Retail Store Manager

Retail Store Manager 40 hour contract

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. The Works literally means everything. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching. This is more than toys, books and art supplies – it is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. With the right passion, it all starts with you.

As a Store Manager you lead your store to success. You inspire and develop your team, drive commercial performance and ensure every customer enjoys a welcoming, well‑run, engaging shopping experience. You take ownership of all aspects of store operations – people, performance, standards and service – and help customers with their shopping missions, recommend products that surprise, delight and inspire, keep the store well‑stocked, tidy, safe and welcoming, and create an inclusive, supportive team culture.

At The Works a brand ambassador is the way you bring our brand to life every day through the moments you create. It is the smile that puts someone at ease, the warm welcome into the store, the support of colleagues with kindness, the conversations that help a child discover a new favourite toy, or the encouragement that inspires someone to reconnect with their creativity or love of reading.

These small interactions become extraordinary memories for the people who walk through our doors. Whether you’re on the shop floor, in our distribution centre or at our support centre, you always represent our products, services, values and behaviours in a positive and authentic way. We are all brand ambassadors.

• Lead, coach and develop your team to deliver excellent customer service and achieve store targets.
• Lead by example as a brand ambassador representing The Works to inspire your team.
• Take full ownership of store performance, using data and insights to drive results.
• Ensure high standards of visual merchandising, stock availability and store presentation.
• Recruit, onboard and train new team members, building a high‑performing, engaged team.
• Manage rotas, payroll and operational tasks to ensure efficient day‑to‑day running.
• Maintain compliance with health and safety, cash handling and loss prevention policies.
• Foster a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture where people feel developed and cared for.
• Collaborate with your Area Manager, other stores and central teams to implement business initiatives and share shop‑floor feedback.

• Proven experience in a retail management role.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Commercially focused with a track record of delivering results.
• Excellent communication, planning and organisational abilities.
• Confident using data to inform decisions and improve performance.
• Flexible, resilient and able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience in a high‑volume or value retail environment.
• Familiarity with retail systems and reporting tools.
• Experience managing recruitment, training and performance processes.
• Tech‑savvy with use of back‑office systems, EPoS tills, emails and video calls.

• Inspire and motivate your team in line with our employer brand, values, behaviours and purpose.
• Lead your team to reach their potential and steer your store to break records and get in the spotlight.
• Work collaboratively with support departments and peers.
• Speak up when something is not quite right so we can work together to improve.
• Support your team’s well‑being and aspirations, celebrating their achievements and helping them grow.

• 25% colleague discount and exclusive double‑discount days.
• MyWorks – access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities, tech and more.
• Family‑friendly leave with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• 33 days holiday including bank holidays.
• Stream – claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them.
• Can‑Do Academy – grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development.
• Share Scheme – own a share of The Works.
• 24/7 support…