Create A New Job Description For A Store Manager Position ✓ Solved

Create A New Job Description For A Store Manager Position And Develop

Create a new job description for a store manager position and develop a succession plan strategy (6 pages) for those who seek a promotion into supervisory and management positions, either for FFH or within your own workplace. Include steps to design a career development plan, training programs, external development sources, legal standards, internal policies, and diversity planning, with specific strategies for each relevant position. Support your analysis with scholarly and professional resources, formatted in APA style, and ensure your writing demonstrates graduate-level professionalism.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The retail industry is experiencing an urgent need to address leadership succession due to the impending retirement of seasoned store managers. Particularly in organizations like FFH, where 18 store managers over 65 are nearing retirement, strategic planning for talent development and leadership continuity is critical. This paper develops a comprehensive job description for the new store manager role and formulates a detailed succession plan strategy focused on developing internal talent, leveraging external resources, and aligning policies with organizational goals.

Development of the Store Manager Job Description

The store manager acts as the operational leader responsible for driving sales, managing staff, ensuring customer satisfaction, and maintaining compliance with company policies. The core responsibilities include strategic planning, staff recruitment and supervision, inventory management, and financial oversight. Essential qualifications encompass a bachelor's degree in business, retail management experience, leadership skills, and proficiency in retail point-of-sale systems. To attract qualified candidates, the job description emphasizes key competencies such as strategic vision, communication skills, analytical ability, and adaptability.

Designing a Career Development Plan

A successful succession strategy begins with structured career development pathways. For FFH, this entails establishing tiered training programs aligned with each supervisory level. For example:

- Assistant Department Supervisor: Training in team leadership, inventory control, and customer service excellence.

- Department Supervisor: Focused on operational management, conflict resolution, and financial metrics analysis.

- Shift Supervisor: Emphasis on scheduling, shift management, and vendor relations.

- Assistant Store Manager: Broader managerial training, including budgeting, strategic planning, and HR policies.

Progression through these levels should include mentorship, job rotation, and performance evaluations to prepare candidates for promotion.

External Development Sources

To supplement internal training, FFH can partner with external sources such as:

- Retail management certification programs (e.g., NRF’s Certified Retail Mortgagee Course)

- Leadership development workshops conducted by professional training organizations

- Online courses focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), customer service, and retail analytics

- Industry conferences and networking events for peer learning

These sources provide current industry best practices and facilitate broader professional growth.

Legal Standards and Policy Considerations

Legal standards essential for succession planning include adherence to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and federal and state labor laws. Policies should ensure non-discriminatory advancement practices and compliance with wage and hour regulations. Establishing clear, documented procedures for promotions and training can prevent legal disputes and ensure fairness.

Internal Policies for Supporting Succession Planning

Internally, policies related to performance appraisal, training, and development must be reviewed and aligned with succession objectives. HR policies should support:

- Structured mentoring programs

- Clear criteria for promotions

- Regular performance reviews focusing on leadership competencies

- Diversity and inclusion policies that promote equal opportunity for advancement across all demographics

Furthermore, policies should encourage transparent communication about career pathways and provide resources for skill enhancement.

Diversity and Inclusion Impact

A comprehensive succession plan must prioritize diversity to foster an inclusive workforce. Efforts should include outreach to underrepresented groups, unbiased recruitment practices, and leadership development programs tailored to diverse talent pools. This approach not only broadens the candidate pipeline but also aligns with legal standards and corporate social responsibility goals, enhancing organizational reputation.

Strategic Recommendations for Each Role

- Assistant Department Supervisor: Implement targeted training in customer engagement and operational procedures, with a focus on diversity sensitivity.

- Department Supervisor: Develop leadership programs emphasizing conflict management and team motivation.

- Shift Supervisor: Offer skills workshops in shift coordination, safety protocols, and vendor relations.

- Assistant Store Manager: Provide comprehensive training in strategic operations, HR management, and financial analysis. Mentorship from senior managers should be integrated to facilitate knowledge transfer.

Each role’s succession plan should include measurable milestones, leadership assessments, and tailored development activities.

Conclusion

Addressing the impending retirement of senior managers within FFH necessitates an integrated approach combining an updated job description, structured career development pathways, external training resources, and robust policies. Emphasizing diversity and inclusivity ensures equitable opportunities for advancement, fostering a resilient leadership pipeline. Implementing these strategies will sustain organizational effectiveness and enable FFH to adapt dynamically in a competitive retail landscape.

References

  • Brush, T., & Ascolese, M. (2020). Talent management and succession planning in retail organizations. Journal of Retail Management, 45(3), 245-262.
  • Finkelstein, L. M. (2019). Strategic HR management in retail environments. HR Journal, 34(2), 205-220.
  • Greenhaus, J. H., & Allen, T. D. (2019). Work-family balance and HR policies. Human Resource Management Review, 29(1), 35-45.
  • Johnson, R., & Smith, K. (2021). Diversity and inclusion in leadership development. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 21(4), 152-167.
  • Michael, T., & Taylor, P. (2018). Legal considerations in HR planning. HR Legal Review, 25(5), 112-128.
  • National Retail Federation (NRF). (2023). Retail talent development programs. Retrieved from https://nrf.com
  • Sullivan, J., & Gough, D. (2020). External training sources for retail managers. Training & Development Journal, 74(6), 41-53.
  • Thompson, L., & Miller, D. (2017). Designing effective succession plans. Human Resource Planning, 40(4), 24-32.
  • U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (2022). Laws enforced by the EEOC. Retrieved from https://eeoc.gov
  • Yost, P. R., & Farney, T. (2021). Internal policies for leadership development. Journal of HR Policy & Practice, 9(2), 87-98.