Profile of a Retail Manager

Employers are looking for a particular set of skills before they hand over the keys to someone else to run their store. Retail managers have to do it all: work with customers, manage sales associates, hit monthly store quotas and pitch in whenever something needs to be done. That’s why employers in the retail industry often look for a blend of diverse, transferable skills on a resume that are indicative of a versatile, well-rounded candidate who has a good understanding of the industry and is able to adapt as needed.

Customer Focus

Customer service is critical for everyone in retail. Retail is all about making sure the customer has an excellent experience every time, so this skill should be at the top of your list.

People Leadership

As a retail manager, you will be supervising a team that may include inexperienced employees earning modest wages for a tough job. You will need a track record of your leadership capabilities, and you must be able to provide examples of how you motivate people.

Be able to assess other people’s strengths and identify areas of opportunities are key. Depending on how the store or chain is managed, you may be asked to provide one-on-one management and written action plans for store teams. You will also have to create a team environment to get everyone working together.

You may also be responsible for employees’ training and development, and you will need a background in recruiting or networking in the retail market to help fill positions. You will need to be able to handle delicate situations with fairness and patience, follow corporate guidelines and hold every employee to high standards.

Sales Experience

Most retail employees are responsible for sales. Sales skills are essential for the majority of retail applicants, whether you're going for an associate position or a management position.

Have examples ready that show you understand how to turn a browser into a buyer, and how to maximize sales by upselling customers with add-ons to their purchases.

Sales Leadership

Your own sales experience may not be enough. Not only do you need to motivate people to work, you must motivate people to sell.

A background in sales leadership is vital for retail managers. You may be asked to train sales associates and then improve their sales numbers over time.

Resilience

Retail is constantly changing. Retail managers need to be flexible and mentally tough to deal with day-to-day variations. While the uncertainty of the industry can be exciting, it can also lead to burnout if you do not have the chops to handle the difficulties.

Organisation

Retail is a fast-moving and dynamic industry, and it takes a lot to stay on top of everything that is going on. Successful retail managers are organized, good planners and strong trouble-shooters. Being able to multitask helps as well.

Communication

You will need to draw on your communication skills to work with employees, customers and management. You will be directing store meetings and will need to confront a variety of internal and customer-facing situations, both positive and negative. Being able to communicate effectively will serve you well through it all.