Store Manager - Cirencester

We are the people of Sahara. We are unconstrained. Our adventurous spirit leads us beyond the High Street to destinations lesser known. For clothes that mean more. That add to the story of our lives. We are unique. Try and pin us down, it doesn’t work. Label us and it won’t stick. We believe that demographics divide, age is just a state of mind and body type is what each one of us sees in the mirror. We are leaders. Visionaries in our own right. Creative, passionate - and only ever underestimated once.

Sahara is a family-run business that creates collections for the free-spirited, independent woman. We are now seeking a dynamic and proactive Store Manager. The successful candidate will have worked in the fashion or design industry or in a similarly creative business in a retail division.

Core responsibilities:

People

• Provide inspirational leadership to Sahara’s team of Sales Advisors
• Lead by example with all company policies, from timekeeping to dress code
• Update the store team on all things Sahara; from business performance to product and season launches
• Manage all staff processes including recruitment, development and training, performance and disciplinary

Sales

• Improve the commercial performance of the store by increasing its turnover and maximising profitability; managing stock levels and making key decisions regarding stock control
• Drive sales and forecast future sales volumes; analysing and interpreting trends to facilitate planning
• Use IT systems to record sales figures for data analysis and forecasting
• Overall responsibility for sales and reporting/analysing any distinct changes in sales performance
• Improve the commercial performance of the store by increasing its turnover and maximising profitability procedures

The Customer

• Role-model exemplary, personal customer service at all times
• Respond appropriately and timely to in-store customer enquiries
• Promote Sahara by organising special promotions, displays and events in conjunction with Head Office
• Ensure first class store standards are maintained at all times
• Awareness of market trends in the retail industry, understanding forthcoming customer initiatives, and monitoring what local competitors are doing

Operational

• Implement and maintain all operational standards including, but not exhausted to: staffing rotas, stock takes, visual merchandising
• Highlight changes to improve the business e.g. managing store expenditure to reduce costs; review opening hours to ensure the store can compete effectively in the local market
• Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the store in accordance with overall Company policy
• Ensure store takes balance, maintain overall responsibility for banking and petty cash expenditure

Essential skills/knowledge

• Previous retail management experience
• First class people and customer service skills
• The ability to relate to the product and understand the Sahara customer profile
• Strong organisational skills
• Positive outlook and a sense of humour

Desirable skills/knowledge

• Womenswear retail background
• Knowledge of Epos till systems
• Working knowledge of Excel and MS packages.

We offer:

• competitive salary
• generous holiday allowance
• generous Staff Discount
• monthly sales commission (when targets reached)