Newcastle Store Manager

About Finisterre Born two decades ago from the needs of hardy British surfers, Finisterre creates enduring outdoor wear for an inspired life in and around the ocean. Proudly B Corp certified, we have committed to a deep belief: to make truly exceptional products in a more responsible and transparent way. Whether based at our cliff top headquarters in St. Agnes, Cornwall, or in one of our retail locations across the UK, Finisterre is a truly unique brand and career proposition. Our store locations are the beating heart of our community. As Finisterre grows and moves forward, we want to increase our retail footprint; opening more stores where our customers are and continuing to make them exciting places that bring our brand and product narratives to life through our friendly, knowledgeable staff and exceptional customer service. Our retail teams offer amazing opportunities to grow a long-term career with purpose-led brand. So, if you want to be part of a truly authentic, purpose-led brand and you share our vision to create exceptional products in a responsible way, then we would love to hear from you. About The Role We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate retail manager to head up the Finisterre team at our new Newcastle store. Our Store Managers play a vital role in bringing together and energizing our Retail teams. As our Newcastle Store Manager, you will be the driving force that galvanises our Newcastle-based community, representing the brand and bringing our spirit to life in the capital. Your character, passion and ability to inspire your team will be just as crucial as your ability to manage rotas and oversee operations – creating an exceptional retail experience that prioritises customer service and empowers the retail team to excel in their roles. You don’t have to be a surfer, but a love of the sea and connection to the outdoors is essential – bringing a deep understanding of the benefits of this lifestyle and a passion to share and encourage it in others. The successful candidate will have a wealth of experience overseeing daily store operations, ensuring that all activities align with our purpose as well as meeting established targets and KPIs. In addition, they will be an experienced leader who can effectively motivate, support and guide staff to feel confident and fulfilled in their roles, ultimately driving sales growth while safeguarding the integrity and image of our brand within the retail marketplace. Key Responsibilities StrategyImplement the Finisterre retail strategy and feed store insights back to improve company performance and customer engagementSupport wider retail needs including covering stores, acting as a training store and assisting with new store launches and projectsExecute seasonal visual merchandising plans, window displays and in-store campaigns in partnership with the Finisterre VM team Customer Experience Drive best-in-class customer service, challenging the team to blend brand engagement with commercial awarenessEnsure all team members embody Finisterre’s brand values and can communicate them authenticallyBuild a loyal customer base through deep product knowledge, community connection and seamless transactionsAct on customer feedback and work with marketing to deliver engaging in-store events Commercial Own the store P&L – drive performance, manage costs and communicate targets and plans clearly to the teamStay ahead of the trading calendar, owning preparation for seasonal and promotional launchesWork closely with the merchandising team to maximise stock opportunity and minimise residualUnderstand and communicate company strategy, ensuring the team can connect store goals to the bigger picture Community Be the face of Finisterre locally – building genuine relationships with customers and community champions (surfers, swimmers, creatives, activists) who share our valuesLead the delivery of community events and activations (screenings, talk nights, workshops), ensuring every experience is authentic and connection-ledBuild local partnerships with surf clubs, swim groups, environmental and creative organisations, sharing collaboration opportunities with the central Community Marketing teamAct as the brand’s eyes and ears – capturing and relaying customer sentiment, local trends and emerging opportunitiesPosition the store as a community hub: a gathering point for ocean enthusiasts and a cultural space that drives quality footfall through events and word-of-mouth Operations Staff the store efficiently through effective rota planning that reflects weekly trading patternsManage stock in partnership with distribution and merchandising to maximise sales and minimise discountsMaintain high store standards across presentation, housekeeping, security and health & safetyManage store costs and communicate maintenance needs to the retail ops team People Lead by example – motivating, coaching and developing your team to reach their potentialDrive team product knowledge and create a culture of continuous improvementRecruit people who reflect Finisterre’s values: Product, People and EnvironmentCommunicate company goals clearly and represent the team at company events KPIs Annual sales & contribution targetsAverage transaction value (ATV)Stock coverStore costs v budgetConversionCustomer satisfaction What You’ll Bring To Finisterre You share our love of the sea and our brand values. You care about our planet and want to share your passion for protecting it with others.You like to lead by example, motivating and supporting others.You are a people person, building positive relationships with both customers and your retail team.You pay attention to detail, take pride in delivering tasks accurately and to a high standard.Proven experience at Store Manager level within a premium fashion brand who share Finisterre’s brand ethosBe commercially aware and possess in depth experience of working towards KPIs Competent with Excel, Word and Office OutlookDriven towards retail excellence and motivating towards other members of the teamPunctual, responsive and a good communicatorAbility to ensure on-going improvement of customer service standards across the companyPassion, energy and aspiration in line with Finisterre products, brand and customersA good problem solver Important: The successful candidate must, by the start of their employment, have permission to work in the UK. Please note that Finisterre are not licensed to sponsor overseas workers. What You’ll Receive From Finisterre We are offering a full time, permanent contract, based at our Newcastle store. We’ll invest in you with a competitive salary, circa £31,616 - £32,500, depending on your skills and experience. But It’s Not Just a Job. At Finisterre, We Provide An Opportunity To Grow And Develop Yourself Within At a Fast-paced, Growing B Corp Certified Brand With a Great Culture And An Exciting Purpose. You’ll Get The Chance To Collaborate With a Diverse Community Of People With a Shared Mission. In Return, We Take Good Care Of You Through a Range Of Initiatives And Rewards, Including 25 days holiday per year, plus an allowance of up to 8 UK bank holidays (pro rata for pat time employees)Additional holidays for length of serviceYour birthday day offUp to 3 days of paid volunteering per year – we will support you in giving back to communities and causes A discretionary bonus scheme, based on store performanceA pension scheme with Nest60% product discount for personal and gift use30% Friends and Family product discountA uniform allowance to help you represent the Finisterre brand with confidence and authenticity on the shop floorEnhanced Family Leave policies to support you in growing your family Life assurance with access to an online wellbeing platform which includes, an employee assistance program, virtual GP appointments, digital gym, and a range of perks Access to a range of wellbeing resources, including counselling services, cycle to work, eye tests, and wellbeing activitiesRegular team social and training daysVarious discounts from our B Corp communityAccess our online Learning Library and company-wide training sessions delivered by both internal and external trainers to support you in your ongoing development.Sea Tuesday companywide updatesAnd so much more! Closing date: We’ll be interviewing as we go along, so we’d encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as the role may close earlier than advertised. Finisterre is committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work.