At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in managing shop operations and motivate a diverse team of volunteers.
- Company: Join Scope, a charity dedicated to disability equality and community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days holiday, pay progression, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team focused on creating an equal future for disabled people.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your retail career.
- Qualifications: Retail experience with strong leadership and communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
Job reference: REQ004875
Location: Whitley Bay
Salary: Starting full‑time salary £24,479 per year (£13.45 per hour), pro rata for part time
Join Our Community
Would you like to work at the heart of your local community? Are you motivated to inspire and support a team of volunteers? Do you have retail experience and are ready for the next step in your career? If so, this could be the opportunity for you.
The Role
Assistant Shop Manager at Scope’s Whitley Bay shop (198 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2DN). Permanent, 28 hours a week. Please note that successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. We welcome all applications by 11:59 pm GMT on Tuesday 7 July 2026.
As Assistant Shop Manager, you will work alongside the Shop Manager to keep the shop running smoothly each day. You will help increase sales, manage shop costs, and support and motivate the team.
Key responsibilities
- Assist in the management of shop operations.
- Support, motivate and involve a diverse team of paid employees and volunteers.
- Actively promote Scope and its services within the community.
- Support the shop manager to drive sales and effectively manage stock, and assist with online selling including identifying suitable items and listing on online platforms.
- Help the team deliver excellent customer service.
- Deputise for the shop manager in their absence.
About You
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Proven experience in a customer‑facing role, with responsibility for supervising or leading a team within retail or other service‑based environments.
- Experience working in a target‑driven environment, with a focus on achieving sales or performance goals.
- Experience of working in a fast‑paced environment.
- A team player with strong work ethic.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- IT literacy and numeracy skills.
We welcome applications from people with lived experience of disability and from all backgrounds. We also ask you to share how you support Scope’s values and contribute to our goal of creating a fair and equal future for disabled people.
Working in Our Shops
Our shops are the face of our retail brand, run by dedicated, creative, and passionate teams. We focus on sustainable fashion, engage with local communities, and lead volunteers to deliver a great experience for colleagues and customers. Funds raised support Scope’s mission of achieving equality for disabled people and their families.
Shop Hours
Scope shops are open every day. Some weekend and Bank Holiday cover is needed.
Full‑time: 35 hours per week, five days out of seven. Part‑time: Weekly hours on a seven‑day rota.
Additional information
You must have the legal right to work in the UK to apply for this role. We cannot provide visa sponsorship.
Anonymised applications
We use an anonymised application process to support our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. All applicants must submit an anonymised CV and complete a short online application form.
Our values
Pioneering, Courageous, Connected, Open, Fair. We trust each other and give colleagues freedom to be creative, push boundaries, and change minds.
Disability confident scheme
We are proud to be a charity committed to disability equality. We welcome applications from disabled people and anyone with an impairment, long‑term condition, or access need. We want our colleagues to reflect the diverse communities we serve. Scope is a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to making sure disabled people have fair and equal access to work. As part of this, we aim to offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential requirements of the role. To be considered under our Offer an Interview Scheme, please tick the relevant box on your application form. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please email recruitment@scope.org.uk. You can also find more information about requesting adjustments for interviews on our website.
Important to know
You must meet all the essential requirements in the job description. If we receive a high number of applications for a role, we may need to prioritise interviews for disabled applicants who best meet the role criteria.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
EDI is a priority at Scope. We welcome applications from people of colour and other underrepresented communities. We aim to create a culture where everyone feels they belong, treating all with dignity and respect. As a disability equality charity, accessibility and inclusion come first. We listen, learn and continuously improve. You can find out more about our approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on the Scope website.
Benefits
- 35 days holiday.
- Pay progression at 6 months and 2 years.
- Company pension.
- Excellent training and career development.
- Strong colleague networks (disability, race, LGBTQ+, gender, social mobility, carers, young people).
- Wellbeing incentives, discounted gym membership, cycle‑to‑work scheme, and more.
- Long service awards and employee recognition awards.
Further information
One in four of us in the UK are disabled and we are a diverse, proud, and vibrant community. We’re here to create an equal future with all disabled people. We campaign to transform attitudes to disability, tackle injustice and inspire action. We are creating a powerful movement of disabled people, allies, organisations and businesses. Together we will be unstoppable. For more information go to www.scope.org.uk
Assistant Shop Manager - Whitley Bay employer: Scope
At Scope's Whitley Bay shop, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values community engagement and employee development. With a strong focus on equality and inclusion, we offer generous benefits such as 35 days of holiday, pay progression, and extensive training opportunities, all within a supportive and dynamic work culture that encourages creativity and teamwork. Join us in making a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a vibrant local setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager - Whitley Bay
✨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 Scope, 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 Scope!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shop Manager - Whitley Bay
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 Scope, 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 Scope 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 Scope that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scope
✨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!
