Department Store General Manager Job

Job Description for Department Store General Manager Position

Job Duties

What Are the Responsibilities of a Department Store Manager?
Department store managers, often called general managers or store directors, make sure operations run in a smooth, orderly fashion. One of the primary duties of a department store general manager involves giving motivation and direction to store employees. Department store directors also perform extensive duties behind the scenes. Some administrative duties include financial analysis and store marketing. Many department stores operate as part of a chain and require managers to implement policies and procedures according to the corporate model. Paid training and on-the-job experience provide workers with the management skills necessary to run a department store.

Job Qualifications

What Are the Requirements for a Department Store Manager Job?
The best way to become a department store manager stems from retail management experience. Work experience helps when it comes to leading employees and solving problems. Department store manager jobs require extensive decision-making, and managers must be confident and possess the ability to make judgments for the best interest of the company. Equally important, department store managers need excellent customer service skills, since the success of the store depends on customers and the flow of business. Most department stores set the minimum age requirement for management jobs at 18 years old and insist applicants have at least a high school diploma for employment consideration.

Salary & Compensation

How Much Can a Department Store Manager Make?
The average starting pay for department store general managers in the United States stands between $15.00 and $25.00 an hour. On average, department store directors earn salaries of about $75,000 per year, or roughly $30.00 an hour. Factors like job location, employer, and work experience may contribute to differences in hourly wages or salary packages. Some of the highest paying areas for department store managers include Florida, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and the District of Columbia. States like Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and North Carolina also feature a high concentration of department store management jobs.

Employment Benefits

What Kinds of Job Benefits Can a Department Store Manager Earn?
Many department stores operate practically all day. As a result, stores need general managers to operate various shifts, including nights, weekends, and even holidays. Department stores usually offer store managers extensive job benefits. Typical employee benefits include store discounts, paid time off, comprehensive healthcare coverage, and 401(k) retirement plans.

Department Store Manager Salary Comparison

How Do Average Store Director Salaries Compare Between Department Stores?

	Average Salary Per Hour	Average Salary Per Year
Big Lots	$23.00	$58,000
Costco	$43.50	$109,000
Kmart	$27.50	$68,500
Kohl’s	$32.75	$82,000
Macy’s	$37.00	$92,500
Marshalls	$26.00	$65,000
Sam’s Club	$34.00	$85,000
Sears	$30.75	$77,000
Target	$43.75	$113,000
Walmart	$33.00	$85,000