At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team, manage store operations, and ensure excellent customer service.
- Company: Join Henderson Group, Northern Ireland's top foodservice provider with over 5,500 employees.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, healthcare, staff discounts, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours and a chance to grow within a Platinum accredited employer.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values your growth and community impact.
- Qualifications: 2 years of retail leadership experience and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Assistant Store Manager Attractive salary, benefits and bonus 42.5 hours per week Positions available province-wide Who are we? At Henderson Group, we are proud to be Northern Irelands leading foodservice provider. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,500 staff and have been placed 5th in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2024. We\'re a family-owned team that cares about our people and the community in which we live. Our leaders care about employees and our employees succeed together and celebrate the success of others. We are interested in your aspirations, interests and skills and we strive to support and inspire you to do well. At Henderson Retail, were an Investors in People Platinum accredited employer. We\'re the biggest in the market and continuing to grow with new store openings and current store expansions. Depending on the convenience format, in addition to grocery, our range of in-store services includes Post Office, Occasions, Butchery and Food-to-Go solutions with hot food, deli, coffee and in-store bakeries under internal/external brands such as Barista Bar, Daily Deli, Delish, Greggs and Subway. We currently operate over 100 retail stores in NI and have exciting plans to expand further in the near future. We are looking for talented individuals to join us at Assistant Store Manager level as part of our growth campaign. We aim to recruit a pool of skilled Retail Managers across various locations in Northern Ireland to participate in our intensive training program and be ready to lead one of our fantastic store teams in 2026. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to secure a position in NI. If youre passionate about retail and serviced food and want to work for the best, theres never been a better time to join us! A look into the role As an Assistant Manager, you will be responsible for leading a team alongside the Store Manager and you will deputise for them in their absence. Our store management team are dedicated SPAR and EUROSPAR brand ambassadors leading from the front and accountable for the day-to-day running, management and performance of the store. The best managers take real pride in running outstanding stores, and are determined to turn every customers visit into a great experience.?Youll uphold high standards while driving sales and other KPIs, and managing costs. Youll strive to achieve excellent retail standards, and lead the team from recruitment, onboarding, training and ongoing development. Youll lead by example as these roles are about inspiring your team to deliver the highest level of customer service whilst ensuring they are happy, motivated, well trained and feel proud of their role within the local community. If you thrive on achieving excellent retail results and love being at the heart of the community, youll love life in a company-owned store at Henderson Retail. You will be required to cover the Post Office and Food to Go when required as part of this role. Skills for Success Joining us as Assistant Manager, the minimum criteria youll need is: Minimum of 2 years experience of leading and developing a team within a fast-paced retail or quick service food environment. Brilliant time management, delegation and problem-solving skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. To be competent in the use of IT packages including Microsoft office and retail technology systems. Total customer focus, passionate about local community retailing along with the ability to motivate and inspire others to deliver the best possible service. It would be desirable if you have: Ability to demonstrate experience of effectively managing targets and controlling costs. Previous experience and demonstrated performance within the NI food convenience retail sector. Applicants should note that based on the response, the Company may increase the shortlisting criteria. Are we right for you? As part of this role, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by. Ambition We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better. Customer First We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities. Teamwork We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills. Integrity We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity. The Reward Were a Platinum Accredited Investors in People organisation and we provide a range of fantastic benefits to include competitive salary, annual performance related bonus, pension scheme, healthcare plan, Kingsbridge diamond membership, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more benefits. Being part of a large Group where we pride ourselves on progressing people from within, theres also no limits to where your career can go! Being part of a large Group where we pride ourselves on progressing people from within, theres also no limits to where your career can go! These are full-time positions working 42.5 hours per week and the role requires a flexible approach to hours of work in line with delivering the very best service experience for our customers. *If you have applied previously for the same role, youll have to wait 6 months from the date you originally applied, before re-applying. Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on Monday 12th January 2026. *Communication on the progress of your application will be made via email and the career site, therefore please check regularly. We are an equal opportunities employer. Skills: Ambition Customer First Teamwork Integrity Leadership
Contact Details:
Henderson Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager
✨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 Henderson Group, 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 Henderson Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Manager
Leadership Skills
Team Development
Time Management
Delegation Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Excellent Verbal Communication
Excellent Written Communication
Customer Service Orientation
IT Proficiency (Microsoft Office and Retail Technology)
Motivational Skills
Community Engagement
Target Management
Cost Control
Retail Standards Knowledge
Flexibility in Working Hours
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 Henderson Group, 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 Henderson Group 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 Henderson Group that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henderson Group
✨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!