Supermarket manager

Description

Supermarket managers are responsible for activities and staff in a supermarket.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to supermarket manager:

discount supermarket manager
outlet centre manager
hypermarket manager
food supermarket manager
general merchandise manager
graduate supermarket manager
senior supermarket manager
concession store manager
supermarket general store manager
grocery shop manager
assistant supermarket manager
trainee supermarket manager
graduate trainee supermarket manager

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as supermarket manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Supermarket manager is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Supermarket manager career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to supermarket manager.

hardware and paint shop manager
toys and games shop manager
floor and wall coverings shop manager
second-hand shop manager
shoe and leather accessories shop manager

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of supermarket manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of supermarket manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

purchasing manager
ICT vendor relationship manager
ICT account manager
metallurgical manager
hospitality revenue manager

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of supermarket manager.

Cold chain: The temperature at which certain products are to be kept for consumption.
Sales activities: The supply of goods, sale of goods and the related financial aspects. The supply of goods entails the selection of goods, import and transfer. The financial aspect includes the processing of purchasing and sales invoices, payments etc. The sale of goods implies the proper presentation and positioning of the goods in the shop in terms of acessibility, promotion, light exposure.
Employment law: The law which mediates the relationship between employees and employers. It concerns employees’ rights at work which are binding by the work contract.
Medicines for self-medication: Medication which can be self-administered by individuals for psychological or physical problems. This type is sold in supermarkets and drugstores and does not require a doctors prescription. This medication mostly treats common health issues.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of supermarket manager.

Study sales levels of products: Collect and analyse sales levels of products and services in order to use this information for determining the quantities to be produced in the following batches, customer feedback, price trends, and the efficiency of sales methods.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Maintain relationship with customers: Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Maintain relationship with suppliers: Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.
Recruit employees: Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.
Oversee promotional sales prices: Ensure that sale prices and promotions are passed through the register as they should.
Negotiate sales contracts: Come to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc.
Measure customer feedback: Evaluate customer’s comments in order to find out whether customers feel satisfied or dissatisfied with the product or service.
Enforce regulations of selling alcoholic beverages to minors: Ensure compliance with governmental regulations concerning the selling of alcoholic beverages to minors.
Apply procurement: Undertake ordering of services, equipment, goods or ingredients, compare costs and check the quality to ensure optimal payoff for the organisation.
Maximise sales revenues: Increase possible sales volumes and avoid losses through cross-selling, upselling or promotion of additional services.
Ensure compliance with purchasing and contracting regulations: Implement and monitor company activities in compliance with legal contracting and purchasing legislations.
Adhere to organisational guidelines: Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
Manage the store image: ensure the store’s concept is properly advertised through different channels, and that the image is consistent with the product display and staff behaviour.
Set sales goals: Set sales goals and objectives to be reached by a sales team within a period of time such as the target amount of sales made and new customers found.
Control of expenses: Monitoring and maintaining effective cost controls, in regards to efficiencies, waste, overtime and staffing. Assessing excesses and strives for efficiency and productivity.
Supervise merchandise displays: Work closely together with visual display staff to decide how items should be displayed, in order to maximise customer interest and product sales.
Monitor customer service: Ensure all employees are providing excellent customer service in accordance to company policy.
Manage theft prevention: Apply theft and robbery prevention; monitor security surveillance equipment; enforce security procedures if needed.
Enforce regulations of selling tobacco to minors: Ensure compliance with governmental regulations concerning the prohibition of selling tobacco products to minors.
Perform market research: Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of supermarket manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Cyber security: The methods that protect ICT systems, networks, computers, devices, services, digital information and people against illegal or unauthorised use.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of supermarket manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Identify suppliers: Determine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likelihood of obtaining beneficial contracts and agreements with them.
Implement marketing strategies: Implement strategies which aim to promote a specific product or service, using the developed marketing strategies.
Coach team on visual merchandising: Coach sales team on in-store visual merchandising; help employees to interpret guidelines; train employees in effective execution of visual concept.
Examine merchandise: Control that items put up for sale are correctly priced and displayed and that they function as advertised.
Ensure compliance with warranty contracts: Implement and monitor repairs and/or replacements by the supplier in compliance with warranty contracts.
Use internet to increase sales: Promote goods and services through the use of internet systems such as e-commerce, m-commerce and social media in order to increase sales.
Develop an organisational structure: Create and develop the organisational structure of a group of people working together to realise the goals of the organisation.
Assess supplier risks: Evaluate supplier performance in order to assess which suppliers do or may not perform adequately, stick to the agreed contracts, meet the standard requirements and desired quality at all times or who may pose future risks.
Manage inventory: Control product inventory in balance of availability and storage costs.
Produce sales reports: Maintain records of calls made and products sold over a given time frame, including data regarding sales volumes, number of new accounts contacted and the costs involved.
Implement sales strategies: Carry out the plan to gain competitive advantage on the market by positioning the company’s brand or product and by targeting the right audience to sell this brand or product to.
Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
Keep up with trends: Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.

ISCO group and title

1420 – Retail and wholesale trade managers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Supermarket manager – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022