At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to drive sales and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Company: Join Mencap, a passionate organisation supporting people with learning disabilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days of holiday, discounts, health plans, and more!
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive, diverse environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for inclusivity.
Are you passionate about retail and ready to take on a new challenge that will make a real difference to the lives of people with a learning disability? We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and driven Shop Manager to join our new team in Ashtead on a 37.5 hour contract. Your main base will be Ashtead, with an expectation of regular travel and flexibility to cover other M5 stores as required.
As a Shop Manager you will be responsible for the day to day running of our store by leading an inclusive team of paid colleagues and volunteers to maximise sales income and to minimise costs. You will have the passion to drive your store to be the best in the area.
What you will do:
- Drive sales in the store to meet expected budgets and KPI's.
- Run a high-density shop, ensuring that the shopfloor meets retail merchandising standards and that stock is rotated onto the shopfloor daily.
- Ensure that stock is generated over the door and that donors are signed up for Gift Aid.
- Ensure that the high standard of customer service that is expected by Mencap is delivered at all times.
- Be an inclusive leader developing your team, paid and volunteers, through training and performance reviews.
- Be responsible for all financial, cash handling, security, safeguarding and health and safety in the store.
To be a successful Shop Manager you will be:
- An experienced manager with the ability to drive sales and meet KPI's, ideally within a fashion retail environment.
- Ability to lead and support a team from varying backgrounds.
- Ability to meet the needs of the customers to generate and increase the sales of the store.
- Have a flexible approach to working hours and days, including weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
We are an equitable, diverse and inclusive organisation and we particularly welcome and encourage disabled applicants and those from the Black and Asian communities to apply for the role as they are under-represented within the workforce. If you are passionate about leading high-performing teams and delivering exceptional store standards, we'd love to hear from you.
Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated:
- 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata).
- Discounts at leading high-street retailers.
- Access to health cash plans.
- Interest-free loans.
- Many more exciting offerings.
About Mencap: Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.
At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. Every day we grow and learn. It's okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes. Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.
We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long-term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We're not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you're applying for.
£25,054 per annum, pro-rata, plus excellent benefits.
Store Manager Ashtead employer: Royal Mencap Society
Mencap is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its Support Workers in the beautiful locations of Penzance, Marazion, and Hayle. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Mencap offers flexible rotas, competitive salaries, and unique benefits such as enhanced payments for sleep-ins, ensuring that employees can balance their personal lives while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join a supportive team where your compassion and dedication will be valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Store Manager Ashtead
✨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 Royal Mencap Society, 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 Royal Mencap Society!
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 Royal Mencap Society, 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 Royal Mencap Society 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 Royal Mencap Society that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mencap Society
✨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!
