Deputy Store Manager

ZARA; Pune District; On-site; INR 600,000 - 840,000; Full time

Job summary

ZARA in Pune is seeking a Deputy Store Manager to support the Store Manager in driving all aspects of store performance, including people, commercial results and customer experience.

The role involves monitoring sales, organizing teams, and collaborating with product, operations and HR teams to achieve targets while upholding company standards and fashion-forward presentation.

Qualifications

• Strong fashion knowledge and merchandising skills.
• More than two years of management experience in fashion retail.
• Experience with MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Support Store Manager in overseeing store performance across people, commercial results, operations and customer experience.
• Monitor sales performance and help the team achieve targets.
• Help manage labour relations and develop employees.
• Prepare rotas and support KPI achievement and productivity.
• Improve store processes and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Work with regional teams across multiple functions to implement plans.

Skills

People management

Leadership

Communication skills

Data analysis

Time management

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Deputy Store Manager is a point of reference for employees and supports the Store Manager in overseeing all aspects of store performance, including people, commercial results, operations and customer experience. The role monitors sales performance and helps the team achieve the company's targets.

Key responsibilities

Product and commercial performance

• Monitor sales budgets across the store's three sections and organise the team to achieve them.
• Control sales performance and ensure products are displayed correctly in line with the commercial strategies of each department.
• Propose improvements to the store's design and facilities, including furniture, fitting rooms, stockroom and break areas.
• Maintain high image standards throughout the store and ensure shop windows meet company guidelines.

People and team development

• Participate in decisions relating to the selection of strategic positions within the store.
• Support the Store Manager in managing labour relations, developing employees and identifying potential.
• Prepare rotas according to business needs, and support team training, KPI achievement and productivity.
• Act as a spokesperson for customer experience, sustainability, diversity and inclusion within the store, working with the relevant team members.
• Support HR in developing projects that encourage employee involvement and motivation.

Store processes and operations

• Improve organisational processes across the store and stockrooms, working with managers to ensure activities are organised effectively and available resources are used well.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and provide guidance on managing working hours in line with established forecasts and sales periods.
• Work with the General Services team to maintain the store’s image, including maintenance, cleaning and lighting.
• Support and implement action plans with the Store Director/Store Manager to achieve objectives related to sales, productivity, team motivation and development.
• Develop new business projects and follow up on their progress.
• Establish general guidelines for the organisation of in-store processes and carry out operational visits to streamline them in cooperation with the relevant person in charge.
• Support the Operations Manager and their team in resolving operational issues.
• Participate in operational meetings and communicate objectives to the team during regular meetings.
• Develop sales and working-hour forecasts in line with company specifications.
• Monitor KPIs and propose action plans for improvement.
• Support store opening and closing procedures.

Skills and attributes

• Passionate, curious, motivated, customer-oriented and dynamic, with a willingness to contribute new ideas.
• Detail-oriented, creative and proactive, with a strong interest in fashion and the ability to share that passion with customers and teams.
• Strong analytical, prioritisation, delegation and organisational skills.
• Commercially minded, goal-oriented and focused on customer needs.
• Strong communication and data-analysis skills.
• Team management, leadership and influencing skills.
• Able to manage time and pressure, multitask and prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible, with an interest in developing others and building management skills.

Experience and qualifications

• Strong fashion knowledge, merchandising skills and market research experience.
• More than two years of management experience in fashion retail.
• Experience with MS Office.

Reporting and working relationships

• Reports to the Store Manager.
• Works closely with the store management team, including Product, Operations, Customer Experience and in-store HR, where the position exists, as well as the wider store team.
• Works with regional teams across Product, Visual Commercial, Image, Operations, HR, General Services, IT and other functions.