Retail Manager

Job description

Working in Retail is at the front line of raising the funds we need to deliver our cause, whilst delivering an exceptional service for our visitors. As well having an array of stunning product ranges, we partner with local craft artisans to support the sales of unique, local products which really capture the spirit of our special places. Directly interacting with all our customers that visit our shops, our retail teams are in a key position to inform our customers what amazing work we are doing as an organisation and where the money that is spent in our shops is being invested – whether this be investments in local projects or on funding our national strategy.

‘This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months..’

Iconic places deserve iconic products. And, recently redefined, our approach to retail and product offering has never looked better. We have plenty in store for your career too.

Here at Knole we have two shops, one retail shop selling gifts and one bookshop.

Click here to find out more about what it’s like to work in our retail teams at the National Trust

With your love of leading people and ambition to deliver beyond expectation, your role will be to set stretching targets and lead your team to deliver a unique retail experience. Through supervising and motivating staff and volunteers, you’ll manage the day to day operation and ensure the retail team are engaged to exceed customer service expectations, and are proud to talk about the amazing work the National Trust are carrying out with the money that is invested back into our property.

As well as being the leader of the retail outlet, you’ll work with all teams across your property to ensure the shop is an integral part of the visitor experience. Harnessing ideas from your team and customer feedback, you’ll identify new opportunities to drive income, you’ll make sure the merchandise reflects the properties unique spirit of place, and that your products will deliver stretching financial targets. You’ll know that delivering a fantastic retail experience is paramount to our ability to invest in conservation priorities, and you’ll coach and develop the retail team to drive sales, champion our cause and maximise our profits.

Please also read the full role profile, attached to the end of this advert.

As the Retail Manager, you’ll have experience leading people and have been responsible for a retail operation previously. You’ll love being a positive role model and are naturally able to inspire people to deliver exceptional customer service, to exceed targets and understand how this funds our cause. So, you’ll be;

• Inspiring and great with people

• Enjoy working with and supervising a team and unafraid to give direction and feedback

• Target/ Sales driven

• Customer aware and take pride on delivering excellent customer service

• Able to bring to life new idea’s

And you’ll need to demonstrate the following experience on your CV/application;

• Experience managing a retail operation with knowledge of retail best practice (including selling, merchandising, space management, stock control, risk)

• Customer service / sales focused

• Experience coaching, developing and supervising teams – rotas, managing absence, giving feedback

• Working towards delivering targets – customer satisfaction / financial

• Awareness of Health and Safety requirements

• Confident with using IT, retail management systems and Social Media for marketing

Benefits for working at the National Trust:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Discounts in high street stores, cinemas, National Trust properties and cafes.

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Generous annual leave

• Subsidised health cash plan

• Free 24-hour support service

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

• Training & Development tailored to you

• Up to 5 days of paid volunteering for you.

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.