Branch Manager

Job overview
A branch manager is responsible for the management and control of a department store or supermarket which is one in a chain of stores.

His/her responsibilities include the profits, of the store, its costs, stock, security and administration, as well as the selection, interviewing and training of staff?

What do people do in this job?
Branch managers work in an office for part of the day where they plan the activities of the branch and see to administrative duties, but they also move through the store keeping an eye on the various sections and communicating with their staff and the customers.

They are in control of the administration, price-fixing, ordering and rotation of stock.

They must ensure that the store's budget is in line with the budget set up by the store's head office and that the store shows a profit.

They must also control theft and breakage.

Branch managers are responsible for matters such as interpreting research results on productivity and personnel performance, motivation of workers, medical and pension benefits and the payment of wages.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Prospective branch managers should be between the ages of 22 and 45 and will probably have started their careers as salespersons or trainee managers.

They should be good leaders, ready to take responsibility and able to communicate and work well with people.

To succeed they have to be very motivated and willing to work hard, often for long hours of overtime.

Prospective branch managers must be willing to accept transfers to other branches in the group, as decided by head office.

Their willingness to accept such transfers will improve their chances of promotion.

What qualifications are needed?
Much will depend on the size of the group of stores and the sophistication of its recruitment and training policy.

Smaller groups may simply bring deserving people up from lower positions to branch manager status, but bigger groups may look for paper qualifications in subjects such as commerce and accounts.

Well-run groups will also have their own training sessions or send staff on courses offered by colleges of further education.