Store Manager - Central London

Argos is a unique retailer recognised for choice, value and convenience. It sells general merchandise and products for the home from over 670 stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. In the last financial year, this retailer's sales topped £3.8 billion. This year their goal is to become the number one choice retailer for general merchandise, and be a company that's famous for its fun atmosphere and superior customer care.

Argos is part of the Home Retail Group, one of the UK's pre-eminent retail groups. They serve over 130 million customers a year through its stores and takes four million customer orders either online or over the phone. On average, 17 million UK households, or around two thirds of the population, have Argos catalogue's at home at any time. Its internet site is the second most visited internet retail site in the UK.

Very much the public face of their business, there is an Argos store within 10 miles of 95% of the UK population. A fact they are extremely proud of, as it underlines their success of their customer-focused approach to retailing.

They've always been dedicated to providing their customers with the best range of goods at the most competitive prices. Not to mention the most convenient shopping experience. This has meant they have continually evolved to improve and widen the range of services they offer. From front of store concepts, like their quick-pay kiosks, to technological innovations, such as their 'click & collect' and 'text & take home' facilities that allow customers to easily reserve goods online or by mobile, they have never been ones to rest on their laurels.

But whatever they do, they realise that they can only be as good as their people. They're the real secret to Argos's success. The ones who deliver the outstanding customer service that makes Argos more than just another shop, and keep the customers coming back for more, time and time again.

THE ROLE

The role of a store manager is to provide leadership to the team with the aim of increasing sales at the same time as managing costs. Facilitating fast, friendly service through constantly looking for ways to improve the in-store customer experience. You'll be up against demanding targets for growth, sales, overheads and staff performance. But then you're the sort of person who thrives on surpassing them. You'll ensure store standards are maintained at the highest possible levels and sustain a robust team succession plan with regular development reviews.

Empowerment comes as standard. After all, you will be leading a management team of 4 running a high turnover business. But if you're the right sort of manager for Argos, you'll thrive on this sort of challenge. Which is why the attitude you bring is just as important as your experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Increasing the profit of the store through implementing effective Business Plan
• Maximise every opportunity to promote the Company goods and services
• Communicate all targets and results to store management team
• Implement store staff recruitment and training processes
• Actively manage the customer experience
• Review the overall performance and standard of the stockroom with the Stock Manager
• Review the weekly stock management file document with the Stock Manager
• Review store requirements and standards
• Monitor individual training needs with management team
• Build a network of key contacts both internally and externally
• Conduct counselling, investigatory, disciplinary and grievance interviews
• Take every opportunity to develop new skills and experience new situtations
• To ensure that at all times the store is safe and fully compliant with Health, Safety and Fire policy, procedures and retail legislative requirements

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• An individual who is capable of shaping the business and inspiring your colleagues
• Retail management experience with proven control of overheads and sales increase
• An inspirational leader who is customer-focused and commercially aware with a can-do attitude and passion for excellence
• An exceptional communicator who is able to think on their feet, plan strategically and knows how to get things done
• Specifically you bring knowledge of stock processes and the ability to work to tight deadlines
• Encourages personal development
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop a customer service focused environment
• Coaching and mentoring management style
• Excellent influencing and negotiating skills
• Gains commitments and maximises contributions from others
• Displays a visible and open leadership style
• Works with others in a way that recognises their value and the shared nature of goals
• Ability to maximise team effectiveness
• First class communication skills