Our operations managers are vital to the success of our business. They are skilled multitaskers who can switch between helping customers plan their dream bathroom one minute and then nipping outside to help take in the delivery the next.
Stephen is an Operations Manager at Wickes. He is responsible for inspiring colleagues to deliver the best possible customer experience as well as helping them overcome any obstacles or issues that could stand in their way. He does all of this whilst ensuring everyone is kept safe, truly displaying Winning Behaviours. Here’s his career story with Wickes and how he makes an impact as an Operations Manager:
Building a career at Wickes
Stephen says he’s always enjoyed working in retail and six years ago found himself between jobs, so he applied for and accepted a cashier position at Wickes in Uxbridge. He told us that he found he loved the company, products, culture and customers and quickly decided he wanted to stay and build his career here.
We’ve helped many colleagues build their careers. We have an open and transparent culture, and we want to hear everyone's ideas, opinions and contributions because it makes us a more inclusive employer.
What is a typical day like as an operations manager?
‘There is no such thing as a typical day for me. Depending on which shift I am working each day, I could be opening the store, getting the tills out and ensuring the store is safe and ready to do business. I could then spend the day supervising the shop floor, dealing with customer enquiries, driving a forklift, making sure the store is trading legally, doing key control audits, and challenging gaps and standards in the store, warehouse and yard.
On another day I could be running the kitchen and bathroom showroom, line managing the Design Consultants to maximise sales from their appointments, keeping the forecast tracker updated before doing the nightly checks and locking up the store for the evening.’
What do you enjoy about working at Wickes?
‘I love everything but in particular the sense of challenge and excitement from a situation which puts me outside of my comfort zone, such as a visit from directors, or having to respond to an incident requiring First Aid. I also get a particular sense of satisfaction when I finish work, and I have led my team to ensure the store is looking brilliant, including full shelves, correctly labelled and all promo and point of sale (POS) material correctly implemented in full.’
Any advice for someone thinking of applying for a job at Wickes?
‘Make your mark, don't be tempted to blend in or afraid to work hard, and seize every opportunity you're offered. Examine your performance throughout the day and ask yourself - "Have I made a difference?", "Did that customer get everything they need to complete their project?", "Would I be happy for my mum to receive service like that?", "Do my team see me as a role model and an inspirational leader?"
If you’ve been inspired by Stephen’s career story, and you’re looking to start a fulfilling career, browse our available operations manager jobs across the UK and apply today. Alternatively, find out more about the benefits of working at Wickes.
