At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Shack Manager and create an amazing customer experience in our Bristol Shack.
- Company: Join Loaf, a leading premium furniture brand known for comfy sofas and homewares.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, staff discounts, healthcare cash plan, and more!
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly team and help customers find their perfect home comfort.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and retail, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 20790 - 25410 £ per year.
At Loaf we make insanely comfy sofas, beds and homewares that help people lead more comfortable lives. Founded in 2008, Loaf has steadily grown each year to become one of the leading premium furniture and homeware brands in the UK. We now have 12 Shacks (stores to everyone else!), with more on the way. It's an exciting time to join an ambitious business.
We have a full-time Assistant Shack Manager role in our Bristol Shack, creating an amazing customer experience for all our Loaf visitors. You'll be the right-hand person to the Shack Manager, stepping up in their absence and helping to ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly.
The Job
- Support the Shack Manager with recruitment and onboarding
- Offer day to day guidance, coaching and support to the team including holding 1:1s
- Understand and adhere to the Loaf SHACKS sales policies - deliver a customer experience that is warm, friendly, knowledgeable and professional
- Support with the creation and management of team rotas to ensure the Shack is appropriately staffed within budget
- Maintain and grow your own product knowledge e.g. by reviewing the Loaf website, while ensuring your team's is up to date through attending regular training sessions
- Give our customers the confidence to make informed decisions with your honesty and amazing product knowledge
- Understand and contribute to meeting daily/weekly sales targets, and support the Shack Manager in analysing trade feedback and performance trends
- Understand customer order processes and make sure orders are placed within guidelines and ensuring every detail is correct
- Review feedback from other Loafers and make suggestions on actions that could be taken to improve the Shack layout / placement of products, optimising performance
- Understand and adhere to the Shack standards training, including taking an active role in visual merchandising, ensuring room sets and displays align with VM guidelines and support the customer journey
- Manage stock, deliveries, and stock takes
- Deputise for the Shack Manager when required
- Act as a keyholder for the Shack, including training in First Aid and Fire Marshalling
- Understand and adhere to all H&S compliance, management and reporting
- Regular floor walks and briefings to ensure high standards, task clarity, and team motivation
- Represent the Shack at offsite events, e.g. product launch training
- Provide cover to other Shacks as necessary
We're looking for...
- Previous experience within a customer service role, ideally within furniture, homewares or fashion - something where you've had the chance to offer customers advice and an honest opinion
- Previous experience in a retail store, ideally in a supervisory or junior management position, including experience in recruitment, developing teams and managing the employee lifecycle
- Problem solving
- First class communication and listening skills
- The ability to work independently and show initiative
- Excellent attention to detail
And what about you? You'll need to be warm and friendly, curious, and able to deliver the knowledgeable and professional experience we offer all our lovely Loaf customers.
Some of our benefits:
- 33 days holiday, increasing by 1 day each year for 3 years
- Enhanced family leave policy
- Staff and friends and family discount scheme
- Healthcare cash plan
- EAP programme
- Shopping discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Half a day for Christmas shopping
- Life Assurance - 4 times annual salary
What's it like working at Loaf? We are a forward-thinking, friendly bunch committed to building a fabulous company with brilliant people. The customer is at the heart of everything we do and we're always striving for better, more efficient ways to deliver to the highest standard.
As a business, we're working really hard to be inclusive. No matter what identity or background, we want everyone to feel welcome in a place where we can all be ourselves.
We'd love you to join us on our journey.
Please note that due to a high number of applications we are currently receiving we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback to every candidate at this stage of the process. If your application is successful, one of our Loafers will reach out to you to organise a face to face interview in Leeds in the first instance.
Assistant Shack Manager - Bristol employer: Really Comfy Beds Limited
Loaf is an excellent employer that values its employees by fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture. With a focus on professional growth, the company offers opportunities for skill development and career advancement, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the supply chain sector. Located in a vibrant area, Loaf provides a dynamic environment where your contributions are recognised and appreciated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shack Manager - Bristol
✨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 Really Comfy Beds Limited, 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 Really Comfy Beds Limited!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shack Manager - Bristol
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 Really Comfy Beds Limited, 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 Really Comfy Beds Limited 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 Really Comfy Beds Limited that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Really Comfy Beds Limited
✨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!
