Cash and carry manager: Entry requirements

Although this area of work is open to all graduates and Diplomates, the following subjects may increase your chances:

business/management;
supply chain management;
accounting/finance.

Whilst academic qualifications are useful, employers tend to focus more on individuals having the right mix of personal skills, previous experience in a retailing or wholesale environment and, to a lesser extent, business awareness.

Entry without a degree or HND is common, but education to A-level can give a clear advantage.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not needed.

Pre-entry experience is desirable. Vacation or part-time work in a wholesale or retail position is useful evidence of relevant skills and motivation.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

good planning and organisational skills;
the ability to think on your feet, make good decisions and stand by them;
common sense and the ability to think logically;
commercial skills and analysis;
ability to build professional relationships with the client base;
good leadership skills;
motivation and being self-driven;
communication and negotiation skills;
adaptability and a willingness to help out in order to get the job done - the nature of the business means that managers at all levels within the store must be prepared to ‘roll-up their sleeves’ and help out with manual tasks;
some business awareness and the ability to interpret data presented numerically, for example, stock and sales figures.

Many wholesalers recruit from existing staff for managerial positions. Applicants for posts can also include those with experience of retail management at a similar level.

Those with relevant experience may be considered for direct entry into management posts.

It is illegal for employers to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or religious faith. For more information on equality and diversity in the job market see handling discrimination.

For more information see work experience and find courses and research.

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