At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily store operations and lead a passionate team in delivering exceptional customer service.
- Company: Borough Kitchen, a leading cook shop for home chefs with a focus on quality and design.
- Benefits: Enjoy industry-leading discounts, complimentary Cook School classes, and access to wellness resources.
- Other info: Flexible hours, inclusive environment, and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team that values craftsmanship and helps customers cook with confidence.
- Qualifications: 2+ years of retail experience with leadership skills and a passion for cooking.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Location: Upper Street, London N1 1QP
Hours: Full-time (40 hours), Mon‑Sun 10:00‑18:00, including weekends and bank holidays.
About Borough Kitchen
Borough Kitchen is a leading cook shop for passionate home chefs, offering everything needed for cooking and entertaining – from the kitchen to the table. We carefully curate exceptional cookware, tableware, and kitchen essentials, each selected for its quality, functionality, and timeless design. With five stores across London, a thriving e‑commerce platform, and a successful cook school, we are dedicated to helping our customers cook with confidence and enjoyment. Our shops and classes are welcoming spaces for food lovers who value craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the pleasure of sharing good food.
The Role
As the Assistant Store Manager at our Islington store, you will play a key role in supporting the Store Manager with the day‑to‑day operations of the shop. You will help to lead, motivate, and develop the team, ensuring the store runs smoothly and meets its sales targets. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with retail and team leadership experience who is passionate about cooking, design, and delivering outstanding customer service.
Responsibilities
- Support the Store Manager in overseeing daily store operations and achieving sales and performance goals.
- Lead by example, delivering exceptional service and product knowledge to every customer.
- Supervise, train, and motivate the store team, conducting performance reviews and providing constructive feedback.
- Oversee inventory management, including daily and weekly stock checks to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Maintain high standards of visual merchandising and store presentation.
- Assist in developing and implementing sales strategies to drive growth and enhance customer engagement.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team environment that promotes communication and teamwork.
- Ensure the store is consistently clean, tidy, and well‑organised.
- Handle customer queries and complaints with professionalism and care.
- Take ownership of delegated tasks and act as the Store Manager’s deputy when required.
Requirements
- A minimum of 2 years’ retail experience, with management or supervisory responsibility – A must.
- Experience in ordering, receiving, and managing stock, with attention to detail and accuracy.
- A genuine passion for cooking and a strong knowledge of kitchen products and trends.
- Proven experience in visual merchandising and maintaining high store standards.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
- Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Flexibility to work weekends, bank holidays, and varying shifts as required.
- Proven ability to achieve and exceed sales targets.
Benefits
- Be part of a passionate and knowledgeable team that values quality and craftsmanship.
- Industry‑leading discount programme on products for our employees.
- Complimentary Cook School classes.
- Company events.
- Access to an employee assistance programme, which includes free counselling sessions, financial and legal advice, and discounts and cash‑back offers across 1,200+ brands, plus a wide range of health and wellbeing resources.
Borough Kitchen is proud to be both an Equal Opportunities Employer and a London Living Wage Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Assistant Store Manager - Islington employer: Borough Kitchen
Borough Kitchen is an excellent employer that fosters a supportive and dynamic work culture, perfect for those looking to thrive in the retail sector. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, we offer comprehensive training and career advancement opportunities, all while being part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering exceptional service. Located in a vibrant area, our workplace promotes collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal environment for motivated individuals to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Store Manager - Islington
✨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 Borough Kitchen, 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 Borough Kitchen!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Store Manager - Islington
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 Borough Kitchen, 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 Borough Kitchen 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 Borough Kitchen that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough Kitchen
✨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!