Branch Manager Trainee

McCarthy Recruitment; Fareham; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

McCarthy Recruitment is seeking an ambitious retail/hospitality customer-facing leader to join as a Management Trainee, with a clear pathway to Branch Manager. You will gain hands-on experience across branch operations while developing the commercial, operational and leadership skills needed to progress.

No sector experience is required; training and coaching will support your development, with increasing responsibility as you grow into a management role.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a small customer-facing team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ambition to build a long-term management career.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Learning all aspects of running a successful branch operation.
• Supporting and leading a small customer-facing team.
• Managing day-to-day branch activity and customer service delivery.
• Handling bookings, customer requirements, administration and operational coordination.
• Monitoring availability, workflow, standards and turnaround times.
• Delivering exceptional face-to-face customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• Building strong customer relationships and identifying opportunities to generate new business.
• Driving sales performance and promoting additional products and services.
• Developing an understanding of branch performance, profitability and commercial decision-making.
• Maintaining high standards of presentation, compliance, process and health & safety.
• Taking on increasing levels of responsibility as part of your management development journey.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

People management

Communication

Ambition

Driving licence

Job description

Are you an ambitious retail, hospitality or customer-facing team leader ready to take the next step in your management career?

This is an exciting opportunity for a driven and hands-on individual to join a fast-paced operational business as a Management Trainee, with a clear pathway to progress into a future Branch Manager role.

If you are currently working as a Team Manager, Trading Manager, Shift Manager, Department Manager, Duty Manager, Assistant Manager or similar, particularly within supermarket retail, food retail, hospitality, leisure or another high-volume customer-facing environment, this could be the perfect opportunity to build a long-term management career.

You do not need previous experience in this sector. What matters most is your ability to lead people, deliver great customer service, work at pace and take ownership in a busy operational environment.

This is not a classroom-based graduate scheme. You will gain real hands-on experience across all areas of branch management, learning how to run a successful customer-facing operation while developing the commercial, operational and leadership skills needed to progress.

You will be supported through structured training, coaching and ongoing development, while taking on increasing responsibility as your confidence and capability grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Learning all aspects of running a successful branch operation
• Supporting and leading a small customer-facing team
• Managing day-to-day branch activity and customer service delivery
• Handling bookings, customer requirements, administration and operational coordination
• Monitoring availability, workflow, standards and turnaround times
• Delivering exceptional face-to-face customer service in a fast-paced environment
• Building strong customer relationships and identifying opportunities to generate new business
• Driving sales performance and promoting additional products and services
• Developing an understanding of branch performance, profitability and commercial decision-making
• Maintaining high standards of presentation, compliance, process and health & safety
• Taking on increasing levels of responsibility as part of your management development journey

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in a fast-paced, customer-facing leadership role
• Backgrounds in supermarket retail, food retail, hospitality, leisure or similar environments would be highly relevant
• You may currently be a Team Manager, Trading Manager, Shift Manager, Department Manager, Assistant Manager, Duty Manager or experienced Supervisor ready to step up
• Ambition to build a long-term career in management
• A positive, energetic and proactive approach
• Confidence leading, motivating and supporting a team
• Strong communication and relationship-building skillsA sales-focused and results-driven mindset
• Ability to work at pace while managing multiple priorities
• Strong attention to detail and a practical problem-solving approach
• Confidence interacting with customers and colleagues at all levels
• Full UK Driving Licence

Training and Development

• Structured onboarding programme
• Full training provided — no previous experience in this sector required
• Shadowing and learning from experienced managers
• Commercial awareness and operational management training
• Leadership and people management development
• Regular performance reviews, coaching and feedback
• Step-by-step increase in responsibility and autonomy
• Clear progression pathway towards a future leadership role

The Ideal Candidate Will Be

• Highly hands-on and visible, leading from the front
• Commercially minded with a strong sense of ownership
• Customer-focused and committed to delivering excellent service
• Confident working in a busy, fast-moving environment
• Positive, resilient and keen to learn
• Motivated by progression, responsibility and long-term career development
• Able to bring transferable leadership experience from retail, hospitality or another customer-led environment

If you are an ambitious Team Manager, Trading Manager, Shift Manager, Department Manager, Assistant Manager or experienced customer-facing leader looking for more responsibility, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. By applying for this role, you are explicitly consenting for McCarthy Recruitment to hold and process your data in compliance with GDPR.