At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations and inspire a team in our vibrant King's Lynn shop.
- Company: Join Big C, a leading cancer charity making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours with a focus on work-life balance and personal wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make an impact while gaining valuable retail experience in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and a passion for community engagement are essential.
The predicted salary is between 9360 - 9386 £ per year.
Hours: 14 hours per week over 2 days including weekend and bank holiday working as required.
Salary: £9,360 to £9,386.80 per annum (£23,400 to £23,675 full time equivalent).
Contract: Permanent
Location: Big C King’s Lynn Shop
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in the success of our King’s Lynn shop, which offers a diverse range of products including clothing, bric-a-brac, furniture, and bridal wear. You’ll support the delivery of strong retail sales and help maximise profit, while ensuring an exceptional experience for every customer who walks through the door. With a focus on leading and inspiring a team of staff and volunteers, you’ll also help manage resources and budgets to keep the shop running smoothly and successfully.
About the role
If you have retail experience, enjoy leading a busy, growing team, and want to make a real impact in your local community, this could be the perfect opportunity. Our King’s Lynn shop is one of our largest stores, located right in the heart of the town, and plays a vital role in supporting our work. With a strong and expanding team of staff and volunteers, this is a brand new role created to support the continued growth and success of the shop. As Assistant Shop Manager, you’ll help shape the future of the store, develop and inspire the team, and ensure we make the most of every donation while delivering a welcoming, high-quality experience for customers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Taking the lead in the day-to-day running and ongoing development of the shop when deputising for the Shop Manager.
- Maximising the value of donated items by overseeing effective sorting, eye-catching displays, and regular stock rotation.
- Supporting the Shop Manager to meet income targets, while driving high retail standards through strong leadership and team motivation.
- Assisting with the recruitment, induction, training, and ongoing support of staff and volunteers – helping everyone to thrive.
- Actively encouraging local donations to keep the shop well-stocked with quality items.
- Helping to coordinate furniture collections and deliveries to ensure a smooth customer experience.
About Big C
Big C is one of East Anglia’s largest cancer charities, having raised £50 million in 45 years. Each year, our supporters help us raise around £3 million to support people affected by cancer in our community. We provide holistic care through Cancer Support Centres and Hubs, as well as online and telephone support via our Virtual Support Centre. Income comes from donations, local businesses, grants, legacies, and 11 charity shops across the region. Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Big C was recently awarded Gold Accreditation in the Best Employers Eastern Region 2025 and offers a supportive environment that values wellbeing and work/life balance.
Why Big C?
We’re proud to be a Best Employer (Gold, Eastern Region 2025) and offer a supportive, inclusive working environment that values wellbeing, development, and work-life balance. Our benefits include:
- 33 days holiday (FTE, including bank holidays)
- 5% employer pension contribution
- Company sick pay and life assurance
- Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Opportunities for professional development
If you share these values and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Big C are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, young adults and children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a barred list check.
Closing date for applications: 29 May 2026 however please note that this vacancy may close earlier once sufficient applications received. Interviews will take place as soon as possible.
Assistant Shop Manager, King's Lynn employer: Big C Cancer Charity
Big C is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Wymondham, where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by cancer. With a strong focus on employee well-being, generous benefits including 33 days of holiday and a 5% pension contribution, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, you'll thrive in a culture that values respect, empathy, and teamwork. Join us in leading our unique Furniture & Craft Emporium and be part of a dedicated team that truly makes a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager, King's Lynn
✨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 Big C Cancer Charity, 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 Big C Cancer Charity!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shop Manager, King's Lynn
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 Big C Cancer Charity, 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 Big C Cancer Charity 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 Big C Cancer Charity that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Big C Cancer Charity
✨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!
