Team manager Review

I oversee the running of the men’s and home departments. Day to day this involves Visual merchandising, stock replenishment, preparing then putting out delivery, ensuring all department colleagues have a clear understanding of objectives/ jobs for the day and week ahead. Delivering feedback to the team, briefing on how we are doing as a store compared to our region and company as a whole. Keeping a close eye on stock loss and areas to improve, looking into sub department sales and making comer ial decisions to improve sales.

I learned a lot more about the data side of my role and about decisions over retail as a whole not just within fashion retailers.

I really enjoyed the time within the apprenticeship to progress my skills and actually have dedicated time set aside to explore my role more.

The programme is well structured although I think it takes a few months to find your own way of organising your dedicated learning time around your current role.

I was extremely lucky to have 2 line managers who were extremely supportive when I asked to be shown new areas of the business and to set aside dedicated learning time each week. As they knew me so well, they also spotted when I needed support even before I asked and ensured I wasn’t doing too much, helping to ease the load where necessary.

I was extremely lucky with my tutor who would delivery great face to face sessions but was good at replying to email/whatsapp queries I had a long the way. I had a bit of a wobble towards the end of the apprenticeship before the end point assessment, but we spent a whole session talking through everything, no question was too silly or mundane in her eyes and it really made me feel prepared but also less anxious.

I feel it massively has helped my role, I know more about where to find all the data to help me look at my departments in more detail, I’ve learned more about myself as a manager and how to manage people and difficult conversations. I definitely feel more confident as a manager and how to produce the best out of my team and departments.

Not within my store that I am aware of.

Yes

The team are fun and supportive. The role can be demanding but with the support of your colleagues and managers shifts just fly by. Two days are never the same, so providing you have common sense and a willingness to learn there are always ways of learning new skills and the internal progression is great (where available).

Be yourself. We are a greatly diverse team which is great as we can learn from each other. Listen, ask questions, learn as much as you can and always ALWAYS ask if you are unsure or want clarity.