What Does a Front End Manager Do?

Front end managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of their company’s front end. This includes managing employees, scheduling shifts, and ensuring that customers have a positive experience when they visit the store.

Front end managers may also be tasked with developing new ways to improve customer service or increase sales. They commonly work closely with other managers in the organization to develop strategies that will help them achieve these goals.

Front End Manager Job Duties

A front end manager typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Providing training to new employees on company policies and procedures
• Assigning tasks to back end staff such as scheduling employees for shifts, updating payroll information, and providing training materials
• Monitoring employee performance to ensure that they are performing their responsibilities in a satisfactory manner
• Managing the store’s operations including inventory levels of products, employee schedules, and customer satisfaction
• Overseeing all front end operations including cash handling, register reconciliation, and customer service
• Training new employees in the duties and responsibilities associated with their position within the company
• Scheduling work shifts and monitoring productivity to ensure that deadlines are met
• Ensuring that all cash transactions are processed accurately and efficiently by following established procedures
• Ensuring that merchandise is properly displayed and that prices are clearly visible to customers

Front End Manager Salary & Outlook

Front end managers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses or commissions.

• Median Annual Salary: $49,500 ($23.8/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $80,500 ($38.7/hour)

The employment of front end managers is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Employment growth will be driven by the continued expansion and modernization of retail establishments. As more customers shop online, retail establishments will need to provide a good customer experience in-store. In addition, as e-commerce becomes more popular, retail establishments will need to offer convenient pickup options for online orders.

Related: Front End Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Front End Manager Job Requirements

A front end manager typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field is often a requirement to become a front end manager. Some employers may prefer or even require a degree in retail or business. Relevant coursework includes merchandising, business management, accounting, marketing and sales.

Training & Experience: Front end managers typically receive on-the-job training in their role. This training may include learning the store’s specific policies and procedures, as well as the software and technology they use. Front end managers may also receive training in customer service and merchandising.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications can prove an employee’s qualifications to future employers. Front end managers can earn certifications to gain more practical knowledge of their daily responsibilities, test their professional skills and further advance their career.

Front End Manager Skills

Front end managers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Front-end managers often communicate with customers, coworkers and other managers. Effective communication is key to ensuring that everyone understands each other and that the business is operating smoothly. You can use communication skills to train employees, resolve customer issues and provide feedback to your team.

Leadership: Front-end managers often have leadership skills that allow them to motivate and inspire their teams. You can use your leadership skills to help your team work together and achieve common goals. You can also use leadership skills to guide your team through challenges and help them develop their skills.

Problem-solving: Front-end managers are responsible for ensuring that their team meets its goals. This may mean that you need to solve problems that arise during the workday. For example, if a customer is unsatisfied with their experience at the store, you may need to step in and resolve the issue. You can use your problem-solving skills to identify the issue and find a solution.

Time management: As a front end manager, you may be responsible for overseeing the schedules of your team members. This can include assigning tasks to employees, ensuring they complete their work on time and providing them with the resources they need to complete their work. Effective time management can help you ensure your team is productive and that you meet the store’s production goals.

Teamwork: Front-end managers often work with a team of employees, including other managers, to ensure the success of a business. Effective front-end managers are able to work with others to find solutions to problems and motivate their team to work together.

Front End Manager Work Environment

Front end managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a retail store’s front end, which includes the sales floor, cashiers, and customer service. They typically work regular daytime hours, although they may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet the needs of the store. Front end managers are often under pressure to meet sales goals and to keep the store running smoothly and efficiently. They must be able to handle customer complaints and resolve conflicts among employees.

Front End Manager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how front end managers work. Front end managers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of Digital Commerce

The growth of digital commerce is changing the way that businesses operate. As more and more people shop online, businesses need to have a strong presence on the web in order to stay competitive.

This trend is creating opportunities for front end managers who are skilled in developing user-friendly websites that are easy to navigate. By understanding how to create a great customer experience, front end managers can help businesses to succeed in the digital age.

AI Will Be Used to Automate Tasks

As artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to develop, it will be used to automate tasks that are currently done by humans. This includes tasks such as data entry, product testing, and customer service.

Front end managers will need to learn how to work with AI in order to ensure that it is being used effectively to automate tasks. They will also need to be able to manage and train AI assistants so that they can perform tasks more efficiently.

More Focus on User Experience

User experience (UX) has become an increasingly important focus for businesses in recent years. This is because customers are becoming more and more demanding, and they are looking for products and services that provide a positive user experience.

As front end managers, you can capitalize on this trend by focusing on creating a great user experience for your customers. This means paying attention to details like design, usability, and content.

How to Become a Front End Manager

A front end manager career can be a great way to start your career in the design industry. As a front end manager, you’ll be responsible for managing and leading a team of designers. This role requires strong communication skills, as well as an understanding of both design and business.

To become a front end manager, it’s important to have experience working in a design studio or agency. You should also have a solid understanding of web design and development processes. Additionally, it’s helpful to have knowledge of coding languages such as HTML and CSS.

Advancement Prospects

The front end manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the front end of the store. They are in charge of the cashiers and making sure that the customers are being helped in a timely manner.

The front end manager is also responsible for making sure that the store is clean and presentable for the customers. They may also be responsible for stocking the shelves and making sure that the products are rotated.

The front end manager may also be responsible for training new employees. They will teach the new employees how to properly operate the cash register, how to bag the merchandise, and how to deal with customer service issues.

The front end manager will report to the store manager. The store manager will give the front end manager their daily tasks and goals. The front end manager will be responsible for making sure that these tasks and goals are met.

The front end manager may be promoted to store manager if there is an opening. The store manager is responsible for the overall operation of the store. They will be in charge of the front end, the back end, the sales floor, and the stock room.

Front End Manager Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide our customers with an exceptional shopping experience by offering a wide variety of high-quality merchandise at competitive prices. We are looking for a Front End Manager to lead and motivate our team of sales associates to provide excellent customer service and achieve sales goals. The ideal candidate will have experience managing a team of sales associates, as well as experience in customer service, sales, and merchandising. He or she will be responsible for training and coaching sales associates, as well as for creating and implementing sales and marketing strategies.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Achieve operational objectives by contributing information and recommendations to strategic plans and reviews; preparing and completing action plans; implementing production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards; resolving problems; completing audits; identifying trends; determining system improvements; implementing change
• Meet front-end financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions
• Maintain safe, secure, and healthy work environment by establishing, following, and enforcing sanitation standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations; maintaining security systems
• Maximize the team’s performance by coaching, mentoring, and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers are satisfied with their purchases
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure efficient operation of the front-end
• Resolve customer complaints in a professional and timely manner
• Ensure that all front-end staff members are properly trained and have the necessary resources to perform their jobs
• Schedule and assign shifts to front-end staff members
• Stay up-to-date on changes in the retail industry and adapt accordingly
• Perform regular inventory checks and order merchandise as needed
• Keep abreast of new products and services and promote them to customers

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Proven experience as front end manager or similar role
• Experience with customer service, sales, and marketing
• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Organizational and time management skills
• High school diploma or equivalent; college degree preferred

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Previous experience in the food and beverage industry
• ServSafe certification
• First Aid/CPR certification
• Working knowledge of POS systems
• Bilingual