- 1,702retail management jobs live right now, from supervisor to store manager
- 27retailers hiring managers
- £31,056–£69,000typical top salary in store manager adverts that show pay
- 12 of 21employers we sampled mention a bonus on top
What Does a Store Manager Do?
A store manager is responsible for the whole shop: its team, its customers and its results. We read 56 adverts from 21 employers hiring store or branch managers on our site. These are the parts of the job they mentioned most.
- Leading the teamLeading, motivating and inspiring everyone in the store. Mentioned by 20 of the 21 employers.
- Sales and targetsDriving sales and hitting the store's targets and KPIs. Mentioned by 19 of the 21.
- Coaching and developing peopleTraining your team and helping them grow. Mentioned by 14 of the 21.
- Profit and costsRunning the store's budget, payroll and profit and loss. Mentioned by 10 of the 21.
- Stock and availabilityKeeping the right stock on the shelves and controlling loss. Mentioned by 10 of the 21.
- Safety and complianceKeeping the store safe and legal, from health and safety to audits. Mentioned by 10 of the 21.
Hiring is part of it too. 7 of the 21 employers say the store manager recruits their own team.
One optical retailer's flagship store manager leads a team of around 25, supported by two assistant store managers.
Do You Need Experience?
Yes, of leading people. Most store manager adverts ask for experience of leading a team in a fast-paced, customer-facing business. One asks for at least 18 months in a similar role. A few want experience as a store manager already.
Not always in their sector. An optical retailer says optical experience isn't essential. A coffee chain says no coffee experience is needed, because it trains you in store and at one of its academies.
Designate roles are a way in. Five employers advertise store manager designate jobs. You train in one store or cover several, then take on a store of your own.
What Employers Look For
How many of the 21 employers mention each quality in their adverts:
"People issues" means managing performance and employee relations. Two large grocers ask for experience of employee relations cases, and one of them mentions dismissals.
What Does a Store Manager Earn?
£31,056–£69,000a year
That's the spread of typical top salaries across the 10 employers whose store manager adverts show pay. The middle of that spread is £35,550.
- Discount supermarkets pay the most. Two advertise up to £66,000 and £69,000.
- Bonuses are common. 12 of the 21 employers mention a bonus. One says its store managers can earn up to £10,000, depending on the store. Another offers up to 15% a year, plus up to £300 a month.
- A car can come with it. One employer offers a company car or car allowance, and another an £8,000 car allowance. One role covering several stores needs a full driving licence and your own vehicle.
Other benefits mentioned most often: a staff discount (17 of the 21), a pension (15) and wellbeing support (12).
Hours
- Mostly full-time. Contracts in the adverts we read run from 32 to 45 hours a week. One employer offers 40 or 45 hours.
- Part-time is possible. One trade and DIY chain welcomes part-time branch managers working at least 30 hours over four or five days.
- Expect some evenings and weekends. Managers work a rota, which one employer says includes weekends, evenings and sometimes late nights.
How People Get There
Store managers on our site usually come up through the store. The steps in the jobs we advertise:
- Retail Assistant: the starting point. Read our Retail Assistant guide.
- Supervisor or Team Leader: running a shift or a section.
- Duty Manager or Team Manager: managing the store on your shift.
- Assistant or Deputy Store Manager: second in charge. Read our Assistant Store Manager guide.
- Store Manager: responsible for the whole store.
Beyond the store, adverts mention moving to a bigger or flagship store, becoming an area manager, or moving into a support office role.
Job Titles to Search For
- Store Manager
- Branch Manager
- Store Manager Designate
- Deputy Store Manager
- Assistant Store Manager
- Area Manager
How to Apply
- Show your results. Adverts ask for a track record, so have examples of sales, targets and teams you've improved.
- Look at designate roles. If you're a deputy or assistant manager ready for the next step, they train you for a store of your own.
- Upload your CV. Employers can then find you as well as the other way round.
- Prepare for the interview. Read our 20 common interview questions. Some employers also hold an in-store assessment.
Ready for the next step?
There are 1,702 retail management jobs live right now.
