- Why use this retail manager resume example?
- How to write a great retail manager resume
- Which key skills are relevant to a retail manager resume?
Retail managers, whether running a store or a chain of stores, need to cultivate their employee’s potential, motivate them to excel at clearly defined tasks, and protect them from hazards such as harassment or poor working conditions. On the client-facing side of things, skilled retail managers don’t just provide excellent customer service but also use long-term planning to make sure the right products are available in an accessible, welcoming store space. To create a professional retail manager resume that captures these qualities and others, follow the guidelines below.
Why use this retail manager resume example?
The main advantage of the sample retail manager resume below is its sheer adaptability. Professional retail managers can come from all walks of life - some starting their first managerial job after earning their MBA, others getting promoted from sales associate positions, etc.
With the sections in this sample resume, you can describe many different career backgrounds and highlight specific fields of expertise you have.
If you’re not sure how to describe your strengths and competencies as a retail manager, you can also borrow specific phrases from this resume template’s sample text. Terms such as “sales-driven,” “customer-focused,” or “shrink reduction/avoidance” show up often in website descriptions for retail manager openings.
Using these keywords also gives your resume a better chance of being noticed by hiring algorithms used to sort through all applications of retail manager job seekers.
How to write a great retail manager resume
After typing out your name and contact information, list all the personal key skills you can think of in two possible locations: 1) an italicized list below your career title or 2) a bullet-point list under the section titled Management and Sales Strengths. Using the information in these lists, write a paragraph that describes who you are as a retail manager–the direct experience you have, the professional standards you uphold, and what retail businesses can always count on you to accomplish.
In the Professional Experiences section of your retail manager resume, list all your previous management positions in order of newest to oldest. For each current/past position, describe your primary responsibility in a single italicized sentence, your secondary responsibilities in a paragraph below that, and specific stand-out accomplishments in a bullet-point list under the title Selected Achievements.
If you have non-managerial retail work experiences or careers from 10+ years ago, list them in your resume’s Additional Experience section leaving out any start/end dates.
FInally, use the Educational Background section of your resume to describe the degrees you earned and the colleges/universities you earned them from. If you belong to any associations for fellow managers or retail experts, list those affiliations in the Professional Associations section.
Which key skills are relevant to a retail manager resume?
When creating your own original retail manager resume, be sure to list key skills like the following:
Customer Service
Visual Merchandising / Product Presentation
Store Design
Purchasing and Vendor Management
Operations Analysis / Inventory Planning
Cost Reduction and Shrink Avoidance
Profit Optimization
Sales Training and Team Building
Recruiting and Staffing Initiatives
Budget Administration / Oversight
Change / Turnaround Management
Problem Solving
Time Management
Summary example
Seasoned management professional with extensive experience leading profit-generating operations through innovative merchandising, pricing and discounting, and focus on continuous product turnover. Effective leader skilled in developing highly productive, sales-driven teams by implementing customer-focused training and sales programs. Exceptional ability to establish rapport with customers, gain trust, and build strong repeat and referral business. Proven record of effective short- and long-range tactical planning and improving operational processes to reduce shrink and achieve optimal profitability.
Employment history example
Store manager at Dupree Outfitters
2004 - present
Oversee operations for leading general merchandise retailer with 75 stores and $800M in annual revenue.
Direct day-to-day operations of 80,000 sq. ft. store generating more than $12M in annual revenue. Recruit, train, mentor, and manage 70-member team, ensuring continuous delivery of outstanding customer service. Supervise five department managers, providing coaching and engendering accountability for store results and staff performance. Develop and implement strategic merchandising plans to achieve revenue objectives and reduce expenditures while ensuring payroll remains within budget.
Selected Achievements:
Consistently exceeded annual goals in key metrics, such as profit, sales, employee retention and customer service.
Led highly effective $2M remodeling of entire store in July 2005.
Received the 2007 “Leadership Excellence Award” as recognition for exceptional professional achievement in meeting corporate objectives.
Assistant Store Manager at Kosmo Imports
2000 - 2004
Charged with managing a range of key operational functions for major imports company with 8 locations and $23M in annual revenue.
Coordinated efforts to restore profitability and reputation of under-performing location with 26 employees. Implemented new policies and procedures, including various initiatives designed to increase sales and client loyalty. Co-facilitated launch of new store; developed new-hire training and orientation materials.
Selected Achievements:
Played key role in boosting profitability by 46% and customer satisfaction rating by 23% within first ten months in position.
Reduced shrink from 1.2% to 0.3% through implementation of improved merchandising and inventory procedures.
Education example
Master of Business Administration at Montana State University
Bachelor of Science in History at University of Colorado – Boulder
Skills example
Merchandising / Product Presentation
Purchasing and Vendor Management
Operations Analysis / Inventory Planning
Cost Reduction and Shrink Avoidance
Budget Administration / Oversight
