Retail Sales Assistant - Keyholder
Retail Sales Assistant - Keyholder

Retail Sales Assistant - Keyholder

Stoke-on-Trent Full-Time No home office possible
The Works Stores Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support store management by opening, closing, and covering duties when needed.
  • Company: Join The Works Stores Ltd, a vibrant retail environment focused on creativity and learning.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25% discount, holiday pay, and access to exclusive online discounts.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team that inspires creativity and makes a real impact in retail.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for customer service.
  • Other info: Flexible part-time hours with training and development opportunities.

7 hour contract

Why The Works?

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. You sell the paint that turns someone into an artist. You provide the book that unleashes an inner author. You supply the games that help bring families together. You give someone the puzzle book that reconnects them with a late family member’s memory.

You never know who someone will become. So with your passion, and our products, you will help ignite the spark within people, allowing them to unleash their creativity, find new passions, hobbies, or rekindle fond memories.

The unseen possibilities are limitless, and it all starts with you.

Our Perks Are \’The Works\’

  • 💪 25% Colleague Discount! – Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
  • 😎 MyWorks – Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!
  • 🏡 Family Friendly Leave – Enjoy some time well spent with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
  • 🚀 Holiday – 28 days including bank holidays, or 33 days including bank holidays for Deputy and Store Managers.
  • 🎓 Can-Do Academy – Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
  • 💸 Stream – Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
  • 🏬 Share Scheme – Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
  • 💛 24/7 support for you and your family – Through our partnership with Retail Trust Charity, who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
  • 🩺 Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs.
  • 🥳 And loads more! – Long service awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work scheme and optional charity giving.

Become a Retail Sales Assistant

As a Sales Assistant, you’re the face of our brand on the shop floor – a true brand ambassador. Every day, you create moments that make our customers smile. They love visiting our stores, and you are a big part of why.

Your mission is to deliver exceptional service, spark brilliant conversations, and help customers with their shopping missions – whether it’s discovering new products they\’ll love, or finding the perfect gifts for someone else. By getting to know their interests or shopping mission, you’ll be ready to recommend things that surprise, delight, and inspire them. You’ll also play a key role in keeping the store well‑stocked, tidy, safe, and welcoming. Alongside your teammates, you help create an environment where everything runs smoothly and everyone feels supported and included in the team.

In this role, every interaction, every conversation, and every thoughtful recommendation helps bring our brand purpose, values and behaviours to life – and that impact… It all starts with you.

Being a Brand Ambassador

Being a brand ambassador at The Works isn’t your job title. It’s the way you bring our brand to life every day through the moments you create. It’s the smile that puts someone at ease, the warm welcome into the store, the way you support your colleagues with kindness and teamwork, the conversation that helps a child discover their new favourite toy, or the encouragement that inspires someone to reconnect with their creativity or their love of reading. These small interactions – the ones that feel ordinary to you, often become extraordinary memories for the people who walk through our doors.

Whether you’re on the shop floor, in our distribution centre, or at our support centre, you’ll always be representing our products, services, values and behaviours in a positive and authentic way. You help build trust, awareness and loyalty simply through how you show up. At The Works, we are all Brand Ambassadors.

Your Mission

  • Deliver friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient service to every customer.
  • Maintain excellent store standards, including merchandising, cleanliness, and stock replenishment.
  • Operate tills accurately and handle transactions with care.
  • Support with deliveries, stockroom organization, and product availability.
  • Follow all operational procedures, including health & safety and loss prevention.
  • As a Keyholder (if applicable, see the ‘Keyholder Responsibilities’ section below), you’ll open and close the store securely, and support with cash handling and store security.
  • Work collaboratively with your team to meet store targets and KPIs.
  • Stay informed about promotions, products, and services to help customers make informed choices.
  • Be a brand ambassador—positive, professional, and passionate about what we do.
  • The role can be physically demanding and hard work – you\’ll need to be physically comfortable managing stairs and heavy stock, but your supportive team will be there to lend a helping hand!

Skills / Behaviours That Will Set You Apart

  • A passion for delivering great customer service.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • A team player with a positive, can‑do attitude.
  • Reliable, punctual, and flexible to work varied shifts.
  • Comfortable using tills and handling cash.
  • Previous experience in customer service or hospitality role.
  • Experience in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
  • For Keyholders: experience with store opening/closing and basic supervisory responsibilities.

Keyholder Responsibilities

If you’re over 18, with training and support, you’ll join us as a keyholder, giving you the chance to take on extra responsibility and build valuable experience.

Our store teams can be small, so there will be times when you’re trusted to ‘hold keys’ and take on some management responsibilities when a manager isn’t in store. It’s a great opportunity to grow your confidence and develop the skills that will help you progress in your career.

Whenever you’re holding keys, you’ll receive an enhanced rate of pay to recognise these additional management responsibilities. It also gives you brilliant exposure to what it’s like to run a store – helping you build real examples and experiences you can use as you grow with us.

When you’re assigned keys, you’ll be responsible for:

  • Opening and closing the store
  • Cashing up
  • Carrying out management responsibilities

Our Purpose

To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

Our Values

We are Crafty 🎨 | Smart with what we\’ve got.

We are Caring 💛 | Heart in every action.

We are Can‑do 🚀 | Energy that gets it done.

Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments.

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under‑represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non‑binary, or use another term).

We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we\’ll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. Because when people spend time doing what they love, it’s Time Well Spent.

And with the right passion – It All Starts With You.

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Retail Sales Assistant - Keyholder employer: The Works Stores Ltd

The Works Stores Ltd. is an excellent employer that fosters a vibrant and supportive work culture, perfect for those looking to grow in the retail sector. With comprehensive training, generous employee benefits including a 25% discount, and opportunities for career advancement through the Can-Do Academy, you will feel valued and empowered in your role as a Retail Sales Assistant - Keyholder. Located in a dynamic retail environment, we prioritise employee well-being with initiatives like Wagestream for early wage access and a robust Employee Assistance Programme.
The Works Stores Ltd

Contact Detail:

The Works Stores Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Retail Sales Assistant - Keyholder

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company! Before your interview, spend some time browsing The Works' website and social media. Familiarise yourself with their products and values so you can show genuine enthusiasm during your chat.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice makes perfect! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently when it’s your turn to shine.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your personality! Retail is all about connecting with customers, so let your authentic self come through. Share your passion for creativity and learning, and don’t be afraid to sprinkle in a bit of positivity.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s super easy and ensures your application gets directly to us. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to joining a team that values creativity and a can-do attitude!

We think you need these skills to ace Retail Sales Assistant - Keyholder

Customer-Facing Communication
Multitasking
Stock Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Resilience
Creativity
Positivity
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your genuine enthusiasm for The Works and our products shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re excited about being part of our team!

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences that match the Retail Sales Assistant role. We love seeing how your unique background can contribute to our store's success!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key skills and experiences are easy to spot. This helps us get a quick sense of who you are and what you bring to the table.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Works Stores Ltd

✨Know the Brand Inside Out

Before your interview, take some time to really understand The Works and what they stand for. Familiarise yourself with their products, values, and mission. This will not only help you answer questions more confidently but also show your genuine passion for the brand.

✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills

As a Retail Sales Assistant, you'll be interacting with customers all day. Prepare examples of how you've provided excellent customer service in the past. Think about times when you turned a negative experience into a positive one or went above and beyond for a customer.

✨Demonstrate Your Resilience

Retail can be fast-paced and sometimes stressful. Be ready to discuss how you handle pressure and multitask effectively. Share specific instances where you managed multiple responsibilities or dealt with unexpected challenges while maintaining a positive attitude.

✨Ask Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! This shows your interest in the role and the company. You might ask about training opportunities, team dynamics, or how success is measured in the keyholder position. It’s a great way to engage with the interviewer and leave a lasting impression.

Retail Sales Assistant - Keyholder
The Works Stores Ltd
Location: Stoke-on-Trent

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