At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Store Manager in driving sales and ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Samsonite on Oxford Street.
- Benefits: Gain valuable retail experience with potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a fast-paced, customer-focused setting.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a vibrant store environment and lead a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Retail experience preferred; strong communication and leadership skills are essential.
Temporary Position: Assistant Store Manager, 40 hours per week (3-6 month contract)
Location: Samsonite Oxford Street Store, 285 Oxford Street, London, W1C 2DW
Availability: August / September 2026
This role is being offered on a fixed-term contract. We currently anticipate that the contract will last between 3 and 6 months, although there is a possibility that it may be extended further depending on business requirements.
Job Purpose
As an Assistant Store Manager at Samsonite, you support the Store Manager in driving operational excellence, team performance, and customer satisfaction. You play a key role in leading by example, creating a positive and inclusive work environment, and ensuring that Samsonite standards are consistently achieved. With a hands-on approach and a strong sense of accountability, you help guide the team toward achieving sales targets, delivering exceptional service, and maintaining a well-organized and visually appealing store. Your adaptability, leadership, and collaborative spirit make you a vital contributor to the store’s success and a role model to your team.
Major Accountabilities:
- Customer Service: Applies the Smiles selling standards with each customer. Apply every step of selling processes proposed by the Training Manager, maximizing every customer opportunity. Uses up-to-date technical product knowledge to generate sales, uses the company resources such as Quest to find information that would help with their customer service. Actively builds customer loyalty. Provides outstanding and inspiring service delights beyond customers’ expectations by going the extra mile. Reflects the values of the brand and demonstrates passion for the brand.
- Store Performance & Analysis: Has awareness of every communication and instruction sent to the store. Is aware of the store budget and targets and has a good understanding of KPI’s. Reports any information that can contribute to the success of the store.
- Stock Management: Assists in managing stock. Ensures correct pricing of products displayed on the shop floor. Minimize losses to achieve the company shrinkage target below 0.5%. Assists in inputting and planning all stock movement and coordinates with the central retail team.
- Human Resources Management: Assists in attracting and recruiting high caliber and talented staff. Assists in developing team spirit. Assists in training, coaching, motivating, developing and retaining staff. Assists in scheduling staff efficiently in compliance with the payroll budget using skills and specialties most appropriately in the best interest of the store. Completes the relevant forms in the event of staff lateness and while the manager is off. Performs return to work interviews.
- Operations: Is aware of and applies to each authorized company operational policy and procedure, paying special attention to additional responsibilities like cash and banking, opening and closing, till procedures, etc. Completes and maintains all required paperwork meeting the required deadlines. Maintains permanent store cleanliness, and an appearance to offer a customer friendly environment. Performs all reasonably relevant duties that are requested by the Store Manager. If applicable, observe specific local requirements relating to the trading environment. Actively participates and attends appropriate training as and when required. Help keep environmental policies in line with Green Mark.
- Merchandising, Marketing & Promotions: Maintain visual merchandising and window displays to Samsonite’s global standards. Stay informed about current promotions and marketing campaigns, help launch these campaigns and promotions on time and without delay.
- Communication: Communicates in a clear, polite, courteous and understandable manner and listens to others. Keeps informed about local and new market trends, shares this info and makes recommendations to the Store Manager. Complies with personnel dress code and grooming in line with company policy. Acts as an Ambassador of the Company and of the Company’s Brands.
Reporting Line: Reports directly to the Store Manager.
Skills Required:
- Ability to stand, bend, lift up to 15kg, and use ladders.
- Computer literacy, able to use Microsoft Office & Teams.
- Previous retail experience, preferably within a supervisory role (preferred).
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Sales-oriented mindset.
- Passion for travel and brand sensibility.
- Flexibility and adaptability.
Assistant Store Manager employer: Ask Athena
At Ask Athena, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values our team members' contributions and growth. Working at the Samsonite Store in Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks offers a vibrant work culture where you can thrive in a supportive environment, enjoy flexible hours, and benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that is passionate about delivering outstanding customer experiences in the travel goods sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Store Manager
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Ask Athena:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Ask Athena! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ask Athena
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Ask Athena offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Ask Athena and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
