Decathlon
Retail Management Graduate Programme
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International. Sports enthusiasts. Collaborative team members. Stronger together through our driving force to move people through the wonders of sports.
At Decathlon UK, we offer Careers That Let You Play. As part of the DECATHLON Group, one of the world's largest sports retailers headquartered in France, we specialise in creating sports products and distributing them through online and physical stores across 56 countries with over 1,700 locations. With over 40+ stores in the UK, our mission is to be the spirited cheerleaders of sports and healthier living in the nation!
Program Structure
As a Decathlon Graduate Trainee, you'll be at the heart of our dynamic team, bringing energy, and enthusiasm, and igniting a love for sports through every customer interaction.
You'll really make a difference every step of the way, influencing your team, your customers, and where the future of sport is heading. Get ready for a challenging, super fast-paced experience with a steep learning curve—this programme is designed for people who are always looking to grow.
From Month 1 to 3: Mastering the foundations
Upon crossing the starting line, you will begin as a Decathlon Sport Advisor to learn about Decathlon through a deeper lens and understand the fundamentals of the Company such as our values, culture, and overall strategy.
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You’ll Master
- Our Culture: You will learn our company values and purpose, followed by a comprehensive introduction to your store.
- Customer Excellence: Engaging with our community on the shop floor.
- Operational Standards: Deliveries, stock management, and layout optimisation.
At Decathlon, we believe that the greatest leaders are doers and so the mastery of the fundamentals will be integral in your success within the project!
From Month 4: Stepping into Management.
Once you’ve mastered the shop floor’s rhythm, you’ll step up as Duty Manager while beginning your introduction to Department Management. Here, your focus expands from your specific department to the entire store ecosystem.
As Duty Manager, you are the "Captain of the Shift," responsible for:
- Safety & Security: Ensuring a safe environment for every teammate and customer; acting as the first point of call for emergencies.
- The Customer Pulse: Managing store flow and ensuring our signature "Gilet Behavior" is consistent from entrance to checkout.
- Live Decision-Making: Making the "game-time" calls—shifting resources in real-time to keep the store performing at its peak.
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You will also begin your transition into Department Management by learning:
- Talent & Culture: How to recruit, onboard, and motivate your own team.
- Commercial Dynamism: An introduction to P&L management, economic analysis, and sales drivers.
From month 6: Your journey to becoming a Department Manager
Responsibilities
Now that you’ve mastered the playground, you’ll begin your transition into Department Management. This stage is where you move from supporting a team to owning a business perimeter. Your responsibilities include:
- Commercial Dynamism: Managing your P&L, analysing economic performance, and driving sales growth.
- Strategic Planning: Crafting long-term missions for your department and mapping
- Human Capital: recruiting and developing your teammates into the leaders of tomorrow.
- Layout Mastery: Optimising your sales floor to create an immersive, high-performance shopping experience.
From teammate to business driver—this is where your leadership comes to life. You’ll learn to balance human management with commercial results.
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