At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team, drive sales, and elevate customer experiences in a vibrant retail environment.
- Company: Join KIKO MILANO, a brand that values innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days' holiday, 50% staff discount, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Great career growth potential and a supportive team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping store culture and delivering exceptional results.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail leadership with a passion for beauty and customer service.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is not a traditional Assistant Store Manager role. At KIKO MILANO, our Assistant Store Managers are commercial leaders, people developers, and brand ambassadors. You are the driving force behind exceptional store performance, shaping culture on the shop floor, and translating strategy into daily action. You partner closely with the Store Manager to lead a high-performing team, elevate the customer experience, and deliver sustainable commercial results. When the Store Manager is not present, you step autonomously into full leadership of the business.
What You'll Be Accountable For
- Commercial Leadership & Business Performance: Act as a true business partner to the Store Manager, owning store performance and contributing to the achievement of sales, profitability, and KPI targets. Analyse performance trends (ATV, UPT, footfall/conversion, etc) and translate insights into clear, actionable plans. Drive a results-focused culture by setting clear expectations, tracking progress, and celebrating wins. Support execution of commercial initiatives, launches, and promotions to maximise impact and customer engagement.
- People Leadership & Talent Development: Lead from the front, inspiring and motivating teams through visible, energetic leadership on the shop floor. Recruit, onboard, and develop top talent, ensuring the right people are in the right roles at the right time. Coach and mentor team members through regular feedback, development conversations, and hands-on training. Build strong succession plans and support internal progression to strengthen long-term store capability. Foster an inclusive, high-trust environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to perform at their best.
- Customer Experience Excellence: Champion a premium, consistent and engaging customer journey that reflects the KIKO service model. Ensure teams deliver expert product knowledge, personalised service, and confident application techniques. Actively role model customer engagement, setting the standard for service, selling behaviours, and brand storytelling. Use customer feedback and insight to continuously improve service standards and loyalty.
- Operational Excellence & Brand Standards: Ensure flawless execution of operational processes, store routines, and compliance with company policies. Partner with the Store Manager to maintain Retail Excellence, stock management, and store presentation. Proactively identify operational risks or inefficiencies and implement solutions quickly and collaboratively. Support inventory accuracy, Shrinkage, and safe working practices.
- Brand Advocacy & Continuous Learning: Be a proud ambassador of the KIKO MILANO brand, culture, and values at all times. Actively participate in BeKIKO training and development initiatives, keeping yourself and the team inspired, informed, and brand aligned. Stay up to date with product innovation, beauty trends, and competitor activity to keep the store relevant and competitive.
What Success Looks Like:
- Strong, consistent commercial results driven by engaged, capable teams.
- High levels of customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy.
- A positive, inclusive store culture with clear development pathways and strong internal talent pipelines.
- Operational excellence with uncompromising brand and visual standards.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in an Assistant Store Manager, Deputy Manager, or equivalent leadership role within a fast-paced retail environment (beauty or fashion preferred).
- Commercially minded with a strong understanding of KPIs and how to influence them.
- A confident people leader who coaches, develops, and inspires others.
- Passionate about customer experience, beauty, and brand storytelling.
- Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable leading through change.
What’s in it for you?
- 28 days' holiday including Bank Holidays
- Enjoy a 50% staff discount on KIKO MILANO products
- Free allocation of KIKO MILANO products as part of your employee benefits
- 5% employer pension contribution
- Access to YuLife, our Employee Assistance Programme supporting wellbeing, fitness, and financial health
- Monthly bonus scheme to reward performance and results
- Ongoing training and career development within KIKO MILANO
- Maternity and paternity bonus
- Employee referral scheme with rewards for recommending great talent
Assistant Store Managers in Birmingham employer: KIKO MILANO
At KIKO MILANO, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. Our Assistant Store Managers play a pivotal role in driving store performance while developing their teams and enhancing customer experiences. With generous benefits such as a 50% staff discount, ongoing training opportunities, and a supportive environment for personal growth, we empower our employees to thrive and succeed in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Store Managers in Birmingham
✨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 KIKO MILANO, 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 KIKO MILANO!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Store Managers in Birmingham
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 KIKO MILANO, 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 KIKO MILANO 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 KIKO MILANO that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at KIKO MILANO
✨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!
