About the role
Nottingham Trent Students’ Union is looking for a motivated, customer-focused Retail Supervisor to help deliver an outstanding retail experience across our busy campus outlets, including our flagship SPAR store. In this hands-on role you’ll support the day-to-day running of our retail spaces, leading by example to provide exceptional service to our diverse student community.
You’ll supervise and motivate a team of student staff, ensuring high standards in customer experience, merchandising, stock control, and health & safety. From coordinating shifts and training team members to driving sales initiatives and maintaining a welcoming environment, you’ll play a key role in creating a retail offer that meets students’ needs.
- Job purpose: support the retail management team to ensure the correct, efficient and profitable operation of all NTSU retail outlets, including the management and training of casual student staff.
- Working pattern: 37.5 hours/week, working 5 days out of 7, 52 weeks per year; mainly based at Clifton Campus, working across all NTU campuses as needed.
- Reports to: Assistant Retail Manager. Supervisory responsibility: student staff.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll lead a team of student staff and run the day-to-day shop floor — covering service, stock, cash, EPoS, merchandising, licensing and health & safety.
- Lead, recruit, induct and train a team of casual student staff, completing rotas and timesheets accurately and on time.
- Train staff to the Union Shops standards and identify and act on training needs in existing staff.
- Make optimum use of working time — queue management, deploying staff, and keeping cleanliness, presentation and housekeeping on point during downtime.
- Keep all areas clean, appealing and in line with health & safety legislation.
- Operate the organisation’s standard opening and closing procedures.
- Brief and train the team on any new products or promotional activity.
- Run effective stock and financial procedures in line with NTSU policy and retail best practice.
- Order stock and check deliveries to company procedures, maintaining stock security and effective usage.
- Complete accurate, timely stock and cash-handling paperwork, including retrospective supplier incentive claims.
- Enter data on the EPoS system and analyse sales and other relevant information.
- Coordinate merchandising, marketing, point-of-sale and promotional activity for a clear, consistent message.
- Observe and enforce licensing laws as directed by the Designated Premises Supervisor to uphold the premises licence.
More responsibilities & standards
- Help ensure retail outlets meet environmental best practice.
- Identify and communicate process improvements to the retail management team.
- Complete monthly departmental finance requirements in line with legislation, policy and procedure.
- Attend and contribute to meetings and training events as required.
- Engage in sustainable practices, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions wherever possible.
- Give and receive constructive feedback and stay open to new ways of working.
- Portray a positive, professional image of NTSU at all times.
- Promote a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, upholding NTSU’s values.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone with strong communication and organisational skills, experience in retail or hospitality supervision, and a passion for delivering excellent service. You’ll be a proactive problem-solver, confident in leading a team, and keen to contribute ideas that enhance performance and customer satisfaction.
- Experience working in a busy retail environment.
- Stock control and ordering, including stocktaking and audit control.
- Compiling effective staff rotas and accurate completion of timesheets.
- Dealing with suppliers and working to budgets.
- Recruiting, leading and developing a team.
- Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
- Able to work well under pressure while maintaining excellent customer service.
- Self-motivated, able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- Excellent communication skills, able to liaise with a diverse team and customer base.
- Able to create and maintain systems to record legal compliance and best practice.
- Knowledge of health & safety legislation and the application of risk assessments.
- Demonstrates NTSU’s core organisational values.
Desirable (nice to have)
- Experience working in a multi-site operation and using/maintaining EPoS systems.
- Experience in a student-led, democratic environment and maintaining an online shop.
- Budget setting and management; attending NUS events/training; knowledge of the NUS supply process.
- Food hygiene qualification to CIEH Level 2 (or equivalent).
- A Personal Licence or relevant BII qualification, a leadership qualification, and/or First Aid at Work.
- Familiarity with sustainable practices and how to recycle properly on campus.
Why apply?
At NTSU you’ll join a values-driven organisation that puts students at the heart of everything we do — a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills and help shape student life at NTU. We also offer a range of benefits to support your professional and personal growth:
- 33 days paid holiday — new staff start with 20 days holiday, 8 bank holidays and 5 closure days.
- Time off in lieu (TOIL) for extra hours worked.
- 4–6% employer pension contribution.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Salary progression based on performance, with increases within the band.
- Travel pass loan and wage loan.
- Enhanced sick pay.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Enhanced parental leave — 3 weeks paid paternity, enhanced maternity and shared parental leave.
- Free annual flu jabs, plus free eye tests and a contribution towards glasses required for computer work.
How to apply
Please submit your application via the NTSU vacancies page. Applications close: 23:59 on 21 July 2026. Interviews expected: 30 July 2026.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
As an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident Employer, NTSU welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, disabled candidates and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We’re committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs.
Questions about the role?
Visit Careers at NTSU for the recruitment pack and application details.
