At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of volunteers and manage daily operations in our charity shop.
- Company: Join Alongside, a charity dedicated to supporting those in need across the South and West of England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, staff discounts, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including weekends, with opportunities for training and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while gaining valuable retail experience and career development.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and a customer-focused attitude are essential.
Salary: £14,871 per year (full time equivalent £24,785)
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Bath, Shaftesbury Road
Additional information: Availability to work flexibly, including weekends.
About Alongside: Alongside is the new name for Julian House. We work with people experiencing social exclusion across the South and West of England, providing outreach, accommodation and support. Our clients may be sleeping rough, fleeing abuse, rebuilding after trauma, leaving prison, recovering from addiction, or trying to settle safely in a new community. Whatever their starting point, we work alongside people to help build safety, stability and independence.
About the Role: As an Assistant Manager, you’ll play a key role in the success of our charity shops, ensuring everything runs smoothly day to day. From leading and motivating our fantastic team of volunteers to managing stock and creating a warm, welcoming shopping experience, you’ll be right at the heart of our mission. If you’re passionate about retail, enjoy working with people, and want to make a real difference by helping us raise vital funds for a great cause, we’d love to hear from you!
Responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with the Shop Manager to meet and exceed income and profit targets by optimising sales, minimising operational costs, and continually seeking innovative ways to enhance the shop.
- Manage donations, including the sorting, pricing and preparation of items for sale and effectively disposing of unwanted items.
- Assisting in the recruitment, training and development of the volunteer team and ensuring the shop has a built-up volunteer base.
- Support the Shop Manager in administrative tasks, including cash handling and banking.
Please note: Job descriptions are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may occasionally be asked to take on other duties that align with the key responsibilities outlined.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Experience working within a retail setting.
- A proactive, customer-focused approach to work.
There are many great reasons to join our team!
- Access to our Rewards Platform, which includes an Employee Assistance Programme and Health Cash Plan.
- 27 days annual leave, including an extra day off for your birthday, plus bank holidays - increasing up to 30 days after 4 years of continuous employment (pro rata for part-time staff).
- 30% staff discount at our charity shops.
- A generous and competitive pension scheme.
- A supportive culture where staff feedback is highly valued and regular supervisions with line managers are conducted.
- Great opportunities for career development and free monthly training sessions from experienced facilitators.
- For all the fantastic and valuable work, you’ll be eligible for the Blue Light Card which offers amazing discounts on thousands of brands.
Our Ethos: As an Equal Opportunities employer, we have an Equality and Diversity Action plan in place showing our commitment in ensuring continuous improvement in creating an inclusive culture.
Assistant Retail Manager employer: Alongside
Alongside is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling role as an Assistant Retail Manager in Bath, where you can truly make a difference in the community. With a supportive culture that values staff feedback, generous annual leave, and opportunities for career development, you'll find a rewarding environment that prioritises your growth and well-being. Join us to enjoy competitive benefits, including a staff discount and access to our Rewards Platform, all while contributing to a meaningful cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Retail Manager
✨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 Alongside, 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 Alongside!
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 Alongside, 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 Alongside 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 Alongside that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alongside
✨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!
