At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Shop Manager and lead a diverse team to maximise income and provide excellent service.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK and make a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible leave, discounts, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for personal and professional growth in a vibrant environment.
- Why this job: Be an ambassador for a great cause while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and strong communication skills required.
Location: Glasgow, Queen St
Working hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £26,046 - £30,431 per annum plus benefits.
Reports to: Shop Manager
Department: Trading
Closing date: 6th July 2026.
About the role
We are looking for a motivated assistant shop manager to support the Shop Manager and the team to maximise income through people, resources and stock. You’ll act as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, leading by example and providing excellent customer and supporter service.
Responsibilities
- Support the shop manager in guiding, inspiring and engaging a diverse team of paid staff and volunteers.
- Assist in the commercial running of the store, including display, merchandising, stock management, maintaining shop standards and layout.
- Work alongside the shop manager to achieve targets for donated stock, cash, Gift Aid, average selling price, sell-through and stock processing.
- Create relationships with the local community and Cancer Research UK colleagues.
- Support the shop manager in organising and delivering creative fundraising events to meet targets.
- Maintain compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, security, administration and HR policies.
- Act as deputy for the shop manager in their absence.
Qualifications & Experience
- Working knowledge of what makes great customer service.
- Experience working in a lively and vibrant environment.
- Adaptability and the ability to work independently.
- Commercial awareness.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Flexibility to cover the store on a rota basis.
Benefits
We offer a generous salary and benefits package, including a substantial retirement plan, flexible leave allowance, discounts on travel, technology, gym membership and access to confidential wellbeing support from the Retail Trust. In addition, there are career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to support your success.
You must be eligible to work in the UK; the organisation does not offer visa sponsorship.
Assistant Manager (Glasgow, Queen St) employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Glasgow. As an Assistant Manager, you'll not only enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package but also have access to career development opportunities that empower you to grow within our organisation. Join us in making a meaningful impact while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to supporting our mission against cancer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager (Glasgow, Queen St)
✨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 Cancer Research UK, 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 Cancer Research UK!
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 Cancer Research UK, 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 Cancer Research UK 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 Cancer Research UK that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨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!
