Department Manager By: Katrina Moorin

As a department manager in the retail industry, you'll be responsible for: Managing a department or 'trading area' and its team. Merchandising, stock availability, profit protection, sales, profitability, account analysis, forecasting and general day-to-day management of your department. Customer service in your trading area. Recruitment, training and management are also among your duties, as is selling to the public and developing contacts with potential customers Reporting to the General or Store Manager, and work closely with them, as well as other specialist managers such as Stock and Service Managers. Working with buyers and merchandisers on issues such as strategy. Duties

Education and Salary Education Required: Most employers require a high school diploma or GED, depending on the size of the department. Larger organizations will require a bachelor’s degree in business or a related discipline. Salary : (not exact amounts, varies company to company) As a department manager, you can typically earn between £17,000 and £25,000, depending on your experience, the company and location. Progress to store manager and you can earn £40,000 a year or more. You may also earn extra bonuses and commission for meeting sales targets.

To be a department manager, you'll need a range of qualities and abilities: The ability to lead and motivate a team Excellent communication and 'people' skills A strong commitment to customer service The ability to work under pressure and handle challenging situations Confidence, drive and enthusiasm Decision-making ability and a sense of responsibility The ability to understand and analyze sales figures Sound business sense An understanding of retail laws, security and health and safety. Entry Qualities and Abilities

Locations and Availability Because these occupations occur in a retail environment, working evenings and weekends is generally required. This includes working long hours and some holidays and during sales. Normally, you'll work 35 to 40 hours a week. This is likely to include weekends and possibly evenings, depending on your store's opening hours. You will probably have an office base in the store, but will spend much of your time on the shop floor The retail sector employs around three million people, or 11% of the UK's workforce, with outlets across the length and breadth of the country. With experience, you can progress from department manager to store, area or regional manager if you're working for a chain. Alternatively, you could move to a manager's job in another trading area, or another company. You'll find jobs advertised in both the local and national press, at Jobcentre Plus, on employers' own websites, in- store and on specialist recruitment websites.

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