Retail General Manager - independent retail/wholesale

An exciting opportunity for an experienced, commercially focused General Manager to take overall responsibility for the sales, profitability, and development of an established agricultural retail business.

The business serves the agricultural and rural community through a combination of trade and retail counters, supplying agricultural feeds, pet food, machinery, equipment and associated products.

This is a hands-on leadership role, working closely with the Owner/Director and Finance Controller to drive the business forward. With Shop Managers already in place to oversee the day-to-day running of each store, the General Manager will provide overall leadership, commercial direction and strategic development across the business, while remaining visible and actively involved with customers and the team.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for sales, gross margin and profitability across the three stores, working closely with the Finance Controller and Business Owner.
• Develop and deliver plans to increase sales, improve margins and grow the business.
• Identify new commercial opportunities, products, services and customer markets.
• Lead, support and develop the three Shop Managers and wider team of circa 40.
• Set clear expectations around sales performance, customer service and operational standards.
• Maintain a visible, hands-on presence across the stores, including serving customers and building relationships with the team and suppliers.
• Build strong relationships with customers to understand how to meet the needs of the agricultural and rural community.
• Oversee commercial decisions on stock, working closely with procurement to optimise operational performance.
• Monitor and use sales and financial information to identify opportunities and make informed commercial decisions.
• Bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the business
• Work closely with the Owner/Director to shape and deliver the future direction and growth of the business.
• Ensure appropriate standards of health & safety, compliance and operational efficiency are maintained.

Experience required:

• Proven experience in a senior management/general management role within trade or retail.
• Strong commercial understanding with experience of managing sales, margin and profitability.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop teams.
• Customer-focused with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Able to analyse performance information and translate it into practical commercial action.
• Confident making decisions and taking ownership of business performance.
• A hands-on and visible leadership style, comfortable working alongside the team and customers.
• Commercially entrepreneurial, with the ability to identify opportunities and introduce new ideas.
• Practical, pragmatic and able to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational involvement.

Desirable experience:

• Experience within or exposure to the agricultural/rural sector to bring product/market knowledge.
• Experience managing a multi-site retail or trade operation.
• Relevant management, retail, or business qualification.
• Full clean UK driving licence and access to own vehicle.