Retail Management Graduate Programme

Decathlon UK Ltd; Wednesbury; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Play your favourite sport regulary

Up to 28 days holiday

Healthy employee discount on all Deca…

24/7 Mental, physical, and financial…

Gym, food, and travel discounts

Intensive training and development opp

… and many more

Job summary

Decathlon UK Ltd offers a Graduate Trainee program designed to immerse you in the heart of store operations and our sport-centric culture. You’ll start as a Decathlon Sport Advisor and develop through practical training and hands-on leadership experiences.

From month 4 you’ll step into Duty Manager and later Department Management, supported by comprehensive training, mentorship, and real commercial responsibilities, with generous holiday and employee discounts.

Qualifications

• Have a genuine passion for sports and a desire to share that passion with others.
• Be able to communicate effectively and build relationships with a diverse group of teammates
• Thrive in a dynamic and high-paced team environment
• Play with a team and have the willingness to learn and adapt
• Adapt or have a proactive and can-do attitude
• Demonstrate leadership skills

Responsibilities

• Learn Decathlon values, culture, and store fundamentals during initial training.
• Engage with customers on the shop floor to deliver customer excellence.
• Gain exposure to deliveries, stock management and layout optimisation.
• Progress to Duty Manager and begin department management responsibilities.
• Develop commercial acumen by learning P&L management and sales drivers.

Skills

Passion for sports

Communication skills

Team player

Leadership

Adaptability

Job description

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International. Sport enthusiasts. Collaborative team members. Stronger together through our driving force to move people through the wonders of sport.

At Decathlon UK and Ireland, we offer Careers That Let You Play. As part of the DECATHLON Group, one of the world's largest sports retailers headquartered in France, we specialise in creating sport products and distributing them through online and physical stores across 56 countries with over 1,700 locations. With over 45+ stores in the UK, our mission is to be the spirited cheerleaders of sports and healthier living in the nation!

Program Structure

As a Decathlon Graduate Trainee, you'll be at the heart of our dynamic team, bringing energy, and enthusiasm, and igniting a love for sports through every customer interaction.

You’ll really make a difference every step of the way, influencing your team, your customers, and where the future of sport is heading. Get ready for a challenging, super fast-paced experience with a steep learning curve—this programme is designed for people who are always looking to grow.

From Month 1 to 3: Mastering the foundations

Upon crossing the starting line, you will begin as a Decathlon Sport Advisor to learn about Decathlon through a deeper lens and understand the fundamentals of the Company such as our values, culture, and overall strategy.

You’ll master:Our Culture:You will learn our company values and purpose, followed by a comprehensive introduction to your store.Customer Excellence:Engaging with our community on the shop floor.Operational Standards:Deliveries, stock management, and layout optimisation.

At Decathlon, we believe that the greatest leaders are doers and so the mastery of the fundamentals will be integral in your success within the project!

From Month 4: Stepping into Management.

Once you’ve mastered the shop floor’s rhythm, you’ll step up asDuty Managerwhile beginning your introduction toDepartment Management. Here, your focus expands from your specific department to the entire store ecosystem.

As Duty Manager, you are the "Captain of the Shift," responsible for:Safety & Security:Ensuring a safe environment for every teammate and customer; acting as the first point of call for emergencies.The Customer Pulse:Managing store flow and ensuring our signature "Gilet Behavior" is consistent from entrance to checkout.Live Decision-Making:Making the "game-time" calls—shifting resources in real-time to keep the store performing at its peak.You will also begin your transition into Department Management by learning:Talent & Culture:How to recruit, onboard, and motivate your own team.Commercial Dynamism:An introduction to P&L management, economic analysis, and sales drivers.From month 6: Your journey to becoming a Department Manager

Now that you’ve mastered the playground, you’ll begin your transition into Department Management. This stage is where you move from supporting a team to owning a business perimeter.Your responsibilities include:

Commercial Dynamism:Managing your P&L, analysing economic performance, and driving sales growth.Strategic Planning:Crafting long-term missions for your department and mappingHuman Capital:recruiting developing your teammates into the leaders of tomorrow.Layout Mastery:Optimising your sales floor to create an immersive, high-performance shopping experience.

From teammate to business driver—this is where your leadership comes to life. You’ll learn to balance human management with commercial results.

The highlights of the programmeComprehensive Training:Receive in-depth training on our products, brand philosophy, and customer-centric approach.Mentorship:Benefit from guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals who are passionate about sport and retail.Networking Opportunities:Connect with local and international industry experts and fellow sports enthusiasts at workshops, events, and conferences.Career Development:Gain valuable skills and experience that will open doors for future opportunities within our company and beyond.The player we’re looking for:

At Decathlon, we all play to win and your development is no game to us. To succeed in this program, we will need you to:

Havea genuine passion for sports and a desire to share that passion with others.

Be able to communicate effectively and build relationships with a diverse group of teammates

Thrive in a dynamic and high-paced team environment

Play with a team and have the willingness to learn and adapt

Adapt or have a proactive and can-do attitude

Demonstrate leadership skills

Highly Desirable Qualifications:While we welcome applications from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, candidates with the following attributes will find themselves particularly well-prepared for this role:Recognition Beyond Academics: Demonstrated achievements or awards that showcase dedication, talent, or excellence outside formal educational requirements.Active Participation in School or Sports Societies: Involvement in school, community, or sports organisations, showing a proactive and team-oriented approach.Retail, Customer Service or Hospitality Experience: Prior part-time work in customer-facing roles (such as hospitality or retail), which contributes to strong interpersonal and service-oriented skills in high-pressure environments.Relevant Internship or Work Placement: Hands-on experience through internships or work placements in corporate, nonprofit, or other professional environments that align with their area of study.Leadership Experience: Leadership or captaincy roles in school organisations, sports teams, or community groups, reflecting an ability to motivate, guide, and inspire others.Perks waiting for you:

Play your favourite sport regulary. This is a passion-meets-profession opportunity!

Up to 28 days holiday with the option to carry over a maximum of five days each year

Healthy employee discount on all Decathlon products

24/7 Mental, physical, and financial wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme

Gym, food, and travel discounts

Intensive training and development opportunities

… and many more

Decathlon is committed to inclusion and non-discrimination, and thus acts on a daily basis in favor of disability, a multi-generational workforce, social diversity, and equality between women and men. If, due to a disability, you require any special accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know. At Decathlon, first and foremost, we are recruiting personality and character.