At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Shop Manager in daily operations and create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.
- Company: Join Brandon, a charity making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, wellness support, generous leave, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours with weekend and bank holiday shifts required.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact while working in a friendly retail environment.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 10.8 - 13.2 £ per hour.
This is a full-time retail position working on a rota basis. The successful candidate will be required to work weekends and bank holidays as part of the shop's operating hours, so flexibility is essential.
At Brandon, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a life they choose. Our charity shops play an important role in raising funds that support people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live independently and enjoy richer, more fulfilling lives. We're looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Shop Manager to join our friendly team in Plympton. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys retail, values great customer service, and wants their work to make a real difference.
About the role
As Assistant Shop Manager, you'll work alongside the Shop Manager to help deliver a successful, welcoming and well-presented store. You'll support the day-to-day running of the shop, maximise sales and donations, and help create a positive experience for customers, volunteers and supporters. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll have the opportunity to build relationships within the local community while helping raise vital funds that support Brandon's work.
What you'll be doing
- Supporting the Shop Manager with the daily operation of the store.
- Delivering excellent customer service and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
- Maintaining high visual merchandising and housekeeping standards.
- Sorting, pricing and displaying donated stock.
- Supporting and encouraging volunteers in their roles.
- Helping maximise income through sales, donations and Gift Aid.
- Assisting with cash handling, administration and compliance processes.
- Taking responsibility for the shop in the Shop Manager's absence.
What we're looking for
- Has experience working in a retail or customer-focused environment.
- Enjoys working with and supporting a diverse range of people.
- Has strong communication and organisational skills.
- Is confident using their initiative and solving problems.
- Can prioritise tasks in a busy environment.
- Is flexible and able to work weekends and bank holidays as part of a full-time retail rota.
- Shares Brandon's values of inclusion, respect and belonging.
Previous supervisory experience would be advantageous, but we're most interested in finding someone with the right attitude, enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference.
When you join Brandon, you'll be part of a supportive organisation that values individuality, encourages personal growth, and recognises the difference our colleagues make every day. We offer a great range of benefits, including:
- Access to the Blue Light Card, offering discounts at hundreds of retailers.
- Shopping discounts and cashback through our Lifestyle Benefits platform.
- Employee Assistance Programme, providing free and confidential support.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Full induction and ongoing training to support your development.
- Career progression opportunities across the organisation.
- Wellness support and resources.
- A supportive, inclusive and values-led culture.
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to people's lives every day.
At Brandon, we're committed to building diverse teams and creating inclusive workplaces where everyone belongs. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we'll be happy to support you. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive sufficient applications. Early application is therefore encouraged.
Assistant Shop Manager - Plympton employer: Brandon Trust
Brandon Trust is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its staff. With a strong emphasis on personal development and training, employees are empowered to grow within their roles while making a meaningful impact in the lives of autistic and disabled adults in Bristol. The flexible shift patterns and commitment to dignity and respect create a rewarding workplace culture that values each individual's contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager - Plympton
✨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 Brandon Trust, 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 Brandon Trust!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shop Manager - Plympton
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 Brandon Trust, 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 Brandon Trust 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 Brandon Trust that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brandon Trust
✨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!
