Central Retail Operations and Communications Manager

Bury

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Head Office
March 16, 2026

 

 

 
   

 

Central Retail Operations and Communications Planner

Responsible to:

Associate Director of Retail Central Operations

Department:

Outdoors Retail Operations

Hours:

40 Hours, Monday–Friday

Location:

Bury HQ

Role Overview

The Central Operations Manager plays a key role within JD Outdoors, supporting the Central Operations team to deliver the division’s retail strategy through clear, simple, and effective store communication. This role ensures JD Outdoors stores operate efficiently by driving operational excellence, simplifying processes, and delivering high‑impact projects that improve the colleague and customer experience. You will lead a small team, oversee communication and operational processes, and support the seamless execution of change across the estate.

To be successful in this role, you will be a proactive, solutions‑focused operator who thrives in a fast‑paced retail environment. You’re passionate about improving ways of working, driving efficiency, and creating structure that supports store teams. Confident influencing at all levels, you build trust quickly, communicate with clarity, and collaborate naturally across functions. You’re comfortable leading teams, delivering projects, simplifying complexity, and introducing new technologies that drive meaningful value. Above all, you bring energy, curiosity, and a continuous‑improvement mindset to help JD Outdoors stay operationally strong and future‑ready.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Communication

  • Manage and develop the Operations and Communications team (3 colleagues).
  • Support the Communication & Planning Manager to coordinate and create regular, high‑quality communication for stores.
  • Maintain the store communication/task platform and monitor store usage and performance.
  • Facilitate weekly store and regional feedback processes.
  • Deliver key divisional events such as Conferences and Roadshows alongside the Communications Manager.

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

  • Continually review JD Outdoors store processes to identify issues and drive operational simplification.
  • Resolve day‑to‑day store‑raised issues to support continuous improvement.
  • Write, create, and maintain documentation for new and existing processes and procedures.
  • Maintain and monitor operational processes such as Ship from Store, Click & Collect, Trustpilot, ESL, and Vocovo.
  • Oversee weekly price change uploads and monthly campaign processes.
  • Maintain the JD Outdoors Activity Plan to ensure all store activity lands accurately and on time.

Project Delivery & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

  • Deliver new projects that generate store efficiencies in processes, staffing, and operations.
  • Work closely with Retail teams and Profit Protection to reduce loss and improve stock accuracy.
  • Support the Central Operations Associate Director and cross‑functional teams to deliver key business projects on time and within budget.
  • Represent the JD Outdoors division on wider Group projects.
  • Network with the JD Group Central Operations team to stay informed on business priorities, retail innovations, and new technologies.

Innovation, Technology & Cost Efficiency

  • Identify and deliver new revenue‑generating projects from concept through to implementation.
  • Introduce, implement, and monitor new retail technologies—both in‑house and third‑party—to drive efficiency and cost savings across JD Outdoors stores.
  • Build strong relationships with external suppliers to ensure value, quality, and operational impact.
  • Drive cost efficiencies across operational processes.
  • Ensure reporting and insight is available for Retail Operations, stores, and Regional Managers to measure success and track performance.

Skills, Experience & Knowledge Required

Technical

  • Strong proficiency in Office 365, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
  • Solid understanding of retail store systems, operational processes, and store procedures.
  • Experience implementing new retail technologies.

Leadership & Communication

  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with colleagues at all levels.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication; confident presenting to senior stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage upwards and influence effectively.

Organisation & Delivery

  • Highly organised with the ability to plan, prioritise, and manage multiple workloads simultaneously.
  • Proven ability to deliver under pressure and meet strict deadlines and budgets.
  • Problem‑solving mindset with a proactive approach to improvement.
  • Strong networking ability, both internally and externally.