At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and motivate a retail team to deliver exceptional customer service and achieve sales targets.
- Company: Join OKA, a vibrant homeware retailer with a passion for beautiful living.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive benefits package including health plans, bonuses, and extra perks.
- Other info: Flexible hours and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Be part of a fun, nurturing environment where your contributions truly matter.
- Qualifications: Retail management experience and a strong commercial mindset are essential.
The predicted salary is between 24750 - 30250 £ per year.
We are currently looking to recruit a full-time Assistant Store Manager (40 hours per week) to support our Retail Team, based at our OKA store in Newcastle.
OKA Newcastle is located on Fenwick's renowned furniture floor, the OKA space showcases a considered edit of furniture, homeware, textiles and lighting, designed to help create homes full of character, comfort and individuality.
We know the best work is done by people who enjoy their jobs, so we create a fun and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and is able to thrive.
We are looking for an agile and proactive Assistant Manager with a positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit who can help us nurture this company culture.
Reporting directly to the Store Manager, the Assistant Manager is responsible for the organisation and execution of all daily activities of the store, ensuring the Flagship teams deliver the highest possible standards of customer service - both face to face and via phone - in the most efficient and effective manner.
You will be responsible for managing a team of store staff and be proactive in motivating them to achieve brand KPIs and objectives, and work with other business leads to provide a vibrant and unique shopping experience for our customers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support the Store Manager in the day-to-day leadership and operation of the store, stepping up to lead the business in their absence
- Take ownership of sales performance, revenue targets and key retail KPIs, identifying opportunities and driving action where performance is behind
- Lead, motivate and coach the store team to deliver strong individual and collective performance
- Create a commercially focused environment where the team actively identifies opportunities, builds customer relationships and maximises every sale
- Maintain exceptional standards of customer service across all customer touchpoints
- Drive consistent execution of store operations, including opening and closing procedures, cash and EPOS processes, stock management and back-office standards
- Support effective team planning, organisation and deployment to ensure the store operates efficiently
- Maintain excellent visual and presentation standards across the store
- Champion OKA's Home Styling and Interior Design services and ensure the team confidently identifies relevant opportunities
- Provide expert product advice and guidance to customers in-store and via phone
- Role-model our Company Values and Behaviours and create a positive, accountable and high-performing team culture
OUR VALUES
- Put the Customer First - provides exceptional internal and external customer service at all touchpoints
- Be In It Together - approachable, personable, committed to shared success
- Think Big - creative, innovative, solutions orientated
- Own It - curious, persistent, drives results
- Stay Playful - energises others, focuses on positives and opportunities, finds room for spontaneity
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for someone with proven retail management experience – ideally a minimum of 1 year in an Assistant Manager, Supervisor or equivalent people-management role.
- Experience of leading and managing a retail team, including coaching, motivating and managing performance
- A strong commercial mindset with experience of working towards sales targets, revenue budgets and KPIs
- Confidence taking responsibility for the day-to-day operation of a store
- Strong selling skills and the ability to coach others to improve their commercial performance
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and make decisions in a fast-paced environment
- A proactive approach – you spot opportunities, take ownership and follow through
- A strong eye for visual presentation and an interest in interiors, furniture and home furnishings
- A flexible approach to working hours in line with the needs of the store
- A collaborative, positive and solutions-focused leadership style
- A genuine passion for the OKA brand
- OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE
- Length of Service increases
- Day off for your birthday
- Health Cash Plan
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Eligibility for a discretionary company
- Bonus Scheme
- Plus a suite of additional employee benefits including: Company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more.
- ABOUT OKA
Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well.
We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too preciousor perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends.
British-born, today we have 14stores across the UK – an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-orderserviceand athriving website.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Assistant Store Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: OKA Direct Ltd.
At OKA Direct LTD, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and collaborative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a CRM & Email Campaigns Coordinator, you will benefit from continuous professional development opportunities, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a tangible impact on customer engagement strategies. Located in the UK, our dynamic marketing team values creativity and innovation, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Store Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 OKA Direct Ltd., 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 OKA Direct Ltd.!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Store Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 OKA Direct Ltd., 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 OKA Direct Ltd. 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 OKA Direct Ltd. that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at OKA Direct Ltd.
✨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!
