ABOUT THE ROLE
At ‘Universal Works.’ we encourage our teams to work in the way that we do, by putting their ‘soul’ into their work, making it mean something. If you are an experienced Retail Store Manager, who can proactively drive the success of your store aligned with our business strategy, our customer & product and the wider retail landscape, and who excels in leading an engaged and knowledgeable team, who provide exemplary customer service, product knowledge and operational excellence, then you may be just the right fit for us.
Your role & responsibilities are:
COMMERCIAL
* Always keep at front of mind the brand strategy and values, understanding your place in this by running a successful store and motivated team.
* Build on our loyal customer base by ensuring that you and the team provide a warm and welcoming environment that maximises the customer experience
* Actively partner with your Sales Manager and HO team to ensure seasonal buying is relevant to your customer demographic and store capacity to maximise sales
* Share customer, product and local activity insights with your Area Manager and HO to inform and support brand events and enhance the stores ongoing performance.
* Liaise with your peers regularly to ensure the retail community is aligned, supported and best practices are shared
* Provide your Area Manager with regular sales analysis in relation to store performance to KPI’s, include factors affecting trade and any key recommendations
* Monitor and manage controllable costs ensuring they align with P&L budgets
* Ensure all product offers and promotions are efficiently executed and clearly communicated to the team to maximise our return on investment
* Keep well informed of the brands social media channels, ensuring the team can align activities with our stores and product and raise customer awareness
PEOPLE
* Be a brand ambassador and role model the Universal Works mission and values for your team, motivating, training and developing them to reach their potential
* Recruit knowledgeable team members that are passionate about the Universal Works brand and values, our product and loyal customers.
* Provide thorough inductions that set your team up for success, laying out UW expectations of their role and responsibilities, giving feedback and reviewing performance.
* Accountable for the ongoing development of the team by conducting regular training to upskill, engage, challenge and motivate.
* Review individual and team performance providing informal and formal reviews to recognize and praise excellent performance and to develop areas of need.
* Identify and proactively manage any poor performance using appropriate company policy and with referral to the Retail Area Manager.
* Drive team performance by communicating daily, weekly and monthly store targets and expectations, ensuring they understand the contribution and impact they have
* Support the team to deal with any complaints or escalated queries from customers, aiming to satisfy and always mindful to maintain the brand reputation.
PRODUCT
* Through effective commercial and aesthetic visual merchandising, ensure that the product on the shopfloor is always presented to an outstanding standard
* React to product performance such as best/slow sellers and stock levels to ensure effective product placement to maximise sell through and sales
* Ensure the mannequins and window reflect the brand image whilst balancing a considered approach to your customer demographic and product availability
* Implement a consistent approach to replenishment that ensures ever-present availability of sizes and stock
* Ensure efficient turnaround of deliveries, transfers and customer orders, following all stock management processes
* Plan and execute efficient end of season sales to maximise product sales and sell through
OPERATIONS
* Set exemplary daily housekeeping standards so that the shopfloor, window and back of house is always clean, tidy and an environment the team are proud of.
* Implement sound security standards and procedures to minimise stock loss, reporting any stock misuse or theft immediately to your Area Manager and HO team.
* Ensure that all HR policies and procedures are communicated and/or available for teams and are always adhered to by yourself and your team.
* Implement and follow all relevant H&S requirements to ensure compliance and the safety of yourself, team, customers and visitors at all times
* Report on any store maintenance issues to your Retail Sales Manager or HO teams ensuring the store fixtures and fittings are always in a safe and premium condition
* Plan and communicate timely and efficient rotas that best serve the relevant trading patterns and requirements of the store and align with payroll budgets
* Manage and plan effective use and allocation of team holidays, ensuring these are recorded and authorised according to current procedure
* Complete all payroll and HR requirements following due procedure, including advising HO of starters/leavers/changes and compliant Right to Work checks
* Responsible for the timely opening and closing of the store in line with the contractual agreements of trading hours
* Completion of daily paperwork and balancing of tills and cashflow each day, ensuring all requirements of HO are completed by set deadlines
* Any other duties reasonably requested by your Retail Sales Manager or HO teams.
Requirements:
* A brand ambassador, embracing and promoting the brand strategy and values
* Take responsibility for all aspects of the store’s success
* Excellent knowledge of retail with well-developed managerial skills
* Strategic planner, with excellent communication, able to prioritise and delegate
* Take pride in demonstrating and demanding outstanding customer service
* Builds relationships, has a friendly, helpful, confident and engaging approach
* Positive ‘can do’ attitude, driven to achieve results
* Passionate, enthusiastic, self-motivated and leads a motivated team
* Competent and capable in the use of our IT systems and software
* Flexible approach to retail working hours.
‘We’re accepting applications until 19th December 2025 but the role may close sooner if we find the right candidates quickly. Don’t wait—apply today!’
Email jobs@universalworks.com sending your CV and a cover letter, also specifying your notice period where applicable.
By applying to this advert, you consent to the following use of your Data: The storage, use of
candidate data, and CVs for recruitment processes.
Why Universal Works?
Universal Works is a down-to-earth but dedicated group of people who love what they do, and love what they wear. We put great design, community and trying to do the right thing at the heart of what we do, always approaching our work with responsibility, passion and a sense of humour. We are constantly striving to drive a culture we are proud of, and whether we are having a chat around the coffee machine or a company wide meeting, everyone feels heard. A creative bunch with a keen eye for clothing, there is a real excitement around the future of UW and how we will all be involved in getting there.
Our perks include competitive salaries and holiday allowance, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, flexible working policies and (the one you were waiting for) a very decent clothing discount and allowance. Staff are given the opportunity to give back, with plenty of charity volunteering days and initiatives.
Our growing team work from an office that has some of the best views in Nottingham, a warehouse and design studio not far from our HQ, and our stores in Nottingham and London. We are stocked across the globe from Los Angeles to Seoul—so you will never be too far from a Universal Works product anywhere in the world.