At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our first-ever retail store in London and create an unforgettable shopping experience.
- Company: Join Ask & Embla, a vibrant alternative jewelry brand with a global community.
- Benefits: Be part of a creative team, enjoy growth opportunities, and make your mark.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on creativity and self-expression.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a brand while connecting with a passionate community.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in retail management, a love for alternative culture, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
If you know Ask & Embla, you already know why this is exciting. If you don't, this might be the role that changes that. We are going physical. Our first-ever retail store is opening in London, and we are looking for the person who will bring it to life. This is a chance to be part of something that does not exist yet, to build it from scratch, and to leave your mark on a brand that already has a global community waiting for it.
The Role
Ask & Embla is an alternative jewelry brand born from punk, goth, and music subcultures, with a collective following of over 850,000 and a deeply loyal global community. We are opening our first physical retail store in London and we are looking for a Retail Store Manager who can build something extraordinary. We need someone who gets the brand instinctively, someone who is fashion-forward, culturally plugged in, and ideally loves our jewelry. If you have a commitment to excellence, the operational muscle to run a store, and you genuinely resonate with who Ask & Embla is and what we stand for, we want to hear from you.
What You'll Do
- Store Operations and Performance
- Oversee daily store operations, ensuring smooth opening, closing, and in-store workflows
- Own store sales performance, revenue targets, and key retail KPIs
- Monitor inventory levels, stock movement, and replenishment needs in coordination with internal teams
- Ensure store standards are consistently met across cleanliness, merchandising, and customer flow
- Identify operational gaps and implement improvements to increase efficiency and reduce friction
- Customer Experience
- Deliver a high-quality, on-brand customer experience that reflects our values and aesthetic
- Train the team to provide confident, knowledgeable, and respectful service
- Handle customer feedback, escalations, and edge cases with professionalism and empathy
- Create an in-store environment where customers feel comfortable, understood, and excited to return
- Team Leadership and Development
- Recruit, onboard, train, and manage store staff
- Set clear expectations around service standards, performance, and accountability
- Build team schedules that balance business needs, peak hours, and staff wellbeing
- Coach and develop team members through regular feedback and hands-on leadership
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing store culture
- Visual Merchandising and Brand Execution
- Ensure visual merchandising reflects brand standards and seasonal priorities
- Maintain strong product presentation, layout, and visual storytelling in-store
- Work with internal teams to support store launches, activations, and campaign rollouts
- Provide feedback on how products and displays perform in a physical environment
- Reporting and Communication
- Track and report on sales performance, foot traffic, conversion, and other key metrics
- Share insights from the store floor to inform product, marketing, and operations decisions
- Maintain clear documentation for store procedures, policies, and workflows
- Act as the main point of contact between the store and internal stakeholders
- Store Launch and Growth
- Support pre-opening setup including staffing, training, processes, and operational readiness
- Help define and refine store systems as the business grows
- Contribute ideas for in-store activations, community moments, and experiential retail concepts
Who You Are
- 3 to 5 years of retail management experience, ideally in fashion, lifestyle, jewelry, or alternative culture brands
- Proven track record of building and leading high-performing store teams
- Fashion-forward with a strong personal aesthetic and a genuine feel for alternative, subculture, and lifestyle brands
- Knows Ask & Embla, ideally as a customer or long-time follower, or has genuine resonance with Ask & Embla, with a clear understanding of the aesthetic, values, and audience.
- Can represent the brand authentically on the floor, not just professionally but personally
- Strong commercial instinct, you understand what drives sales and know how to act on it
- Operationally sharp, comfortable managing stock, rosters, reporting, and everything in between
- Proactive and self-directed, you do not wait to be told what to do and you bring solutions, not problems
- Passionate about customer experience and the details that make it exceptional
- Comfortable working with a remote global team across different time zones
- Based in London or willing to relocate
About Ask & Embla
Ask & Embla is a rapidly growing jewelry brand born from alternative subcultures shaped by punk, goth, and music movements. We're based in Singapore, with a collective following of more than 850,000 across our social media channels. Our growth continues with the launch of Ambi, our piercing-focused jewelry brand, which carries the same spirit of self-expression as Ask & Embla.
As e-commerce brands, we ship internationally to a diverse customer base, and we are proud to be one of the leading brands worldwide in the alternative jewelry space. We’re passionate about creating a company that brings out the best in everyone, where individuals love to work and grow as a team. That means constantly learning, building new things, staying flexible about how and where we work, and empowering each other to do the proudest work of our lives.
Ready to Join Us? If you're a results-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply!
Store Manager employer: Ask & Embla
Ask & Embla is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our first physical retail store in London. With a vibrant work culture rooted in alternative subcultures, we prioritise employee growth and creativity, empowering our team to build something extraordinary from the ground up. Join us to be part of a passionate community that values self-expression and fosters a supportive environment for personal and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Store 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 Ask & Embla, 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 Ask & Embla!
We think you need these skills to ace Store Manager
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 Ask & Embla, 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 Ask & Embla 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 Ask & Embla that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ask & Embla
✨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!