General Manager

Dobbies Garden Centres; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a General Manager to enhance customer experience and drive sales across their stores. This role is pivotal in overseeing operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and fostering a positive workplace culture. With a focus on teamwork and continuous improvement, the ideal candidate will have a proven track record in retail management and a passion for delivering exceptional customer service. Enjoy generous benefits, including flexible holiday planning and substantial store discounts, while being part of a vibrant community dedicated to gardening and customer satisfaction.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Uncapped store discounts

Financial wellbeing support

Confidential support services

Development opportunities

Diverse workplace culture

Qualifications

• Proven record of leading multiple teams and driving retail sales.
• Ability to identify training needs and coach team members effectively.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of store management to meet commercial targets.
• Lead in creating a positive workplace environment and inspire the team.

Skills

Retail management experience

Commercial awareness

Excellent communication skills

Adaptability

Teamwork

Coaching skills

Job description

Our General Managers play an essential role in delivering customer experience across our stores by driving sales, promoting customer loyalty, maintaining high operational standards, and achieving commercial targets.

Responsibilities

1. Take full ownership of store management, ensuring everything is in place to meet commercial targets through responsive management of budgets and cost controls.
2. Oversee the complete business operation, maximize profitable sales and growth, and create a customer-focused environment.
3. Lead in creating a positive workplace environment daily while planning ahead to ensure your team has a development journey with Dobbies.
4. Inspire your team to deliver the best customer experience by designing a memorable customer journey.
5. Monitor service levels, identify improvement opportunities, and coach team members effectively to enhance performance.
6. Collaborate closely with central support teams, maintaining excellent communication, stock supply, and prompt responses.
7. Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations, prioritizing employee and customer welfare at all times.

Who We Are Looking For

1. Retail management experience with a proven record of leading multiple teams and direct reports.
2. Strong commercial awareness, including understanding budgets, profitability, and driving retail sales.
3. Ability to identify training needs and coach all levels to ensure delivery of a first-class customer experience.
4. Excellent communication skills to share initiatives and monitor performance effectively.
5. Adaptability to respond quickly and enthusiastically to changing priorities and workloads.
6. Positive attitude towards managing change, leading teams through seasons with care and motivation.
7. Demonstration of our core values: teamwork, continuous improvement, positivity, and a passion for gardens.

What We Offer

1. Generous annual leave entitlement with flexible holiday planning.
2. Uncapped store discounts, including 50% off in restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre, and 10% off in food halls.
3. Access to Wagestream for financial wellbeing support, including early earnings access, savings, and financial advice.
4. Support through Retail Trust, including confidential support, virtual GP, free counseling, and retail rewards.
5. Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy, our eLearning platform and training programs.
6. A thriving, passionate, and diverse culture committed to customer satisfaction.

About Us

Founded in 1865 by James Dobbie, Dobbies is the only garden centre retailer with stores in every UK nation. We celebrate gardening and plant life through our products, concessions, and services, promoting garden living all year round.

Many stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, creating a welcoming environment for customers. We host events and community experiences and support a national charity, fostering community engagement.

We are dedicated to being a great place to work, encouraging colleagues to be their best, share successes, and work together to serve our customers effectively.