Department Manager - Aelia Duty Free

Aldergrove, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

1/4/2025

Exciting new opportunity in travel retail, delivering exceptional service while working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment!

Job purpose:

The Department Manager supports the General Manager in overseeing the day-to-day operations of their defined department, ensuring sales targets are met, and delivering a high standard of customer service. You will help lead and develop the team, manage stock, maintain store presentation, and handle key responsibilities such as staff scheduling, training, and performance evaluations. In the absence of the General Manager, you will be responsible for all store operations.

This Department Manager role will be focused on the perfume and cosmetics department within our Aelia duty free store at Belfast Airport. This store is undergoing a significant redevelopment with the estimated opening of the new store in March 2025. During the time before store opening there will be full training on our system and processes, and the responsibility of supporting recruitment for the growing team.

Reports to: General Manager

Location: Belfast International Airport

Salary: £30,925

Contract: 37.5 hours per week, across 5 days

Bonus: Performance based bonus scheme, paid annually on achievement of objectives.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist the General Manager in achieving sales and profit targets.
• Managing a team of Supervisors, ensuring they are motivated, knowledgeable and equipped to manage their individual teams.
• Supervise, motivate, and lead the team to deliver excellent customer service.
• Ensure the department is well-maintained, visually appealing, and stocked according to merchandising guidelines.
• Manage department stocktakes (every 6 months) and report/action results.
• Handle staffing, including scheduling, shift management, and training of new employees.
• Manage stock levels and inventory control, ensuring proper stock rotation and reducing loss.
• Handle customer complaints and resolve issues efficiently.
• Monitor and report on store performance and staff productivity.
• Support with managing HR issues within store.
• Accountable for health and safety, security, and emergency systems, according to company policy and relevant law.
• Support the General Manager in administrative tasks, including financial reports and store policies.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a retail management or supervisory role.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Proven ability to drive sales and meet performance targets.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in stock management and retail operations.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  
  

Accessing the airport:

A five-year working and personal reference, along with a Criminal Reference Check, will be required for this role as the store is airside in the departures lounge. This will be discussed in more detail at interview stage or please contact us if you have any questions regarding this.

Our values: Can you feel the HEAT?

Whatever role you deliver for Lagardère Travel Retail, part of your responsibility is to represent and uphold our company values everyday:

HONESTY - Working ethically | Fostering a culture of openness | Treating each other fairly | Being considerate

EXCELLENCE - Delivering first class customer service | Upholding high store standards | Showcasing prestigious brands

AGILITY - Working in a fast-paced environment | Adapting well to change | Always striving to improve

TEAM SPIRT - Working together as one team | Supporting each other | Being active partners in our wider communities

Our company:

One of the two divisions of the Lagardère group, Lagardère Travel Retail is a pioneering global leader in the travel retail industry and the only operator to have established a comprehensive and world-recognised leadership across multiple business activities.

Cumulating more than 170 years of experience in travel retail since the opening of the first bookstore in 1852 at Paris Gare de Lyon, we deliver new experiences for travelers every day.

Operating over 5,000 stores across Travel Essentials, Duty Free & Fashion and Foodservice in airports, railway stations and other concessions in 42 countries worldwide, we generated €5.2bn sales in 2022.

At Lagardère Travel Retail we believe an inclusive and diverse culture can help businesses and people thrive. We are committed to create a work environment where our people can fulfil their potential and be themselves and to support each and every one of them in achieving their ambitions. We welcome and consider all applicants regardless of their background and can ensure all candidates will receive a fair and equal treatment.