the store
• Uses data and insight to improve customer instore experience, improve the operation and drive performance
• Support the delivery of Plan A
• Regularly review individual performance of the Team Managers through quality conversations, managing underperformance where required and celebrating success
• Ensuring all line management and people activities are delivered in accordance with company process and policy
• Build an active working partnership with BIG, provide feedback and support the development of BIG reps
• Deliver operational excellence to maximise product availability, minimise stock and cash loss
• Maintain a safe and legal store environment
• Oversees all elements of VM delivery across all launches, events and campaigns
  

Key Leadership Capabilities

• Successfully embeds change for lasting commercial impact and results
• Addresses beliefs and mindsets around resistance to change and supports colleagues in adapting
• Takes ownership and accountability for the success of their team
• Spends time coaching colleagues to accelerate performance and personal growth
• Recognises high performance and supports poor performers to improve
• Shows colleagues why they matter to M&S, their part to play in delivering the plan and what the results of their work are
• Uses customer feedback and market trends to guide teams work
• Helps teams understand information and business messages by actively seeking out opinions and asking questions
• Uses a combination of channels and technology to communicate, ensuring timely, clear and open communication with colleagues
• Seeks the best solution for M&S by proactively collaborating with colleagues from across the business
  

Technical Skills/ Experience

• Proven ability to lead a high performing management team to deliver excellent customer service and KPI’s across the store
• Has a substantial understanding and up to date knowledge of commercial, visual, operational and people processes and systems
• Uses all available data and MI (internal and external) to identify commercial, visual, cost savings & customer opportunities to increase profit
• Current working knowledge of all VM principles
• Good level of digital capability and a comprehensive understanding of systems and ability to exploit them
• Strong knowledge of the legal requirements and accountabilities across the store
• Knowledge of our people policies and of driving and managing performance within a team
• The ability to have difficult conversations with effective resolutions with both colleagues and line managers
• Great communicator and active listener who will inspire, share their knowledge and best practices with others
• Proven ability to plan and review across weekly, monthly and quarterly timeframes
• Proven ability to consistently deliver under pressure demonstrating high levels of resilience
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across all levels of the business
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to change, and the ability to lead teams through change with a growth mindset
  

Key Relationships and Stakeholders

• Customers
• Colleagues
• Store Leadership
• Wider Store Managers
• Support Centre
• Regional Leadership
• BIG
  

What’s in it for you?

• A great work / life balance - working only 1 full weekend in 2.
• 20% Colleague discount on most things from furniture, fashion and of course food.
• First class welcome to M&S with a tailored 12-week induction in your training store.
• Options to progress – it’s something we’re proud of at M&S.
• Holiday Entitlement 5.8 weeks (29 days) – which increases with service.
• Charity Volunteer Day – a paid day away from work to support your chosen charity* Charity Volunteer Day – A paid day away from work to support your chosen charity *
• Perks and Discounts via the M&S Choices website (these are great and there are lots!)
• Annual bonus
  

About the application process:

You’ll initially complete a short online application form and then be invited to take part in an on-demand video interview. If successful, you’ll then complete a short behavioural skills assessment before being invited to an in-person interview.