MEET THE TEAM
James
Career Snapshot
Retail has been my career for over 30 years, and no two days are ever the same. After spending 14 years with Dick Smith Electronics in a variety of roles, I joined Warehouse Stationery 12 years ago as an Assistant Manager. Since then, I've continued to grow my career and was proud to take on the Store Manager role in December 2022.
Day in the Life
A day in the life as a Store Manager is pretty full on! Each day starts by making sure the team know how the previous day went & what we are targeting for the day ahead. Most of the day is then spent on the floor making sure the team are available to our customers while also giving support & follow up where needed.
We also need to make sure admin tasks are taken care of and are constantly collaborating with other store managers around the country helping with queries and issues they may be facing.
What is your favourite part of your job?
The best part of the role is the variety of interactions you have everyday, whether it's with customers, your own team, other TWG teams, suppliers or reps. No two days are the same. Some days are great, while others can be challenging but it's about staying positive, having fun and not letting the difficult moments get to you.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do?
Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Challenge yourself and be willing to step outside your comforrt zone. Ask questions, stay curious and believe in yourself. Most importantly, don't be afraid to challenge the way things are done and share your ideas. You won't always be right, but being open to feedback and different perspectives can help you learn, grow and discover better ways of doing things.
Why do you love working with The Warehouse Group?
One of the things I'm most proud of is being part of a NZ company that genuinely cares about our people, our communities and our country. Whether it's supporting local initiatives, focusing on sustainability or investing in the development of our people, it feels good to be part of a business that wants to make a positive difference.
What have you enjoyed most about the Evolve Programme.
Evolve really pushed me out of my comfort zone & gave me some really valuable tools to take back to store to help grow and develop my team and myself. I really enjoyed being able to interact with other leaders from across the business and see all the common things we faced and how we could use what we have learnt to overcome these.
What is your favourite TWG benefit?
Our team discount is great but what stands out to me is the range of other internal & external benefits available to us. Many companies offer a staff discount but having access to so many additional benefits shows that TWG genuinely cares about and invests in its people.
