At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver exceptional customer service and drive sales.
- Company: Join the UK's largest employee-owned business, John Lewis & Partners.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, night premium, flexible working options, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career development in a dynamic retail environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values kindness, respect, and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and strong leadership skills required.
As a Team Leader within one of our John Lewis shops, you are integral to delivering the unique John Lewis difference. You will lead our Partners in providing the distinctive, Partner led service and passion for products that our competitors cannot match. Your commitment to going the extra mile for both customers and Partners is vital. You will be instrumental in shaping the customer impression of the John Lewis brand, cultivating lifelong trust and loyalty that encourages repeat visits, all while maximising sales and profit.
In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £3.75 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.
Due to the nature of this role, applicants must be 18 years or over to apply.
Key Responsibilities- Driving a great customer experience by ensuring that every customer has a positive interaction with a Partner on their visit.
- Ensuring all operational tasks are completed with a "heads-up approach," guaranteeing that Partners are always looking out for customers and their needs.
- Effective utilisation of the systems, tools and resources to deploy labour resource to match customer and operational requirements.
- Championing our key differentiators by ensuring Partners are actively sharing their knowledge with each other and our customers.
- Inspiring, encouraging, and guiding Partners, clearly communicating expectations and building robust relationships based on honesty and respect.
- Driving the delivery of excellent in-store standards, including efficient recovery, visual merchandising, shop cleanliness, accurate ticketing, and product availability.
- Supporting the shop's leadership team with operational tasks and collaborating with all shop areas to effectively meet dynamic customer demand.
- Ensuring all Partners operate in a safe and legal manner.
- Evidence of consistently delivering amazing customer service personally.
- Demonstrable people and leadership skills.
- Experience working in a customer facing environment.
- A strong understanding of retail and how to maximise commercial success.
- Effective stakeholder management skills when working with third parties and the wider John Lewis Partnership.
- Duty Manager Training (Internal Partners only).
Closing Date: June 17, 2026
Pay: £14.58 Hourly
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours of Work: Part-time: 18 hours per week, between the hours of 06:00 and 22:00.
Job Level: Partnership Level 10
Where You'll Be Working: Trafford (John Lewis & Partners), Peel Avenue, Manchester, Lancashire, M17 8JL
We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Customer Assistant, Team Leader employer: John Lewis
At John Lewis, we pride ourselves on being the largest employee-owned business in the UK, fostering a culture where every Partner is valued and empowered to contribute to our shared success. Located in Trafford, Manchester, our Team Leaders play a crucial role in delivering exceptional customer experiences while enjoying benefits such as a Night Premium for late shifts and flexible working arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance. With a commitment to personal and professional growth, we encourage our Partners to thrive in an inclusive environment where kindness and respect are at the forefront of our operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Assistant, Team Leader
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like John Lewis and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at John Lewis and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Assistant, Team Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and John Lewis.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about John Lewis and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress John Lewis.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which John Lewis will surely appreciate.