Retail Supervisor

Retail Supervisor About the role

Are you an experienced retail professional with a passion for leading teams, driving sales, and delivering exceptional customer experiences?

Imperial College Union is looking for a proactive and commercially minded Retail Supervisor to support the day-to-day operation of our busy retail outlets and growing online store. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled retail leader to take ownership of store performance, motivate teams, manage stock effectively, and help shape the future of retail services at one of the world's leading universities.

Working closely with the Retail Manager and Assistant Retail Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our retail operations run smoothly, efficiently, and profitably while maintaining the highest standards of customer service and visual presentation.

As Retail Supervisor, you will:

• Lead, motivate and support retail staff to deliver an outstanding customer experience.
• Oversee daily shop floor operations, ensuring excellent merchandising, stock availability, and presentation standards.
• Manage deliveries, stock control processes and supplier relationships to ensure effective stock coverage throughout trading periods.
• Support the development and growth of the Union's online retail offering.
• Monitor performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement solutions to enhance sales and operational effectiveness.
• Coordinate staffing schedules and ensure adequate coverage across trading hours.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and development of casual retail staff.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls, stock management procedures, and cash handling processes.
• Maintain a safe, compliant working environment and champion health and safety best practice.
• Assist with stock takes, budgeting activities, and continuous improvement initiatives across the retail operation.

Please see Job Description for full list of duties and responsibilities.

You will demonstrate:

• Proven experience leading, supervising, and motivating retail teams to achieve excellent results.
• Experience managing stock ordering and supplier relationships to meet business demands and peak trading periods.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and an ability to build positive working relationships across a diverse organisation.
• Experience using EPOS systems, stock control processes, and retail reporting tools.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Competence in Microsoft Office applications, spreadsheets, and retail technology systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, solve problems independently, and make sound operational decisions.
• A proactive, resourceful, and customer-focused approach.

It would be advantageous if you have:

• Significant retail experience within a high-volume environment with turnover exceeding £1m.
• Experience in e-commerce or online retail operations.
• Knowledge of retail sector trends and changing customer behaviours.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and best practice.
• Experience with in a Students' Union, higher education, or customer-focused service environment.
• A recognised Health & Safety qualification.

Please see Job Description for full list of Person Specification.

Please note this role is with the Students’ Union. We’re a registered charity in our right, with our own governance, systems, processes, and objectives. However, we work extremely closely with Imperial College London, so you’ll also be joining a wider community of staff working within higher…