Department Manager - 20h (12 month secondment)

Role overview

As a Department Manager, you will help drive sales and profit by creating and executing a clear plan for your department. Your focus will be on delivering an excellent customer experience while keeping the department aligned with the store’s goals and standards. You will also build and lead a strong team, supporting their growth through succession planning, talent development, and structured performance management.

Key responsibilities

• Track sales and profit performance for your department on a regular basis and work with the Visual Merchandisers to take action that improves results.
• Make sure the department consistently meets H&M standards and use the Customer Experience Tool to follow up on service quality.
• Partner with the Visual Team to roll out the Commercial Handbook across the department.
• Review team performance, share feedback regularly, conduct performance development reviews, create development plans, and take appropriate steps to improve results and strengthen capability.
• Build and maintain a strong talent pipeline to support current and future business needs in the department and store.

What success in this role looks like

You should be a confident, positive, inclusive, and creative leader who enjoys spending time on the shop floor with both colleagues and customers. A strong commercial mindset, a coaching style of leadership, and the ability to turn plans into results are important. You should also be comfortable delegating tasks, supporting team development, and building positive relationships through clear and socially confident communication.

Requirements

• A customer-first approach.
• Experience reviewing commercial reports and turning insights into actions that increase sales.
• Strong organisation and the ability to prioritise multiple tasks in a fast-moving environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• The confidence to delegate, follow up, and give clear feedback to coach and develop others.
• Prior leadership experience in a similar role, with proven success in improving commercial KPIs and developing teams.

Additional information

This position is a part-time role of 20 hours per week and is offered as a 12-month secondment. The role is based in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand and is onsite.

Applications are accepted only through the company’s careers page, in line with data policy requirements. A start date was not specified.

Benefits

• Enjoy a 25% discount across H&M Group brands worldwide, including H&M, COS, Monki, Weekday, Arket, and & Other Stories.
• Access global career growth opportunities, with a strong focus on internal mobility and developing talent from within.
• Eligible team members can receive up to 26 weeks of company-paid parental leave.
• Use the online learning platform, wellbeing support through the Employee Assistance Program, and a Flare membership with exclusive discounts.

Inclusion and diversity

H&M Group is committed to building workplaces that are inclusive, diverse, and equitable. Different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds are valued because they help strengthen decision-making, improve how challenges are approached, and support better relationships with colleagues and customers. The recruitment process is designed to be fair and equal, and applicants are asked not to include a cover letter to help reduce unconscious bias.

About the company

H&M is a fashion brand known for current styles, designer collaborations, and affordable wardrobe essentials. Its business idea is to deliver fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way.