Operational Duties

To ensure the health and safety of all staff, customers, and other visitors to the store (such as suppliers and contractors), completing store risk assessments and checks in line with KUTL’s Health and Safety Policy

To manage, provide leadership and coaching to retails staff in safe working practices and to ensure machinery and equipment is fit for use, and that maintenance is carried out where required.

Ensuring legal documentation and tasks are completed to the required timescales, such as legal diaries, food hygiene logs, correct pricing and cleaning.

To coach staff in performing routines as per the designated process (Coop), ensuring the achievement of store accountable KPIs, including, but not limited to, Availability and IRTC (Intelligent Reduce to Clear)

Overseeing the delivery of excellent operational and brand standards, ensuring great service, and that the store is clean, merchandised to plan, with current and relevant marketing POS.

Support in protecting the store from stock losses by monitoring customer activity to reduce theft, investigating stock issues and reporting incidents.

Manage the daily handover process between managers, highlighting priorities and issues and focussing on key next steps.

Regularly review brand standards audits to ensure issues are resolved, and that the store is maintaining Coop standards at all times.

Carry out other duties and activities as reasonably required, in order to support colleagues in achieving KUTL and Kent Union’s plans.

People Responsibilities

To provide leadership, direction, coaching and mentoring for direct reports and to set an example of being results focused and aiming to achieve excellence.

To monitor the performance of staff members and give them regular and constructive feedback

Ensuring great performance/conduct is rewarded, and to coach those who deliver poor performance/conduct. In the case of persistent or serious performance/conduct issues, implementing further performance management processes, such as disciplinary procedures.

To undertake performance reviews of direct reports in line with KUTL policy

To support in the process of recruiting new student staff

To identify training needs within the department, and ensure new training initiatives are implemented in a timely fashion to all staff

Financial Responsibilities

Support the Store Manager to maximise profit in the Retail department, through increased sales, controlling costs and monitoring daily product availability and wastage.

To be responsible for the security of all resources including stock and cash, and to follow Kent Union’s financial procedures.

Responsible for achieving financial budgets, relating to sales, wastage, shrinkage, and margin.

To manage the store’s labour cost effectively, ensuring we have the right people in the right place at the right time.

To ensure stock counts are completed to required timescales, and that practices and routines pertaining to minimising theft are in place while trading the shop floor

Expected Behaviours

To attend training sessions and meetings, and complete training as required by KUTL/Kent Union and Coop

To contribute to the positive image of Kent Union with students, the University of Kent, and the local community

To lead by example and demonstrate a full understanding of the organisation’s democratic structures.

To encourage and promote the highest standards of ethical and environmental behaviour, ensuring that the Retail department minimises its environmental impact wherever possible.

To act as an ambassador for Kent Union and show loyalty to the organisation, abiding by the Union’s constitution, policies, and procedures at all times.

To undertake other tasks and responsibilities compatible with the level and nature of this post, as required by the Store Manager, Retail Group Manager, and Director of Commercial Services

Person Specification

Essential requirements should be demonstrated before appointment and maintained in post. Desirable elements should be developed and maintained once in post as needed.

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

Tested at Interview

Tested at application

Generalist management qualification (eg certificate or diploma in Management Studies

X

X

First Aid Certificate

X

X

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Tested at Interview

Tested at application

Experience of managing a team of people and motivating them to provide the highest standards of customer service

X

X

X

Experience of working in a busy, customer focused environment and managing competing priorities

X

X

X

Experience of managing retail operations and identifying customer needs and identifying new trends and opportunities

X

X

X

Experience of stock management and can demonstrate a clear understanding of how this can contribute to the financial sustainability of the organisation

X

X

X

Health and Safety management qualification (e.g IOSH Certificate in Managing Safety, Food Hygiene

X

X

X

Knowledge

Essential

Desirable

Tested at Interview

Tested at application

A good knowledge of cost control and maximizing profitability in order to contribute to the financial sustainability of the organisation

X

X

X

A good knowledge of stock management systems and ability to maximize availability whilst minimising loss and stockholding

X

X

X

A good knowledge of health and safety legislation and best practice in the management of health and safety

X

X

X

A sound knowledge of licensing legislation and how to operate retail premises legally and responsibly

X

X

X

A good knowledge of the student movement and how the retail department contributes to Kent Union’s charitable purpose

X

X

X

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Desirable

Tested at Interview

Tested at application

Ability to lead, coach and empower teams to deliver an outstanding shopping experience for our customers

X

X

X

Sound judgement and ability to handle competing priorities and a challenging workload in a pressurised environment

X

X

X

Skilled and committed user of IT, enabling efficiencies and improved service through the use of technology

X

X

X

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, in a positive way choosing the most appropriate method of communication for the audience

X

X

X

An effective and highly capable individual who is punctual, friendly and has a positive attitude, takes pride in their own work and that of the team

X

X

X

Values & Behaviours

Essential

Desirable

Tested at Interview

Tested at application

Evidence of commitment to continuing personal and professional development

X

X

A firm commitment to equality of opportunity; an individual who values diversity, shows respect for all people and works well with people who have different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds

X

X

A team player who helps others to build a successful team, celebrates others’ successes and supports others to achieve individual and team goals

X

X

A responsible individual who is committed to Kent Union’s values, will take steps to reduce the organisation’s impact upon the environment and support efforts to give something back to society. A strong commitment to working in a democratic and membership led organisation, with the ability to empower and build constructive relationships with elected officers

X

X