Assistant Store Manager

OKA; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday day off

Health plan

Enhanced maternity pay

Employee assistance programme

Bonus scheme

Company pension scheme

Life assurance

Job summary

OKA Newcastle is seeking a full-time Assistant Store Manager to support the Retail Team at our Newcastle store. You will work directly with the Store Manager to lead daily operations and deliver the highest standards of customer service, both in-store and via phone.

Ideal candidates will have at least 1 year in a similar management role, a strong commercial mindset, and a passion for interiors and home furnishings.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year in an Assistant Manager or equivalent role.
• Experience leading a retail team with coaching and performance management.
• Strong commercial mindset with experience targeting KPIs.
• Ability to manage day-to-day store operations
• Excellent organisational skills and fast-paced decision making
• Flexible hours in line with store needs

Responsibilities

• Assist Store Manager with day-to-day leadership and operation of the store.
• Drive sales performance, revenue targets and KPIs.
• Lead, motivate and coach the store team to deliver strong results.
• Create a commercially focused environment to maximise sales opportunities.
• Maintain exceptional customer service across all touchpoints.
• Oversee opening/closing procedures, cash, EPOS and stock processes.
• Plan and deploy team resources for store efficiency.
• Maintain visual and presentation standards across the store.
• Promote OKA Home Styling and Interior Design services.
• Provide product advice in-store and on the phone.
• Model OKA values and foster a high-performing team culture

Skills

Retail management

Coaching

Sales targets

Customer service

Organisation

Job description

We are currently looking to recruit a full-time Assistant Store Manager (40 hours per week) to support our Retail Team, based at our OKA store in Newcastle.

OKA Newcastle is located on Fenwick's renowned furniture floor, the OKA space showcases a considered edit of furniture, homeware, textiles and lighting, designed to help create homes full of character, comfort and individuality.

We know the best work is done by people who enjoy their jobs, so we create a fun and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and is able to thrive. We are looking for an agile and proactive Assistant Manager with a positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit who can help us nurture this company culture.

Reporting directly to the Store Manager, the Assistant Manager is responsible for the organisation and execution of all daily activities of the store, ensuring the Flagship teams deliver the highest possible standards of customer service - both face to face and via phone - in the most efficient and effective manner. You will be responsible for managing a team of store staff and be proactive in motivating them to achieve brand KPIs and objectives, and work with other business leads to provide a vibrant and unique shopping experience for our customers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Store Manager in the day-to-day leadership and operation of the store, stepping up to lead the business in their absence
• Take ownership of sales performance, revenue targets and key retail KPIs, identifying opportunities and driving action where performance is behind
• Lead, motivate and coach the store team to deliver strong individual and collective performance
• Create a commercially focused environment where the team actively identifies opportunities, builds customer relationships and maximises every sale
• Maintain exceptional standards of customer service across all customer touchpoints
• Drive consistent execution of store operations, including opening and closing procedures, cash and EPOS processes, stock management and back-office standards
• Support effective team planning, organisation and deployment to ensure the store operates efficiently
• Maintain excellent visual and presentation standards across the store
• Champion OKA's Home Styling and Interior Design services and ensure the team confidently identifies relevant opportunities
• Provide expert product advice and guidance to customers in-store and via phone
• Role-model our Company Values and Behaviours and create a positive, accountable and high-performing team culture

OUR VALUES

• Put the Customer First - provides exceptional internal and external customer service at all touchpoints
• Be In It Together - approachable, personable, committed to shared success
• Think Big - creative, innovative, solutions orientated
• Own It - curious, persistent, drives results
• Stay Playful - energises others, focuses on positives and opportunities, finds room for spontaneity

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone with proven retail management experience – ideally a minimum of 1 year in an Assistant Manager, Supervisor or equivalent people-management role.

• Experience of leading and managing a retail team, including coaching, motivating and managing performance
• A strong commercial mindset with experience of working towards sales targets, revenue budgets and KPIs
• Confidence taking responsibility for the day-to-day operation of a store
• Strong selling skills and the ability to coach others to improve their commercial performance
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and make decisions in a fast-paced environment
• A proactive approach – you spot opportunities, take ownership and follow through
• A strong eye for visual presentation and an interest in interiors, furniture and home furnishings
• A flexible approach to working hours in line with the needs of the store
• A collaborative, positive and solutions-focused leadership style
• A genuine passion for the OKA brand

OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Length of Service increases
• Day off for your birthday
• Health Cash Plan
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Eligibility for a discretionary company
• Bonus Scheme
• Plus a suite of additional employee benefits including: Company pension scheme, life assurance cover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more.

ABOUT OKA

Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well.

We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too preciousor perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends. British-born, today we have 14stores across the UK – an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-orderserviceand athriving website.