Retail Store Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Retail Store Manager, or Shop Manager, is responsible for facilitating and supervising daily operations at a store to make sure that employees work together effectively to make sales and contribute to shop upkeep. Their duties include communicating with vendors about inventory orders, scheduling employee shifts and training new employees.

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Retail Store Manager duties and responsibilities

A Retail Store Manager is responsible for managing a retail store, which includes overseeing sales, staff and inventory. Retail Store Managers have the following duties and responsibilities: 

  • Supervise, train and assist employees like Sales Representatives and Retail Store Clerks in customer service, store maintenance and product promotions.
  • Develop and maintain a schedule for employees and promotions centered on holiday sales and other cycles.
  • Seek ways to better promote the store, the product line and service within the store.
  • Maintain proper inventory levels, ensure stocking, implement purchasing plans and maintain contact with suppliers to ensure maximum efficiency in meeting sales goals.
  • Implement cross-training of employees and Assistant Managers to maintain productivity at all times.
  • Manage all controllable costs with a view to maintaining profitability.
  • Ensure the store remains clean and presentable at all times.
  • Hire and train as needed to ensure adequate personnel is on hand to provide outstanding customer service.

Retail Store Manager Job Description Examples

 

Example 1

*Store Manager for our Ocean City location – Must be available to start immediately* * Minimum 5 years’ experience in management of soft goods multi branded store * Competitive pay plus benefits include: * Recruit, hire and train associates * Open and close daily * Enforce all company policies * Execute standard operating procedures * Lead a team and delegate tasks * Meet sales expectations * Handle customer service issues * Maintain stock replenishment * Put out merchandise as it is delivered 3 to 5 times a week Job Type: Full-time Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Employee discount * Health insurance Schedule: * 10 hour shift * Weekend availability Education: * Bachelor's (Preferred) Experience: * Fashion retail management: 3 years (Required) Work Location: One location

Example 2

Lacrosse Unlimited is committed to becoming the most recognized name in lacrosse through unparalleled customer service and relentless pursuit of innovative products. We are driven by our desire to provide unique knowledgeable personal experience that every lacrosse enthusiast deserves and only Lacrosse Unlimited can provide. Lacrosse Unlimited, Inc. is the largest retail chain of Lacrosse equipment and apparel in the nation. Job Description Position Summary: The Store Manager is the primary key holder and has complete responsibility for all store functions and results, including but not limited to staffing, sales and revenue generation, expense control, employee and management recruitment and development, training, performance management, selling and product knowledge skills, customer engagement, satisfaction and loyalty, store operations and expense control as well as store merchandising, standards, and providing an exciting, fun, enjoyable and safe work environment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Actively drive store sales, variable revenue streams, store operational excellence, expense control and all store operational aspects such as banking and banking accuracy, shipment processing, back room organization, store cleanliness, and all other operational needs and procedures are adhered to and accomplished on a timely basis. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $33,596.00 - $45,000.00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Employee discount * Flexible schedule * Health insurance * Paid time off * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift Supplemental Pay: * Bonus pay * Commission pay Experience: * Customer service: 1 year (Preferred) * lacrosse: 2 years (Required) Work Location: One location

Example 3

As a Mobilelink Retail Store Manager, you will set the example for your team while striving to achieve all financial goals on a daily basis. This opportunity gives you the chance to lead and inspire a high-energy sales team to provide consistently outstanding customer service, resulting in positive brand loyalty. Your focus will be on enthusiastic personal leadership on the sales floor and in the community while guiding and coaching your sales team to do the same. Our Retail Store Managers Key Responsibilities: · Achieve all sales and profit goals · Direct responsibility of all store operations · Adhere to store budgets · Recruit, hire, coach, and develop retail staff · Conduct employee meetings in addition to weekly/monthly employee reviews · Proactively analyze business needs, identify opportunities, and create/execute improvement plans · Promote positive customer experience through modeling great customer service and handling escalations promptly · Demonstrate solid technical competence for all products and services sold · Engage in and lead community activities inside and outside of the store to support business goals · Attend and participate in local meetings and sales events Required Qualifications · Two (2) years proven retail sales management experience (interactive sales process, commissioned sales) · Two (2) years of recruiting, hiring, and developing successful store sales teams · Available evenings, weekends, and holidays · Must be able to pass background checks Job Type: Full-time Ability to * Theodore, AL: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) Experience: * Retail Sales/Customer Service: 2 years (Preferred) * Retail Management: 2 years (Preferred) Work Location: One location

What does a Retail Store Manager do?

Retail Store Managers work on site at a shop to oversee employee activities and handle the administrative and managerial duties of running a store. They make sure that their location is stocked with the correct amount of merchandise and adjust the store layout to display in-demand items. Retail Store Managers develop strategies to meet sales targets and plan promotions to attract business.

Retail Store Managers evaluate their employees and mentor them to improve their retail skills, addressing issues with staff and planning professional development opportunities and company policies for employee behavior. Another role of the Retail Store Manager is to provide customer service and interact with customers who have an issue or need high-level support with a purchase or return.

Retail Store Manager skills and qualifications

Given the vast responsibilities of a Retail Store Manager, several skills and qualifications are required to be effective in this role, including:

  • Proactive in-store planning skills
  • Self-motivated leadership
  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Strong sales abilities
  • Customer service skills
  • Organization skills
  • Ability to operate basic business software programs

Retail Store Manager salary expectations

A Retail Store Manager makes an average of $43,911 per year. Salary may vary depending on the Retail Store Manager’s level of experience and the geographic location of the store. 

Retail Store Manager education and training requirements

The education and training required of a Retail Store Manager includes a university or college education such as a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or related field. Candidates holding a master’s degree in business administration or similar is a plus, as is a current Retail Management Certificate. If alcohol, tobacco or hot food is sold at the store, certain state certifications are also among the requirements for a Retail Store Manager. 

Retail Store Manager experience requirements

Experience requirements for a Retail Store Manager will generally include several years in retail, either as an Assistant Manager or Sales Clerk. The ideal candidate will have a combination of experience including supervision, sales, customer service, security and general office or accounting work. 

Job description samples for similar positions

If you’re looking for candidates for similar roles to the Retail Store Manager position, see our job description templates for similar roles: 

Frequently asked questions about Retail Store Managers

 

What is the difference between a Retail Store Manager and an Assistant Manager?

Retail Store Managers work with Assistant Managers to help manage business tasks during all opening hours. Retail Store Managers train Assistant Managers to respond to customer issues when they are not actively on-site. Retail Store Managers can delegate responsibility to Assistant Managers, but they retain the power to make strategic decisions and manage the budget. Assistant Managers spend more time on the floor while Retail Store Managers may work in an attached office handling business details.

Assistant Managers help Retail Store Managers with tasks like opening and closing the store, creating schedules, placing purchase orders, dropping cash in the safe and counting inventory from new shipments. They also perform Store Associate tasks alongside their team, like checking out customers.

 

What are the daily duties of a Retail Store Manager?

Retail Store Managers can set their own hours based on busy times in the store where their employees will need the most support. They check in with Sales Associates and Cashiers about any issues then respond to communications about inventory, equipment or new hires. If a problem arises, the Retail Store Manager talks to the consumer about their concern and processes returns or explains store policies and provides possible solutions to the issue. 

They host interviews, manage paperwork for new hires and develop training plans and policies. At the end of a shift, the Retail Store Manager runs sales reports and records information about income and inventory levels. They host meetings and communicate with their team about goals and strategies to implement during their shifts.

 

What are the characteristics of a Retail Store Manager?

Retail Store Managers need to have excellent business sense, including a practical mindset, good math skills and an understanding of both logistics and human resources. Good Retail Store Managers are also creative so they can come up with ways to respond to market trends and generate business with limited resources. One of the most important characteristics of a successful Retail Store Manager is the ability to actually solve problems, balancing excellent customer service with the company’s bottom line. They should be fair to their employees and use their leadership skills to motivate their team, reward success and encourage growth.

 

Who does a Retail Store Manager report to?

Retail Store Managers can report directly to a store owner if they work for an independent retail outlet, or they can report to a Regional Manager or District Manager if they manage a store for a chain. They communicate about the impact of store policies, create long-term plans for store growth and discuss strategies for improving sales and achieving other store goals. Retail Store Managers work to align employee behaviors at their outlet with the overall goals of the organization or owner.

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