How to Become a Duty Manager

• 1,702retail management jobs live right now, from supervisor to store manager
• 27retailers hiring managers
• £14.47–£15.95typical top hourly rate in duty and shift manager adverts that show pay
• 6 of 7retailers we sampled ask for experience of leading a team

What Does a Duty Manager Do?

The title changes from shop to shop: duty manager, shift manager, shift leader or team manager. The job is to run the store, or part of it, while you're on shift. We read 19 adverts from 7 retailers hiring for the role on our site. These are the parts of the job they mentioned most.

• Leading the shiftOrganising the team so the work gets done and customers are looked after. Mentioned by all 7 retailers.
• Stock and availabilityKeeping the store full, fresh and ready for customers. Mentioned by all 7.
• Coaching the teamGiving feedback and training colleagues on the shop floor. Mentioned by 5 of the 7.
• Safety and complianceKeeping the store safe and legal for customers and colleagues. Mentioned by 5 of the 7.
• Cash and securityFollowing cash handling and security processes. Mentioned by 3 of the 7.
• Running the storeTaking charge of the whole store when more senior managers aren't there. Mentioned by 3 of the 7.

Do You Need Experience?

Usually, yes. 6 of the 7 retailers ask for experience of leading a team. Several name the jobs they have in mind: team leader, supervisor or manager. The seventh says supervisory experience is ideal but not essential.

One retailer needs you to be 18 or over for its shift leader job.

What Does a Duty Manager Earn?

• London can pay more. One supermarket pays its shift leaders £15.59 an hour, rising to £16.86 in stores inside the M25.
• Extra for nights and bank holidays. One discount supermarket adds £3.50 an hour for night shifts and £2.00 an hour on bank holidays.
• Some pay a supplement. One supermarket recruits its duty managers as retail assistants and pays £2 an hour extra for the time they manage a shift.
• Some pay a salary. One retailer advertises £28,400 a year for a shift manager. Its lead nightshift managers earn £36,250 plus the £4,500 night premium.

Hours and Shifts

• Shifts cover the whole trading day. One retailer's shifts run between 5am and 11pm. Another lists availability from 5:30am to 11:15pm, seven days a week.
• Nights are common. One retailer's night shifts run between 9pm and 7am. Another's nightshift managers work full-time hours over four nights, typically 10pm to 8am.
• Part-time is possible. One supermarket guarantees at least 16 hours a week, with roles from 12 hours, and gives three weeks' notice of shifts.

Where It Can Lead

Duty manager sits between supervisor and assistant store manager. The ladder on our site:

1. Supervisor or Team Leader: running a shift or a section. Read our Supervisor guide.
2. Duty Manager or Shift Manager: managing the store on your shift.
3. Assistant or Deputy Store Manager: second in charge. Read our Assistant Store Manager guide.
4. Store Manager: responsible for the whole store. Read our Store Manager guide.

Job Titles to Search For

• Duty Manager
• Shift Manager
• Shift Leader
• Team Manager
• Deputy Manager

How to Apply

1. Search every title. The same job is advertised as duty manager, shift manager, shift leader and team manager.
2. Show what you've run. Have examples of shifts you've led, problems you've solved and colleagues you've coached.
3. Upload your CV. Employers can then find you as well as the other way round.
4. Prepare for the interview. Read our 20 common interview questions before the day.