At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support your team while ensuring excellent customer service.
- Company: Join the East of England Co-op, a community-focused food retailer.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts, flexible shifts, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns to accommodate your commitments.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Previous leadership experience and strong communication skills are essential.
Come and join our team!
As Team Manager, you will be responsible for helping colleagues to realise their full potential through regular feedback, coaching and support. Not only will you make an impact on colleagues, but you will also have the chance to influence those living in your store’s community through supporting local causes and events.
You will work alongside the Branch Manager to drive high standards and excellent service in branch, meeting the needs of our customers and maximising opportunities for success! We believe this is best achieved through having a skilled, engaged, and diverse team.
Food retail is fast-paced and constantly evolving; you are unlikely to have two days the same and this is what makes working in our stores exciting! You don’t need to have worked in this environment before, but you’ll need to show that you can adapt, prioritise, and make quick, smart decisions.
We are truly local, so you can work safe in the knowledge that you will be fully supported by nearby store and Head Office colleagues, as well as your in-store team.
Want to know more? Take a look at our job description for the role here.
Our working patterns are non-contractual. Any advertised working pattern represents the normal working pattern for the role at time of advertisement and may be subject to change.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading your team and getting involved with all aspects of people management
- Deputising for your Branch Manager (there may be times when you will be in sole charge of the store)
- Ensure that your branch is at the top of its game, offering great standards and delivering excellent customer service
- Make sure that your branch is operating safe and legally
- Build relationships with other stores and colleagues and the local community
- Promoting membership
The person we are looking for
- Previous leadership experience
- Ability to support and motivate others Flexible, hard-working, and confident
- Great interpersonal and communication skills
- Friendly, with a genuine commitment to great customer service
Perks of the job
At the East of England Co-op, we strive to be the best place to work. We invest in our colleagues to help them to progress in their careers and achieve their full potential. How do we do this?
- Competitive rates of pay
- 20% discount in our food stores, along with other discounts across our family of businesses
- 22 days holiday (plus bank holiday entitlement) which increases with service
- 5% employer pension contribution
- Death in service benefit
- Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements*
- Opportunities to grow, with award-winning training and apprenticeship programmes
- Great discounts, deals, and cashback across over 900 high street and online retailers
- Financial wellbeing support, including Wagestream®
- Access to Cycle To Work, Rental Deposit Scheme, and SmartTech (after a qualifying period)
- Employee Recognition Scheme
- Long Service Awards
- Free remote GP service, available 24/7, including prescription, fitness, nutrition, and counselling services
- Employee Assistance Programme
We recognise the challenges people face trying to balance commitments both in and out of the workplace - perhaps studying, caring commitments, or other employment. We therefore aim to be as flexible as possible, to create shift patterns that work for both our co-op and our colleagues.
* Enhanced on statutory terms, subject to service criteria.
Salary: £13.71 per hour - Total Vacancy Hours: 24Location: 77-79 Coopers Lane, Clacton on Sea, CO15 2BX CO15 2BXTeam Manager - 77-79 Coopers Lane, Clacton on Sea employer: East of England Coop
At the East of England Co-op, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of our colleagues. With a strong commitment to career development through award-winning training programmes, competitive pay, and a supportive work culture, you will thrive in a dynamic environment where your contributions make a real difference in the community. Enjoy generous benefits, including discounts, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on employee recognition, all while working in the vibrant setting of Clacton on Sea.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - 77-79 Coopers Lane, Clacton on Sea
✨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 East of England Coop, 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 East of England Coop!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager - 77-79 Coopers Lane, Clacton on Sea
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 East of England Coop, 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 East of England Coop 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 East of England Coop that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at East of England Coop
✨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!
