At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the shop manager, motivate volunteers, and ensure excellent customer service.
- Company: Join a vibrant charity shop dedicated to community support and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, enhanced leave, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns and opportunities for career growth await you!
- Why this job: Make a difference in your community while developing valuable retail and leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Retail experience, strong communication skills, and a positive attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 12.85 - 12.85 £ per hour.
Responsible to: Shop Manager
Responsible for: Volunteers
Hours: 30 hours per week working 9am-5pm Monday to Sunday
Pay: £12.85 per hour
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Bulwell Lighthouse Charity Shop
We are committed to supporting a positive work-life balance and are happy to discuss flexible working patterns and day-to-day scheduling at the interview stage.
Purpose of the Job
As assistant shop manager you will assist and support your shop manager to motivate your team, creating a safe and energised work environment, whilst setting high standards in customer care. You will ensure the effective day to day running of the Lighthouse shop, assisting the manager in achieving agreed sales targets, maximising profit and providing effective support of volunteers in accordance with Valley CiDS standards and policies.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
- People Management
- Seek to promote a positive team culture throughout the shop environment, fostering a spirit of unity and belonging, whilst supporting and encouraging the skill sets of individual team members.
- Supporting your manager in all aspects of volunteer recruitment, assisting as and when required ensuring volunteers are fully equipped with the knowledge and understanding of shop operations in order to perform their roles effectively.
- Assist the shop manager to organise working patterns for all staff and volunteers ensuring the shop is fully staffed and effectively operating at all times.
- Ensure a standard of excellence in areas such as Customer Service and overall communication with staff and members of the public.
- To take responsibility for the overall running of the shop and volunteers in the shop manager's absence.
- Sales and Profit
- Work with the shop manager to achieve agreed sales targets to maximise profit through effective stock management and cost control measures.
- Assist the shop manager to effectively analyse financial data relating to sales performance using the Kudos reporting system.
- Support your shop manager and Retail Area Managers by showing initiative in monitoring retail competitors, exploring trends and implementing promotional campaigns to help with continuous commercial development.
- Generate additional income using local partnerships and appropriate social media platforms.
- Stock Management
- Assist and support the shop manager in stock management within the shop, ensuring stock is sourced, sorted, processed and merchandised in an effective and timely manner.
- To work with the shop manager to effectively manage collections and deliveries, regularly liaising with the Logistics Manager, drivers, and shop hives.
- Generate a high volume of stock onto the shop sales floor, applying consistent and appropriate pricing, along with Gift Aid where applicable.
- Identify high value items for eBay and any additional ways of recognising alternative revenue streams.
- Maintain the highest standards of display and visual merchandising throughout the shop including attractive window displays.
- Ensure high levels of cleanliness are consistently maintained.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Criteria
- Previous experience in a retail/customer centric environment including the use of EPOS systems
- Previous experience of communicating with a diverse customer base
- Ability to motivate, inspire and work as a team
- Good standard of numeracy
- Good administrative and organisational skills with the ability to undertake banking tasks, keep basic records and organise resources in a busy environment.
- Strong communicator with the ability to deal with customer issues and resolve problems with firmness and fairness
- The ability to recognise stock potential to generate income and the importance of attractive presentation.
- Basic knowledge of Health & Safety and Fire regulations and ability to identify potential risks.
- Flexible and positive attitude – Expectation to cover the shop manager and other team member’s holidays & sickness
- Must be able to work weekends & Bank Holidays as and when necessary
- Ability to use Microsoft office packages
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working with volunteers
- Experience within Charity Shops
- Processing stock deliveries will regularly involve carrying and moving (sometimes heavy) bags of stock. You will also be on your feet for long periods of time. On occasions you may be required to work on your own within the shop.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will therefore be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Benefits
- Enhanced Annual Leave
- Company Sick Pay Scheme
- 20% discount in all Lighthouse Charity Shops
- Company Pension
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to exclusive shopping and lifestyle discounts
- Christmas Saver Scheme
- Company Events
Assistant Shop Manager in Nottingham employer: Valley CIDS
Valley CiDS is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. Located in Swanwick, UK, employees benefit from enhanced leave, company sick pay, and pension options, alongside opportunities for professional growth through team collaboration and leadership roles. Join us to make a meaningful impact in children's lives while enjoying a rewarding career in a nurturing environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager in Nottingham
✨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 Valley CIDS, 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 Valley CIDS!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shop Manager in Nottingham
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 Valley CIDS, 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 Valley CIDS 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 Valley CIDS that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Valley CIDS
✨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!
