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What does a Shop Manager do?

B. Miller
B. Miller

A shop manager may perform a number of different tasks on a daily basis, depending on the size of the shop that he or she is managing, as well as if it is a standalone business or part of a larger chain of stores. If the shop operates independently, the shop manager may have a great deal more responsibility, and may only report to the owner of the business. If the shop is part of a chain of stores, however, the manager will likely be part of a much larger chain of command that includes regional or district managers, and even national managers, before reaching the owner of the company.

It is typically the job of a shop manager to hire employees, train them or assign supervisors to perform the training process, make sure they are following the standards of conduct set out by the business, supervise them on a daily basis to determine whether or not the employees are performing their duties correctly, and even terminate employment if it becomes necessary. Again, depending on the size of the business, the shop manager may also need to perform some additional human resources duties, such as assisting employees with benefit selection or time off. The part of the job that requires working with employees is only one aspect of it, however.

A shop manager oversees a shop's operations.
A shop manager oversees a shop's operations.

In many cases, a shop manager will be responsible for maintaining the accounting books for the store, as well as taking inventory of products, and ordering more as needed. He or she may also create marketing campaigns or advertisements, and represent the business in the local community. Working with customers is also part of the job of a shop manager. Generally, a manager will not work with customers as much as the other employees will, but may be responsible for resolving any problems or complaints that a customer may have and providing excellent customer service.

Shop managers oversee employee and customer interactions.
Shop managers oversee employee and customer interactions.

It is important for a shop manager to be able to work well with other people, including customers, cashiers, stock clerks, and supervisors, resolve problems quickly and efficiently, be very well organized, and manage his or her time carefully. A manager may work more than 40 hours per week in order to run the retail establishment successfully, and though specific education is typically not required, many store managers have degrees in business. These are just a few of the possible job duties of a shop manager, and each individual's situation may be different.

Discussion Comments

TreeMan

@stl156 - Part of it really depends on the company. Some stores have strict policies about what qualifications a manager has to have before they are given a certain position.

If you think you could still get a position without a formal degree, there are a few routes you can take. Some community colleges I think offer short courses in business management, and you might be able to get some sort of certification that could help prove your dedication to moving up.

Another way is just to impress your bosses so that they have no other choice but to promote you. Come up with some creative ideas that you think could help whatever problems the company is currently having. Suggest a way to sell overstocked items or reduce inventory loss. Obviously, going over your supervisor's head is usually frowned upon, but if you can, find a way to make sure your ideas are heard by the right people.

Maybe some other users will have more ideas and experience in this area.

stl156

Right now I am working as an assistant manager at a clothing store. I get great reviews, and everyone seems impressed with my work. I really think I could do a good job if I got the chance to move up another level. I would like to be more involved with the behind-the-scenes work rather than mainly dealing with customers.

Part of the problem is that most of the current managers have at least some sort of college business experience or managerial training at another store. Is there anything I can do besides going to college that might be able to give me a chance to move up in the company?

jcraig

@jmc88 - I completely agree. Knowing that your managers care enough to acknowledge you when you work for a big company can be a great motivator. I would also note, though, that being too friendly with employees can lead to them trying to take advantage of you.

I think another part of being successful is just having a good mind for business and how to be efficient at running a store. Most of the larger companies have protocols for almost everything, but I have known people in charge of small local chains where the owner couldn't be around every day. It was up to them to take charge and handle problems when they came up, otherwise the impacts could have been huge.

jmc88

I think having a shop manager that is able to successfully interact with employees is one of the most important parts of running any successful business.

I have read a lot of articles that talk about how your treatment reflects your job satisfaction. I can even say from personal experience that having a supervisor who knows your name, says "Hi" every day, and can have a conversation with you will make you much more productive.

Especially for larger companies, if the person running a store on a daily basis doesn't treat workers fairly or doesn't do their job right, the store could lose a lot of money. Plus, it could be months before they realize the root of the problem.

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    • A shop manager oversees a shop's operations.
      By: Monkey Business
      A shop manager oversees a shop's operations.
    • Shop managers oversee employee and customer interactions.
      By: Kadmy
      Shop managers oversee employee and customer interactions.
    • Particularly at small retail stores, a shop manager may work on the sales floor, helping customers find the best products for their specific needs.
      By: Robert Kneschke
      Particularly at small retail stores, a shop manager may work on the sales floor, helping customers find the best products for their specific needs.
    • Shop managers often decide on how products should be displayed.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Shop managers often decide on how products should be displayed.
    • Shop managers might develop strategies for preventing shoplifting.
      By: Steve Lovegrove
      Shop managers might develop strategies for preventing shoplifting.