Universe Manager - Decathlon

Position Overview

As a Universe Manager at Decathlon, you will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, enhancing customer experiences, and maximizing sales performance within the Universe floor. This dynamic position requires a strategic leader who can oversee daily activities, manage a high-performing team, and ensure alignment with the company’s customer service and visual merchandising standards. Your responsibilities will span from staff management and inventory control to commercial strategy development and stakeholder engagement, all while fostering a results-driven and customer-centric environment.

Key Responsibilities

The Universe Manager is entrusted with the following core duties to ensure the seamless operation of the Universe floor:

• Operational Excellence: Oversee Universe floor activities to guarantee efficient operations, adherence to customer service standards, and impeccable visual merchandising and store presentations. Ensure product availability at all times to meet customer demand.
• Team Leadership & Development: Manage the Universe staff by designing and implementing work schedules, setting clear goals and objectives, and conducting performance evaluations. Foster a motivated and high-performing team through targeted training, coaching, and performance incentives.
• Commercial Strategy & Planning: Develop and execute a robust commercial policy, seasonal layout plans, and an annual timetable for commercial campaigns to drive sales and enhance customer engagement.
• Pricing & Competitiveness: Analyze market benchmarks and recommend strategic price modifications to maintain competitiveness while ensuring profitability.
• Sales & Inventory Management: Monitor sales figures, inventory levels, and profit-and-loss reports to ensure the team meets weekly and seasonal targets. Conduct regular stock audits, collaborate with the Store Manager on inventory processes, and reorder merchandise to maintain optimal stock levels and product range availability.
• Customer Experience & Engagement: Greet customers and ensure they receive timely and high-quality service from shop staff. Develop and maintain a calendar of shop events, communicate it effectively to the team, and supervise promotional activities via social media to drive customer engagement and footfall.
• Stakeholder Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with wholesale customers to address their needs promptly. Collaborate with local sports clubs to enhance brand visibility, foster community engagement, and boost sales.
• Logistics & Supplier Coordination: Oversee shipment reception processes, liaise with local suppliers, and negotiate favorable terms to ensure a smooth supply chain. Address operational issues proactively and report them to senior management as needed.

Key Competencies & Qualifications

To excel in this role, you must demonstrate a blend of leadership, analytical, and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies:

• Leadership Competencies:
  • Strong leadership abilities to inspire and guide the team toward achieving targets.
  • Effective decision-making and delegation skills to optimize team performance.
  • Accountability for results and strategic thinking to drive long-term success.
• Communication Competencies:
  • Exceptional verbal and customer-facing communication skills to engage stakeholders and customers.
  • Proficiency in presentation skills to articulate strategies and updates clearly.
  • Strong stakeholder management to build and maintain key relationships.
• Analytical Competencies:
  • Data-driven decision-making to analyze sales trends, inventory performance, and market benchmarks.
  • Problem-solving skills to address operational challenges and drive continuous improvement.
  • Commercial awareness to identify opportunities for growth and competitiveness.
• Personal Competencies:
  • A results-oriented mindset with a focus on achieving and exceeding targets.
  • Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy in reporting and inventory management.
  • Strong time management and adaptability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • A customer-centric approach to deliver exceptional shopping experiences.