Review: Store Manager Opportunity at AkzoNobel – Dulux Decorating Centres

AkzoNobel, a global leader in paints and coatings since 1792, invites ambitious and commercially astute individuals to take on the pivotal role of Store Manager for one of their Dulux Decorating Centres. This position offers a unique chance to lead and grow a vital part of the UK’s largest paint and decorating merchant.

Advantages for Your Career Path

This opportunity with AkzoNobel and Dulux Decorating Centres presents several compelling advantages for candidates looking to advance their management careers:

• Robust Company Foundation & Brand Recognition: You'll be joining a company with over two centuries of heritage, a global presence in 150+ countries, and a world-class portfolio of trusted brands including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon. This stability and market leadership provide a strong platform for your professional growth.
• Commitment to Employee Development: AkzoNobel is recognized as a Top 100 Employer with 'Investors in People-Gold' accreditation. This signals a genuine commitment to fostering employee success through comprehensive training and clear paths for career progression. If you're looking for an employer that invests in its people, this is a significant draw.
• Significant Autonomy & Impact: As Store Manager, you'll take full responsibility for the smooth running and growth of your centre, including owning the store’s P&L. This involves driving sales, optimizing margins, and protecting assets, offering a substantial opportunity to demonstrate and hone your commercial acumen and leadership skills.
• Team Leadership & Development: A key aspect of the role is engaging and developing your team, fostering a culture of high service levels and collaboration. This provides an excellent platform to build on your leadership capabilities and make a tangible difference in team performance.
• Comprehensive Rewards & Benefits: AkzoNobel offers a competitive salary coupled with an attractive benefits package. This includes 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), income protection, company pension, staff and product discounts, Employee Assistance Programme, and an Employee Life Assurance scheme. Furthermore, a flexible benefits scheme allows you to tailor options like Gymflex and retail cards to your needs.
• Supportive & Inclusive Culture: The company explicitly states its commitment to a healthy work-life balance and mental well-being, offering flexible working options for roles. AkzoNobel also emphasizes an inclusive and respectful workplace, actively training on unconscious bias to ensure a diverse environment where all employees can thrive.

Key Considerations for Candidates

To succeed in this role, potential candidates should carefully consider the following aspects:

• Leadership and Commercial Acumen: The role demands a strong focus on commercial performance, including sales/account management experience, reviewing business performance, and comfortable ownership of a store's P&L. You will need to be strategically minded and proactive in seeking market share in your local area.
• Team Engagement and Nurturing: Success hinges on your ability to inspire, develop, and maintain high service levels within your team. Experience in nurturing and motivating staff is paramount.
• Customer-Centric Approach: A commitment to providing exceptional customer service, including warm welcomes, informed conversations, and personalized proposals, is essential to differentiate the store.
• Work Schedule: This is a full-time, 40-hour per week role. Candidates must be available for shifts between 7 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and be prepared to work rotational Saturday shifts (8 am to 4 pm), with time off in lieu provided.
• Location: The position is based in Morecambe (LA4 5SS), so proximity or willingness to relocate is a practical consideration.
• Collaboration and Standards: You will be responsible for upholding excellent retail and operational store standards and collaborating with the Regional Operations Manager to achieve commercial plans and talent development.

Is This Opportunity For You?

If you are an experienced leader with a strong commercial mindset, a passion for developing teams, and a dedication to outstanding customer service, this Store Manager role at AkzoNobel’s Dulux Decorating Centres could be an excellent next step. The company encourages applications from individuals with relevant experience and expertise, even if they don’t meet every single listed criterion, highlighting their commitment to finding the right talent.

This is more than just a retail management position; it's a chance to lead a significant business unit within a globally respected organization, contributing to both its commercial success and its people's growth. If you're ready to "paint the future together" with a pioneering company, this role offers a canvas for significant career development.