Assistant Store Manager (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

Pop Mart; Newcastle; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

POP MART is opening a Newcastle Pop-Up Store and is seeking an experienced Assistant Store Manager to lead store operations, drive sales, and deliver outstanding customer experiences.

Reporting to the Store Manager, you will coach the sales team, manage stock, merchandising, and daily cash procedures, and support recruitment and scheduling. This hands-on leadership role requires a proactive approach and passion for designer collectibles and POP MART’s brand values.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a retail management or supervisory role.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong leadership and coaching abilities.
• Proven track record of delivering excellent customer service and achieving sales targets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee store operations with focus on sales, customer service, stock management, and team performance.
• Coach and develop sales team to high performance.
• Assist with rota planning, payroll and operational reporting.
• Maintain visual merchandising standards and ensure the store is clean, organized and engaging.
• Support recruitment and onboarding of new team members.

Skills

Retail management

Leadership

Customer service

English proficiency

Tools

POS software

Job description

POP MART (09992.HK), founded in 2010, is a leading global company in the trend culture and entertainment industry. Centered around IP, POP MART has built a comprehensive platform for creative incubation and IP operation, empowering global creators while delivering exciting products, services, and immersive entertainment experiences to consumers.

POP MART identifies and nurtures emerging artists and designers worldwide, creating popular character IPs through a well-established IP development and operation system. Its portfolio includes iconic IPs such as MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, DIMOO, THE MONSTERS, and Hirono. By launching art toys and derivative products based on these IPs, POP MART continues to lead trends in consumer culture. As of the end of first half of 2025, POP MART operates over 550 physical stores and more than 2,500 Robo Shops across the world. Through multiple cross-border e-commerce platforms, the company has reached audiences in over 90 countries and regions, bringing joy to young consumers around the world.

Assistant Store Manager (Pop-Up) – Newcastle

Industry: Designer Collectibles

Location: Newcastle (Unit 2, 2 Blackett Bridge, Eldon Square, NE1 7XJ)

Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract (FTC) – 1 Year

Working Pattern: Full-Time

About POP MART

POP MART (09992.HK) is a leading global company in the trend culture and entertainment industry. Centred around intellectual property (IP), POP MART has built a comprehensive platform for creative incubation and IP operations, empowering global creators while delivering exciting products, services, and immersive entertainment experiences to consumers.

POP MART identifies and nurtures emerging artists and designers worldwide, creating popular character IPs through a well-established development and operation system. Our portfolio includes iconic characters such as MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, DIMOO, THE MONSTERS, and HIRONO.

POP MART operates over 500 physical stores and more than 2,300 Robo Shops across over 30 countries and regions. Through multiple cross-border e-commerce platforms, we reach customers in more than 90 countries and regions, bringing joy to young consumers across the world.

POP MART has developed a comprehensive IP commercialisation ecosystem spanning multiple industries, strengthening the emotional connection between fans and IPs while creating new opportunities for growth. Our ventures include the world’s first immersive IP-themed park in the designer collectible industry, global licensing and co-branding partnerships with leading brands, and internationally recognised designer collectible exhibitions and IP-themed experiences.

In Europe, POP MART has established a strong presence across key markets including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, while continuing to expand into new high-potential markets.

For more information, please visit www.popmart.com and our LinkedIn Careers page.

What to Expect

POP MART is a fast-paced company with a young and multicultural team. You can expect to:

• Contribute to a fast-growing European business that combines retail, art, and creative storytelling.
• Work with passionate teams across different countries, united by a shared love for designer collectibles and exceptional customer experiences.
• Develop your skills through hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and opportunities to grow your career.

Benefits

POP MART offers employees:

• Monthly appreciation gifts featuring our latest POP MART designs.
• A structured bonus scheme linked to company and individual performance.
• Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for counselling and wellbeing support.
• Training and development programmes to support your professional growth.
• Regular team events and celebrations.
• Company pension scheme.
• Health and wellbeing programmes.
• A 40-hour working week with 7-hour shifts and a 1-hour paid lunch break.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Assistant Store Manager to support the successful launch and operation of our Newcastle Pop-Up Store.

Working closely with the Store Manager, you will play a key role in driving store performance, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and ensuring operational excellence.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you will support the management of all aspects of store operations, including sales performance, team development, stock management, visual merchandising, and customer service.

You will help create an engaging and memorable POP MART experience for our customers while supporting the team to achieve commercial targets and maintain the highest operational standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Store Manager in overseeing all aspects of store operations, including sales, customer service, stock management, and team performance.
• Deliver exceptional customer service and ensure customer concerns are handled professionally and effectively.
• Support the coaching, training, and development of the sales team to achieve high-performance standards.
• Assist in implementing strategies to achieve sales targets and improve store performance.
• Monitor sales performance and support the delivery of store KPIs.
• Work closely with the Store Manager and merchandising team to maintain appropriate stock levels and ensure timely replenishment.
• Support inventory control processes and minimise stock discrepancies through effective loss prevention measures.
• Maintain excellent visual merchandising standards and ensure the store remains clean, organised, and visually engaging.
• Support daily cash-handling procedures, including opening and closing routines.
• Assist with team briefings and meetings to communicate business objectives, updates, and expectations.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance development of new team members.
• Assist with rota planning, payroll administration, and operational reporting.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, health and safety standards, and operational procedures.
• Be flexible to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and peak trading periods when required.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a retail management or supervisory role, preferably within premium, lifestyle, fashion, specialty retail, or customer-focused environments.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and support a team.
• Proven ability to deliver excellent customer service and achieve sales targets.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Experience supporting rota planning, reporting, and operational processes.
• A proactive and positive approach with a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• A genuine interest in designer collectibles, creativity, and POP MART’s brand values.

Desirable Skills

• Experience within the designer collectible, toy, lifestyle, or premium retail industry.
• Knowledge of visual merchandising principles and techniques.
• Experience using retail management software and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
• Additional language skills.

Work Location: In person

*POP MART is committed to equal pay initiatives and will not ask candidates for their current or past salary.

*As an Equal Opportunity Employer, POP MART does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, age, citizenship, imarital or domestic/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law.