Finding the Real Potential in Senior Retail Talent

Hiring for a senior retail role is a bit of a tricky thing, isn’t it? On the surface, it can look like a simple equation: find the CV that ticks all the boxes, matches the right brands, and showcases a solid track record. But in reality, that’s only the beginning. The real challenge lies in uncovering what doesn’t sit neatly on a page: the values, the leadership style, and the human qualities that will determine whether someone will actually thrive in your business.

Beyond the CV

Anyone can look good on paper, especially when you’re talking about people who’ve got bags of experience in retail. What really matters is what lies beneath the surface, the stuff you can’t write on a piece of paper. The qualities, the values, the personality that will make them the right fit for your business.

As a retail recruitment agency, we know this better than most – after all, we’ve spent over a decade helping some of the UK’s biggest brands find their next great leader. It’s a core part of what we do and something our team is passionate about. We’re not just matching keywords; we’re connecting people with opportunities that will help them and the business thrive. Our approach is to go deeper, to have those real, honest conversations that get to the heart of what someone is all about. It’s a bit of a different way of doing things, but it’s the only way to get it right.

The Problem with Paper

I think we all know what a good CV looks like. It’s got the right job titles, the right companies, and a list of achievements that sparkle. You’ll see things like “drove year-on-year growth”, “optimised operational efficiency”, or “managed multimillion-pound budgets”. And that’s all great, honestly, it is. But a CV is, by its very nature, a curated summary. It tells you what someone has done, but it doesn’t tell you how they did it, or more importantly, why.

It doesn’t tell you if they’re a good leader, a brilliant motivator, or someone who can handle a difficult situation with grace. It can’t show you their passion for retail or their vision for the future. The reality is, a senior role requires more than just a list of accomplishments. It needs a real, human connection, someone who will genuinely fit with your team and your company’s values. Cultural fit is a huge deal to us at Zachary Daniels, and we believe finding people who fit your organisation like a glove is a real skill. It’s about finding those perfect people, not just the ones who have the right experience.

Finding the Right Person for the Right Role

As retail recruiters, it’s our job to see past the impressive bullet points. And how do we do it? By really getting to know people. We spend a lot of time building relationships with candidates, getting to know them on a deeper level. We want to understand what makes them tick, what they’re truly proud of, and where they want to go next. We ask questions that reveal something insightful about the interviewee, moving away from cliches like “what’s your biggest weakness?”. Instead, we might ask them to describe a time they had to think on their feet or persuade a peer about a course of action. This is the stuff that gets you a genuine answer, not a rehearsed one.

We also put a great deal of effort into understanding our clients. We want to know what makes your business a fantastic place to work, what your team is like, and what your goals are. We get to grips with the specifics of the role, but also the more intangible aspects of the company culture. That means we can then act as an extension of your in-house team, representing your brand in a way that feels authentic and compelling. We take the time to figure out what it is that makes you different from others. When we have that full picture, we can find you someone who doesn’t just have the skills, but also has the character to thrive.

The Interview as a Conversation

Once we’ve identified a strong candidate, the interview process is just as important as the initial search. It’s not an interrogation; it’s an interview, and you want the candidate to leave feeling as though they’d be happy to work for your organisation. A relaxed, friendly atmosphere helps to put them at ease and gives them the best chance of showing you what they’re capable of. It’s about building rapport from the outset, and that starts with a bit of a soft opening.

That’s why we always advise our clients to keep the language informal, smile, and make regular eye contact. Start with an icebreaker to help them settle in and explain what the interview will entail. It’s about making them feel comfortable and respected. We’ll help you manage the process so that it runs smoothly and professionally from start to finish. We can also help you with the prep, making sure you know the details of the job, and that you’ve done your homework on them, too. This level of preparation shows a candidate that you value their time and that you’re a serious, organised brand that they should actively want to work for.

The Power of a Specialist

At Zachary Daniels, we don’t believe in sending over a stack of CVs and hoping for the best. As an employee-owned business, our success depends on finding the right people for the right roles. Our recruiters are invested in building long-term partnerships, which means we’re constantly talking to top talent, often before they’ve even started actively looking.

Because we specialise in retail, we know the industry, the challenges, and the opportunities inside out. From senior leadership to niche operational roles, we understand what different businesses need and where to find the people who can deliver it. Whether it’s supporting a discreet executive search, managing high-volume recruitment, or tackling those hard-to-fill roles, we adapt to what you need. We hire for a wide range of roles, from retail ops to supply chain, and even hospitality and security. This means we can find you the right person, whether you’re looking for a new CFO or your next Assistant Store Manager.

It’s this level of insight and dedication that makes all the difference. We know where the talent is, and we know how to engage with them. We can support your mass recruitment exercises, taking them to the shortlist stage so you can remain anonymous, or we can find those really hard-to-fill jobs. Whatever you need, we’re the recruiters you need us to be. We’re a team that believes in the power of people and the importance of a great fit. If you would like to know more about us and our approach, you can have a look at our projects here.

Let’s talk

If you’re a candidate ready for your next big move, talk to us. We’d love to explore how we can help you take the next step in your career. For businesses, our executive search services are designed to go beyond the CV and connect you with senior talent that fits your culture as well as your needs.

Ultimately, we think our approach speaks for itself, and we’re proud of the work we do. It’s all about people, and that’s something we’re pretty good at.