At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Shop Manager in running our Guildford shop and maximising sales.
- Company: Join Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that creates a positive impact while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Retail experience, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Your key purpose will be to support the Shop Manager in the day-to-day running of our Guildford shop, helping to maximise sales, deliver excellent customer service and generate vital income for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. This is a varied and hands-on role where you will support the management of donations, merchandising, shop presentation and a team of volunteers, while ensuring an outstanding experience for our customers and supporters. In the absence of the Shop Manager, you will help ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the shop, maintaining high standards and driving sales performance.
Responsibilities
- Support the Shop Manager in the day-to-day running of the Guildford shop, helping to maximise sales, deliver excellent customer service and generate vital income for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
- Assist with the management of donations, merchandising, shop presentation and a team of volunteers, while ensuring an outstanding experience for customers and supporters.
- In the absence of the Shop Manager, help ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the shop, maintaining high standards and driving sales performance.
About you
This role requires experience of working in a retail environment, including supporting the day-to-day operation of a shop, delivering excellent customer service and handling cash and administrative processes. You will be a confident and organised individual with strong communication skills, the ability to prioritise a varied workload and a proactive approach to problem-solving. You will enjoy working with people and be able to motivate and support volunteers to create a positive and welcoming environment for customers and supporters. You will have a keen eye for merchandising and shop presentation, be comfortable using IT systems and EPOS reporting, and be able to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced retail setting. A flexible approach is essential, including a willingness to work weekends as part of a rota and provide support across other locations when required.
What we offer
In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include:
- NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions
- Annual leave 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
- 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service
- Contractual benefits
- Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
- Flexible working arrangements
- Reimbursed professional membership fees
- Eye care
- Health and wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Occupational Health
- Mindfulness sessions
- Mental Health First Aiders
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Also, we are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence. We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.
Please contact Joe Tooze if you have any questions about this role.
Anticipated closing date: 20/07/2026. Please note that vacancies may close at any time once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We therefore recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
Assistant Shop Manager in Woking employer: Shooting Star Children's Hospices
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and compassionate work environment for Music Therapists dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and families. With flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, and the opportunity to collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team, employees can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful care in the Hampton and Guildford areas.
Contact Details:
Shooting Star Children's Hospices Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager in Woking
✨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 Shooting Star Children's Hospices, 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 Shooting Star Children's Hospices!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shop Manager in Woking
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 Shooting Star Children's Hospices, 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 Shooting Star Children's Hospices 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 Shooting Star Children's Hospices that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shooting Star Children's Hospices
✨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!
