Lush Carlisle Trainee Manager (Temporary Maternity Cover 9-12 months)

We are building a brand that represents the people of the world. It’s what you do that counts, and we are always looking to expand perspectives and voices to shape our future. We see you, we celebrate you, we want you!

Who we are: You might know us as the inventors of the bath bomb, but there’s more to this great‑smelling, partly employee‑owned, family‑run company than pioneering cosmetics. We believe our business should put more back into the world than it takes and demonstrate that capitalism can be a force for good. We put our people first and fight cruel practices like animal testing, promote regeneration, and show that it’s what’s inside that counts – whether that’s an ingredient in a product or the minerals in a smartphone.

The role: As a Trainee Manager, your main focus will be assisting in delivering exceptional customer service and creating memorable experiences. You will work collaboratively with the store manager to cultivate a team that shares a passion for making every customer interaction a delightful experience. Your role also involves supporting the store manager in building connections within the local community, with other businesses, and charity organisations. You will play a role in creating and executing "top box" goals for the store and your team, ensuring that decisions positively impact these goals. As a trainee manager, you will work with the store manager to assess progress toward these objectives and help shape the team structure for optimal performance. Recruitment and upskilling of team members will be part of your responsibility, aligning roles and staff to meet the store's needs. The position covers maternity leave for 9‑12 months, 32 hours per week with the option to rise to 40 hours during October‑December.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the store manager to bring exciting ideas to life, making your store successful through creative planning, and building an exemplary in‑store team.
• Support the store manager in building a team of customer‑focused individuals who are enthusiastic about enhancing the overall shopping experience.
• Assist in nurturing a customer‑centric team by participating in training sessions, providing constructive feedback, and observing the store manager’s leadership.
• Lead a management team to help achieve the store’s top‑box goals.
• Delegate to your management team to meet customer and store needs.
• Think outside the box to achieve success whilst innovating and collaborating with your team.
• Contribute to managing the store’s finances by assisting in setting annual budgets, driving sales, and controlling staffing levels and stock to meet customer needs.
• Maintain a beautiful store with effective merchandising, high standards of cleanliness, and strong stock management that enhances the customer experience.
• Develop relationships within the local community to enhance customers’ experience when they visit the store.
• Engage in personal development by utilising training opportunities, collaborating with other teams across Lush, and gaining exposure to other stores and various aspects of the business.
• Create and facilitate a shopping experience that encourages your team to consistently make customers’ days bright.
• With the store manager’s support, take on your own projects to make positive changes and add your unique touch, helping the store thrive and grow.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:

• Customer Service: A genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer service, leading by example, and ensuring your team provides 5‑star service.
• Management Skills: Able to navigate difficult conversations, set and manage expectations, and support your management team while balancing the needs of the business and team morale.
• Teamwork: Consistently leading by example on the shop floor, working with your team to achieve top‑box goals, and maintaining a positive and supportive work environment.
• Communication: Strong verbal communication skills to share business messages throughout the store, as well as working with retailers, your manager, and the local staff.

Benefits:

• Holiday allowance
• 50% discount on Lush products and spa treatments
• Discretionary and profit‑based bonus
• Pension scheme
• Day off for weekday birthdays
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted rail and bus season tickets
• Employee assistance programme
• 6 months of full pay for parental leave (primary caregiver must qualify for SMP)
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Flexible working arrangements tailored to each role and location.
• 10% employee owned
• Access to employee‑led Community Networks, including Disability and Chronic Illness, Family Support, Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, Menopause and Neurodiversity communities.
• Tailored gender‑affirming care