Soundbyte

What you’ll do:
As Team Leader you’ll be responsible for driving sales, inspiring the teams and making sure every customer has a brilliant experience. That isn’t always easy in locations such as hospitals, so you’ll need to thrive on pressure. A role model for the team, you’ll show junior team members how it’s done. Tenacity, drive and good people management will go a very long way. With all this to think about, we make sure that there’s plenty of support available.


What’s in it for you
Taking on lots of responsibility, we’ll trust you to get things done and to use your initiative. If you’ve got a good idea, come out and tell us. We welcome fresh thinking – it could earn you new opportunities. Along with an open, idea-friendly culture, we offer excellent training. One way we do this is through our Retail Academy, which helps Team Leaders learn and progress. We’ll also reward you with some fantastic flexible benefits, including a discount of up to 50% in our High Street stores and access to a range of discounts with other retailers. Plus, flexible working, childcare vouchers, a pension and much more.

Who we’re looking for
For this kind of role, you need some retail or hospitality experience and to understand how to manage and motivate a team. Ideally, you’ve worked in a business that’s just as fast-moving as ours. With this background, you’ll know how to give great customer service, and your enthusiasm will inspire your team. You’ll take pride in sharing your knowledge and seeing staff excel. Ready to step up when the Store Manager’s not around, you’ll be determined, good with people and driven to meet targets.


About us
You may know we operate on the high street, in rail and bus stations, airports, hospitals, universities and workplaces. But you may be surprised to learn we’ve been around since 1792 and have over 14,000 employees across the globe. We’re continually growing by putting our customers at the heart of all we do and we grow our people too

Job Description

The Opportunity

Are you an influential leader looking to play a key role in your stores success?

We are looking for outstanding individuals used to working to challenging business objectives and managing store budgets to join our team. You will have previous experience of managing performance, from appraisals through to disciplinaries. 

The Accountabilities

• Deputise for Store Manager in their absence
• Create a customer service led culture which is always striving to improve performance
• Ensure all staff deliver a professional, friendly service to all customers
• Ensure store is fully compliant with pricing, promotions, legislation and landlord agreements
• Work closely with the Store Manager to identify cost saving measures and sales opportunities through analysis of the profit &loss statement
• Drive the team to achieve both individual and store targets including sales, shrink, waste, cash loss and staff costs
• Work with the management team to maximise opportunities to drive sales and increase footfall
• Support the Store Manager with employee lifecycle from recruitment to appraisals, training and disciplinary procedures
• Play an active role on the shop floor with the sales team
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the outlet landlords, working closely with them to resolve any problems that may arise

The Requirements

• Proven retail experience in a management role
• Working knowledge of profit & loss accounts
• Previous experience of working to and achieving demanding targets within tight budgets
• Experience in supporting delivery of store objectives, including maximising sales and controlling shrink
• Coach and mentor the team to improve performance
• Leading by example on the shop floor, setting high standards for your team

Develop and Progress with Us

As an employee of WHSmith you will have the unique opportunity to undertake ‘work based learning’ training programmes which will enable you to gain a Nationally Recognised Qualification. WHSmith work in partnership with Lifetime to develop the knowledge and skills needed to move your career forward within our stores.

Why Join us?

WHSmith is a household name as we have been established for over 200 years. Our company has grown from strength to strength and we now have over 550 high street stores and over 400 travel outlets at airports, train stations, hospitals and motorway service areas across the UK plus an online store; www.whsmith.co.uk .

Year on year we announce a strong set of financial results and have shown good profit performance across the Group in a challenging trading environment. In return for all your hard work and commitment you will receive comprehensive training and on-going support from your Area Manager. In addition to this, our excellent benefits package includes; 25 days holiday, generous staff discount* and annual performance related bonus*. 

It all adds up to excellent career opportunities and the chance make a real impact on the Company's success. If successful, candidates will be required to obtain a valid passport, undertake a criminal record check and provide 5 years of continuous educational, professional or employment references. Due to the high number of applications we receive, it is with regret that we are unable to respond to all applications and therefore will only contact short listed candidates.
 *after initial qualifying period.
 
“WHSmith values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the Community”