At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Store Manager in delivering top-notch customer service and managing store operations.
- Company: Join Abri, a leading housing provider with a strong social mission.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and promotes personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for customer service and teamwork; retail experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 24750 - 30250 £ per year.
Octavia has stayed true to our social purpose for over 150 years, as we continue the pioneering work of our founder, Octavia Hill, in providing homes, support and care for people in central and west London. Now Octavia has become part of the Abri Group, we're undergoing an exciting period of change that will enable us to grow, do more and ensure those in Octavia homes receive the services they deserve while continuing to honour and build on Octavia Hill's legacy as the founder of the social housing movement.
A key part of ensuring Octavia's vital work in the community is sustainably funded is our retail operations and we're delighted to say a fantastic opportunity has become available for an Assistant Store Manager. Through our stores in prime London locations, we sell high quality donated goods. Our stores are instrumental in providing a sustainable source of income to support Octavia’s vital work in the community, and we need motivated, passionate and forward-thinking people to make this happen and be part of our ambitious plans.
As Assistant Store Manager, you will be supporting the Manager in delivering the highest quality of customer service to our customers and fantastic donors across our premium Central and West London locations (mainly based out of our store located at Wilton Road, SW1V 1DE). As well as supporting in areas such as increasing sales, stock management and training, you will be stepping up as Store Manager on a weekly basis, so this is a great opportunity for those seeking a new challenge.
Abri is a large housing provider who own and manage more than 58,000 homes and various community assets, serving around 113,000 customers across the South of England. We believe everyone has the right to a good quality safe, warm and sustainable home in a community where they can belong, grow and thrive.
What does that look like in real terms?
- We’re investing £689m over the next ten years in our existing homes to improve building safety and make them more energy efficient.
- We’re delivering 10,000 homes by 2030, ensuring affordable housing is built where it’s needed most.
- We’re investing in our communities, to address local issues and create opportunities for everyone.
- As we grow, we’re re-establishing our strong local presence to provide a really good service.
Abri has adopted a regional approach to service delivery, with our operating areas split into three, each with their local governance and leadership. This will ensure our colleagues are more visible, accountable and better connected to our customers and local communities to meet their diverse needs.
What you can expect:
- 28 days holiday + the opportunity to buy and sell holiday
- Generous pension scheme with contributions up to 10%
- Money off tons of high street and online retailers
- Life assurance of 5x your annual salary
- Generous parental and family leave
- Health and wellbeing packages
- Flexible working
- Free eye tests
- Cycle to Work scheme
About you: We’ve all got different backgrounds, strengths and experiences. But we share the same values. It’s these shared values that bring us together as one team. Our colleagues embrace these every day. Be the difference to our customers and colleagues, always curious and look for better solutions, achieve together by working in partnership with others, own it openly through working with others in an open and honest way, and finally embrace possibility and see changes and challenges as welcomed opportunities.
We also expect our colleagues to share Abri’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. If you share our values and want to make a real difference in the world, you’re on to a winner and we’d love to hear from you!
We’re committed to promoting an inclusive culture. We welcome and respect the individual differences, life experiences and knowledge that all our colleagues bring into the workplace, and we value their contribution to our amazing company. Everyone is different, everyone is unique.
We welcome applications from Abri customers and we provide an opportunity for applicants to let us know if they are a customer as part of the application process. When customers meet the essential criteria of the role, we will commit to interview at least two customers as part of our Customer Positive scheme.
We recognise the benefits flexible working can bring and we aim to support colleagues who need to work flexibly wherever we can, provided the needs of both Abri and the colleague can be met. Please feel free to let us know about any flexibility you might need when applying for this role. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise to consider it fully.
Assistant Store Manager - SW1V 1DE in North Kensington employer: Abri
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Store Manager - SW1V 1DE in North Kensington
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Abri, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Abri!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Store Manager - SW1V 1DE in North Kensington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Abri, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Abri and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Abri that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abri
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!