Cash and carry manager: Career development

Entrants begin by gaining experience in a range of roles and departments within the store. Initial progression may be from supervisor to assistant or department manager level, then to deputy manager and then general store manager. Managers are often recruited from within the business. Other advancement may involve taking up an assistant or department manager post in a larger store with greater responsibility in terms of staff and larger turnover.

Progression thereafter can depend upon your geographical mobility, your proven ability in the job and the availability of appropriate posts. Managers should be prepared to move to other areas of the country to achieve promotions.

The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) provides opportunities for networking to aid career development through its Leading Edge programme, which is free to join and open to all young and junior managers in the industry.

Opportunities outside the store include area manager and regional manager posts. In large organisations, there are head office management posts, for example, in sales, marketing and buying, and specialist areas such as IT and finance.

Other opportunities to widen the scope of work may also be available, for example, as a trainer, training store staff in new systems as they are introduced.

Some managers might use their experience to set up their own business.

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