Stephen General Store Manager

I joined Asda because of its strong reputation for putting customers at the heart of everything it does and its commitment to creating opportunities for colleagues to grow. What keeps me here is the people. Every day brings new challenges, and I enjoy working with talented teams who are passionate about delivering for our customers. There is a real sense of pride in what we achieve together, and that's something that continues to motivate me.

My career with Asda has been a fantastic journey of development and progression. I started as a Night Manager, where I learned the importance of delivering operational excellence and leading teams in a fast-paced environment. From there, I progressed into a Fresh Food Manager role, gaining valuable experience in one of the most critical areas of the business and developing my understanding of customer needs and commercial operations.I then moved into a Deputy Store Manager position, which gave me the opportunity to broaden my leadership skills, support larger teams and take greater responsibility for overall store performance. Today, I am proud to be a Store Manager, leading a diverse team and helping to deliver great results for both colleagues and customers. Looking back, each role has helped shape my leadership style and provided opportunities to learn, grow and develop within the business.

My career with Asda has been a fantastic journey of development and progression. I started as a Night Manager, where I learned the importance of delivering operational excellence and leading teams in a fast-paced environment. From there, I progressed into a Fresh Food Manager role, gaining valuable experience in one of the most critical areas of the business and developing my understanding of customer needs and commercial operations.I then moved into a Deputy Store Manager position, which gave me the opportunity to broaden my leadership skills, support larger teams and take greater responsibility for overall store performance. Today, I am proud to be a Store Manager, leading a diverse team and helping to deliver great results for both colleagues and customers. Looking back, each role has helped shape my leadership style and provided opportunities to learn, grow and develop within the business.

Asda has always encouraged me to develop both personally and professionally. I've benefited from working alongside experienced leaders who have provided guidance, support and opportunities to stretch myself. The business invests in developing colleagues and encourages people to take ownership of their careers, which has helped me build confidence and progress into leadership roles.

One of my proudest achievements has been the progression I've made throughout my career, moving from Night Manager to Fresh Food Manager, then Deputy Store Manager and ultimately into a Store Manager role. Each step has brought new challenges and opportunities, and I'm proud of what I've achieved through hard work, learning and determination.A particular standout moment was leading my team at Stowmarket during the COVID-19 pandemic while also managing a major store refit. It was an incredibly challenging period, balancing the safety and wellbeing of colleagues and customers, maintaining high operational standards, and delivering a significant transformation of the store. What made me most proud was the way the team came together, supported one another and continued to serve our community when it mattered most.Alongside that, some of my most rewarding moments have been seeing colleagues I've coached and developed progress in their own careers. Helping people build confidence, gain new skills and achieve promotions is something that gives me a huge sense of pride and remains one of the most fulfilling parts of my role.

Successful retail leaders need strong communication skills, resilience and the ability to make decisions in a fast-paced environment. Building relationships, coaching teams and adapting to change are equally important. Above all, you need to be customer-focused and able to inspire colleagues to deliver great service every day.

Be prepared to embrace every opportunity to learn. Retail is a dynamic environment where no two days are the same, so flexibility and a positive attitude will take you a long way. Focus on developing your people skills, building strong relationships and putting customers first. If you're willing to work hard and support your team, there are fantastic opportunities to build a rewarding career at Asda.

Great leadership is about setting a clear direction, supporting your team and leading by example. It's about creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, trusted and empowered to do their best work. A great leader listens, communicates openly, celebrates success and helps others develop their skills and confidence.