At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our Alnwick boutique, delivering exceptional customer service and managing daily operations.
- Company: The Leather Mob, the UK's first all-things-leather boutique with a growing presence.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, performance bonuses, 28 days holiday, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible weekend shifts and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and influence the growth of an independent British brand.
- Qualifications: 2 years retail experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for fashion.
The predicted salary is between 7 - 8 £ per hour.
The Leather Mob is the UK's first all-things-leather boutique, with both a growing retail and online presence.
We specialise in beautifully crafted leather products, including our own exclusive handbag collection imported from Italy, alongside a carefully curated selection of handbags, accessories, jackets, sandals, jewellery, homeware and gifts.
Quality, style and individuality are at the heart of everything we do.
We continuously source new and exciting collections from around the world to ensure our customers discover something unique every time they visit us.
Since opening our first store in 2019, we have grown into a successful independent retailer with three specialist boutiques in Alnwick (Northumberland), Windermere (Cumbria) and Beverley (East Yorkshire), alongside an expanding international online business.
With further growth planned, including additional boutique openings, this is an exciting time to join our team.
We are a passionate, close-knit team with a great "work hard, celebrate success" attitude.
If you love handbags, accessories, fashion and delivering exceptional customer experiences, The Leather Mob could be the perfect place for you.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for an energetic and enthusiastic Assistant Boutique Manager to join our retail team and help lead our Alnwick boutique.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on, customer-focused individual with a strong sense of style, excellent attention to detail and a genuine passion for creating memorable shopping experiences.
As Assistant Boutique Manager, you will play a key role within the Boutique Management Team, supporting the day-to-day running of the store and helping deliver the high standards our customers expect.
What you'll do
- Bring the boutique to life through your energy, enthusiasm and passion for retail.
- Deliver exceptional customer service and create memorable shopping experiences.
- Build strong relationships with customers and provide knowledgeable product recommendations.
- Support the achievement of store sales targets through confident selling and upselling.
- Maintain outstanding shop floor presentation and visual merchandising standards.
- Support the daily operations of the boutique, including stock management, deliveries and online orders.
- Be a people person who enjoys connecting with customers.
- Have previous retail experience, ideally within a high street, fashion or luxury environment.
- Have excellent communication skills and a confident, friendly approach.
- Enjoy working as part of a team but also be comfortable taking ownership and working independently.
- Be organised, adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Be comfortable using computers and retail systems for administration and online order processing.
- Know a thing or two about woocommerce to help maintain our online product catalogue
None of the above are a deal breaker, but they could just make your job a lot more varied and fun!
What we're looking for
- A genuine appreciation for leather as a quality, sustainable and timeless material.
- A passion for handbags, accessories and fashion.
- A desire to deliver exceptional customer service (our customer reviews reflect how important this is to us).
- Commercial awareness and the ability to recognise opportunities to increase sales.
- A keen eye for detail and visual merchandising.
- Flexibility and willingness to work weekends on a rota basis.
We aim, wherever possible, to give every team member at least one full weekend off each month and only require either a Saturday or Sunday on other weekends.
What we offer
We are a close-knit, supportive team who genuinely enjoy working together.
We work hard, celebrate success and take pride in creating an exceptional experience for both our customers and each other.
As the business continues to grow, we are committed to developing our team and creating opportunities for career progression from within.
This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in the growth of an independent British brand.
Working closely with the owner, you will have genuine influence over the success and development of the boutique and other aspects of the business.
- Store performance bonus scheme.
- 28 days holiday per year including statutory holidays (pro-rata for part-time roles).
- Schedule
- Full-time permanent position (job share may be considered).
- Average shifts of 7–8 hours.
- Shorter shifts may apply on weekends and bank holidays.
- Location
- Alnwick, Northumberland
Competitive hourly rate plus commission based on store performance.
Key Responsibilities
Your daily responsibilities will include, but not be limited to
- Welcoming customers and providing exceptional service.
- Advising customers and helping them find the perfect products.
- Processing sales and payments.
- Handling customer queries and resolving issues.
- Receiving deliveries and managing stock movements.
- Supporting stock takes and maintaining accurate stock records.
- Processing online orders.
- Maintaining an organised and well-presented stockroom.
- Keeping the boutique immaculate and ensuring excellent housekeeping standards.
- Supporting promotions, events and marketing activities.
- Maintaining and refreshing displays, windows and visual merchandising.
- Supporting social media activity across channels including Instagram and Facebook.
- Managing customer relationships and database information.
- Supporting the Boutique Management Team with day-to-day tasks and projects.
Experience & Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years' retail experience required.
The role in summary
The Assistant Boutique Manager is a hands-on role involving every aspect of running a successful boutique.
You will help maintain exceptional visual standards, welcome and inspire customers, support sales growth and ensure the smooth running of daily operations.
You may work independently or as part of a team, so confidence, initiative and a positive attitude are essential.
Previous retail sales experience within a high street, fashion or luxury environment is required.
Experience with Woo Commerce, social media, creative marketing or the Italian language would be advantageous, but is not essential.
Start date
28th September or as soon as possible after this date.
Successful candidates must have legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom.
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Assistant Boutique Manager in Alnwick employer: The Leather Mob
The Leather Mob is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and close-knit work culture, where team members celebrate successes together while delivering outstanding customer experiences. With a commitment to employee growth and career progression, this independent retailer offers unique opportunities to influence the success of a growing brand in the beautiful location of Alnwick, Northumberland. Enjoy competitive benefits, including a performance bonus scheme and generous holiday allowance, all while working with a passionate team that shares your love for quality leather products.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Boutique Manager in Alnwick
✨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 The Leather Mob, 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 The Leather Mob!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Boutique Manager in Alnwick
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 The Leather Mob, 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 The Leather Mob 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 The Leather Mob that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Leather Mob
✨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!
