At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team, drive sales, and create an exceptional customer experience in our new Ipswich store.
- Company: Join Oak Furnitureland, a leading furniture retailer committed to quality and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy exclusive discounts, generous holiday allowance, and ongoing training for career growth.
- Other info: Full-time role with uncapped commission and a supportive, inclusive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Be a brand ambassador and make a real impact in a vibrant retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for customer service are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
We’re excited to announce that our brand-new Ipswich store will be opening this summer, and we’re looking for enthusiastic, dedicated people to join our team. If you’re passionate about great customer service and love working in retail, we’d love to hear from you. Our Assistant Store Managers are at the heart of our business acting as our biggest brand ambassadors. Often the first point of contact for customers visiting our network of showrooms, they are inspired and empowered to support our customers in growing their homes by assisting them in choosing the perfect pieces of furniture and accessories from our broad range of products.
They achieve this with every customer by being commercially minded and adopting a consultative sales approach using their expert knowledge of our comprehensive product range to deliver an exceptional experience on every occasion. In addition, they work closely with the Store Manager to support the store's overall success and step up to manage in their absence. This commitment to high performance is recognised and rewarded through our generous, industry-leading uncapped commission scheme, which ensures that all our Retail colleagues are rewarded for their dedication and hard work.
Core Responsibilities
- Take ownership of overall showroom sales performance and effectively manage all areas of the business to ensure targets are consistently achieved.
- Maximise showroom profitability by developing a culture where highly motivated individuals can successfully meet and exceed targets.
- Support continual performance improvement of Retail Sales Advisors and Assistant Store Managers by regularly setting clear expectations and developing the team through sales observations, feedback, training, and reviews.
- Recruit and onboard industry-leading Retail Sales Advisors by following recruitment and probation guidelines.
- Ensure the showroom is fully compliant in all areas of Health and Safety, finance, sales, FCA Regulations, GDPR, and stock control.
- Create a safe, comfortable, and up-to-date trading environment, ensuring the showroom is always ready to trade, displaying the correct promotional activity, and inviting our guests.
- Work with the team to share their expert knowledge of extensive product ranges and services and provide all customers with an exceptional experience.
- Utilise systems to ensure all customer information is processed compliantly, efficiently, and correctly following all Oak Furnitureland procedures and policies.
- Encourage and deliver a seamless omnichannel customer journey by recommending and using digital resources and marketing tools to help customers make informed purchase decisions.
- Manage daily operations of the showroom, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning.
- Coordinate with the Visual Merchandising Team to ensure that all displays are up-to-date and visually appealing.
- Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, encouraging open communication and teamwork.
- Conduct regular team meetings to update colleagues on performance, new products, and company policies.
- Develop colleagues using all available tools and resources to ensure all team members have the skills and knowledge required to perform their roles effectively.
- Analyse sales data and market trends to develop strategies for increasing sales and profitability.
Skills And Experience
- Capable of leading, coaching, and developing a competitive sales team that consistently meets their goals and targets.
- Effective leader who leads by example and can communicate confidently and clearly through daily management of shop floor behaviours.
- Build colleague's commitment and energise them to work towards goals and targets.
- Experience in successfully managing a large turnover retail store, ideally from a furniture retailer or heavily incentivised big-ticket sales environment.
- Proven track record of delivering successful businesses that operate within a consultative selling environment.
- Experience in leading sales teams to sell and promote products and services in an informative, engaging, and professional manner by demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the extensive product range.
- Understanding of the regulatory frameworks associated with this sector and role, with relevant experience enabling the following and delivering of set policies and procedures.
Our Assistant Store Managers work towards a store target offering uncapped commission rates of up to 4% on all sales.
Working Hours
This is a full-time role working 40 hours per week, 5 out of 7 days, with one weekend off every six.
Benefits
- Exclusive Employee Discounts: Enjoy unbeatable savings on all Oak Furnitureland products after completing your probation period.
- Generous Holiday Allowance: Benefit from 20 days of holiday each year (excluding Bank Holidays), giving you ample time to relax and recharge.
- Celebrate Your Special Day: Take an extra day off to celebrate your birthday or another special occasion important to you!
- My Rewards Programme: Unlock incredible savings and enjoy exclusive discounts on essentials and luxuries, from dining out and grocery shopping to entertainment, holidays, and gym memberships.
- Competitive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with a 4% employee contribution, matched by the company.
- Comprehensive Life Assurance: Receive free coverage worth at least twice your annual salary, ensuring peace of mind up to age 65.
- Continued Development: Enhance your skills and support your future career advancement with ongoing training and growth opportunities within the company.
- Supportive Employee Assistance Programme: Access professional counselling services via phone or in person whenever needed.
- Convenient Free On-site Parking: Enjoy the convenience and ease of free parking at our location.
Company Information
Oak Furnitureland launched in 2006. Our brand was built on ensuring our customers could access high-quality hardwood furniture at affordable prices. We expand our categories and styles to offer something for every home. We are committed to using quality materials and creating furniture built to last, while offering great value for money. We are a great place to work where colleagues are valued and can flourish, contribute, and develop their careers.
To Support Us, We Are Guided By Our Company's Purpose Of ‘helping People Make Their House a Real Home’, Which Is Underpinned By Our Values:
- We are adaptable
- We are experts
- We are authentic
- We are one team
- We put our customers first.
Equal Opportunities Employer
Our mission is to build an open and inclusive work environment where all colleagues have equal opportunity and access to development, progression and growth. We strive to recruit and retain diverse talent representative of our customer demographic. We encourage applications from individuals belonging to minority and underrepresented groups. We are committed to fairness in how we hire new colleagues and if you require any additional support to help you through the process, we’re happy to make the necessary adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Please note that any offer is subject to references and a DBS check.
Assistant Store Manager - Ipswich *New Store Opening* employer: Oak Furnitureland
At Oak Furnitureland, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, especially with the exciting new store opening in Ipswich. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering generous benefits such as uncapped commission, exclusive employee discounts, and a supportive environment for career advancement. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and empowers you to make a real impact in helping customers create their dream homes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Store Manager - Ipswich *New Store Opening*
✨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 Oak Furnitureland, 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 Oak Furnitureland!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Store Manager - Ipswich *New Store Opening*
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 Oak Furnitureland, 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 Oak Furnitureland 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 Oak Furnitureland that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oak Furnitureland
✨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!
