At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exceptional customer experiences and maintain high shop standards.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, John Lewis & Partners.
- Benefits: Earn £13.00 per hour, with a Night Premium of £3.75 for late shifts.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your work-life balance.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values kindness, respect, and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Basic IT skills and strong communication; customer service experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 13 £ per hour.
As a Brand Sponsored Partner, you feel inspired and empowered to seek out every opportunity to achieve the right outcomes for our customers. You'll work with your colleagues, the Brand and Team Manager to generate sales and improve the experience for our customers. Alongside the great service and experiences you provide to our customers, you'll deliver exceptional shop standards through displays, stock availability and general cleanliness. Knowing your customers will enable you to provide the best service we're known for and build their loyalty with our brand for a lifetime.
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.
Key Responsibilities
- Delivering excellent and market leading customer experiences.
- Put the customer at the heart of everything by proactively acknowledging them and taking the time to identify their needs and expectations. Ensuring these are consistently met and customer queries or complaints are resolved.
- Ensuring every customer has the opportunity to engage directly with the John Lewis brand and the Brand you support through personalised and social marketing.
- Being aware of your best sellers and sales performance to help drive promotions and newness such as seasonal changes.
- Helping to create and supporting marketing events to drive footfall and secure new customers.
- Maximising productivity by offering ideas for continuous improvements.
Essential skills/experience you'll need
- Basic IT literacy skills.
- Strong communication skills.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- Experience of working in a customer facing role is welcomed but not essential. We'll train you in all you need to know so that you can perform at your best, everyday.
Closing Date: August 21, 2026
Pay: £13.00 (£13.25 After 90 days)
Contract Type: Temporary
Hours of Work: Varied hours of full time work across seven days to include early starts, late finishes, evenings and weekends.
Job Level: Partnership Level 10
Where You'll Be Working: Southampton (John Lewis & Partners), West Quay Shopping Centre, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 1QA
Important points to note: 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.
Brand Sponsored Partner, Paul Smith in Southampton employer: John Lewis
As a Retail Sales Assistant at John Lewis in Horsham, you will be part of a renowned company that values its employees and fosters a supportive work culture. With competitive pay and the opportunity for uncapped commission, you can grow your skills in a dynamic retail environment while enjoying flexible working hours. John Lewis is committed to employee development, ensuring that you have access to training and growth opportunities that make your role both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Brand Sponsored Partner, Paul Smith in Southampton
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Brand Sponsored Partner, Paul Smith in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to John Lewis:Don’t forget to personalise your application for John Lewis! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that John Lewis offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at John Lewis and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
