At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily store operations and drive sales while ensuring excellent customer service.
- Company: Join a charity shop that funds vital wellbeing and palliative care services.
- Benefits: Full-time role with flexible hours and the chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that supports the community and promotes sustainability through pre-loved goods.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and strong customer service skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 24750 - 30250 £ per year.
We’re looking for an Assistant Store Manager with a passion for pre-loved goods to support the team at our Bancroft store in Hitchin!
As one of the Hospice’s charity shops, our Bancroftstore plays a crucial role in funding our award-winning wellbeing and palliative care services.
What does the Assistant Store Manager role involve?
The Assistant Store Manager supports the Store Manager in the day-to-day operation, commercial performance, and presentation of the store.
The role focuses on driving sales, maintaining high retail standards, supporting volunteers and staff, and always ensuring excellent customer service.
The Assistant Store Manager will deputise for the Store Manager when required and play an active role in maximising income, including the promotion of Gift Aid, while ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
The role contributes to the organisation’s
Seven S’s
Sales - Service - Staff - Standards - Stock - Safety - Stock Loss
Duties include
- Supporting the delivery of sales income, profit, and KPI targets for the store.
- Assisting with analysing sales performance and implementing actions to improve results
- Maintaining strong visual merchandising standards to maximise sales and customer engagement.
- Act as a role model for customer service, professionalism, and positive behaviour.
- Support the recruitment, induction, and retention of volunteers.
- Promote Gift Aid confidently to donors and customers
This is a full time role for 37.5 hours per week, including weekends.
Candidates should be flexible as there may be the need to work in other shop locations as required.
What skills are we looking for?
- Previous experience in a retail or customer-facing environment.
- Experience of supervising or supporting staff or volunteers.
- Strong customer service skills with a commercial mindset.
- Awareness of visual merchandising and retail standards.
Closing date for applications: 8th October 2026. Please note that we are actively reviewing applications and interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The ad may close early if a successful candidate is found.
Whilst we’d love to get back to everyone who applies to our roles, we will only be in touch if your application is successful, if you have not heard from us within 28 days, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Garden House Hospice Trading is proud to be committed to be disability confident and reasonable adjustments will be made for applicants with disabilities.
We can only accept applications from candidates with the Right to Work and already living in the UK.
Safeguarding is of paramount importance to us; all successful candidates are required to undergo a DBS check, regardless of role.
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Assistant Store Manager - Hitchin (Bancroft) employer: Garden House Hospice Care
Garden House Hospice Care is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its staff while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a supportive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation, employees are encouraged to grow through professional development opportunities. Located in the heart of the UK, this role offers the unique advantage of working within a compassionate environment dedicated to providing care for local people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Store Manager - Hitchin (Bancroft)
✨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 Garden House Hospice Care, 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 Garden House Hospice Care!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Store Manager - Hitchin (Bancroft)
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 Garden House Hospice Care, 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 Garden House Hospice Care 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 Garden House Hospice Care that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Garden House Hospice Care
✨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!
