Lounge Manager - Lakeside

Sofa Club; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading furniture retailer in Grays seeks a Lounge Manager to drive customer engagement and sales. Responsibilities include leading the team, managing operations, and ensuring a high-quality customer experience. Ideal candidates should have proven retail management experience and strong leadership skills. This is a hands-on role in a stylish environment offering competitive salary, career progression, and a diverse team culture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Commission & bonus scheme

Health insurance

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Friends & family discount

Qualifications

• Proven track record of exceeding sales and KPI targets in a retail environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills essential.
• Comfortable working weekends and adapting to business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire your Lounge team to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Drive lounge performance against sales and conversion targets.
• Oversee daily operations including scheduling and compliance.

Skills

Retail management experience

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Organisational abilities

Commercial acumen

Tools

POS systems

CRM systems

Job description

Location: Lakeside Lounge, Grays

Department: Sales

Reports To: Sales Director

Working Hours: 37.5 Hours per week – Weekend and Bank Holiday availability required

About Sofa Club

At Sofa Club, we’re on a growth journey and we’re only just getting started. As one of the UK’s fastest-growing furniture brands, we’re redefining the industry with bold designs, seamless service, and big ambitions.

With our brand presence expanding into new lounges across the country, we’re on the lookout for a confident, customer-focused Lounge Manager to lead the Lakeside space. If you’re a natural leader who thrives in a stylish, customer-centric environment and knows how to create an unforgettable experience, this is your chance to #jointheclub.

Role Overview

As Lounge Manager, you’ll be responsible for the overall performance, presentation, and profitability of the Lakeside Lounge. You’ll lead by example; delivering exceptional service, driving sales, and ensuring every customer leaves inspired and delighted.

The lounge is a more intimate, boutique space compared to our showrooms, so this role blends hands-on leadership with direct customer engagement. You’ll set the tone for the lounge, creating an inspiring environment that reflects our brand, while coaching your team to exceed targets. It’s a hands-on role that combines commercial focus with a genuine love for people, interiors, and creating unforgettable customer experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, inspire, and support your Lounge team to deliver an exceptional customer experience.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, coaching sessions, and performance reviews.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, and training for new team members.
• Foster a culture of confidence, collaboration, and accountability.

Sales & Customer Experience

• Drive lounge performance against sales and conversion targets.
• Create a welcoming, high-touch environment that turns visitors into buyers.
• Support with complex sales or customer queries, ensuring every interaction feels seamless.
• Monitor sales data and identify opportunities to improve performance.

Lounge Operations

• Oversee daily operations including scheduling, cash handling, and compliance.
• Ensure the lounge is always immaculate, stylish, and on-brand.
• Manage product presentation, deliveries, and stock movements.
• Maintain standards in health & safety and GDPR compliance.

Brand Ownership

• Act as the face of Sofa Club in Lakeside, living and breathing our tone, style, and values.
• Collaborate with the Head of Retail, marketing, and operations to maximise local visibility and impact.
• Report performance insights, successes, and opportunities for growth.

Working Conditions

• The lounge is located within a busy shopping centre, requiring the ability to manage high customer traffic and handle challenging situations with professionalism.
• The role may require standing for extended periods throughout the day.
• Flexibility is essential, with weekday, weekend, and evening availability required.
• You will be exclusively accountable for a single lounge space, working independently while staying connected with the wider Sofa Club team.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven retail management experience (ideally furniture, interiors, or premium retail).
• Track record of exceeding sales and KPI targets.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities.
• Commercially astute with an eye for detail and design.
• Proficient with POS and CRM systems.
• Comfortable working weekends and adapting to business needs.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive salary & Commission &bonus scheme.
• Clear career progression opportunities as we continue to scale.
• Real creative input and freedom to shape the showroom experience.
• Supportive, ambitious team culture.
• 28 days holiday + bank holidays.
• Enhanced family leave.
• Health insurance.
• Friends & family discount.
• Salary sacrifice schemes.

Are you a perfect match?

• Ambitious? We have huge plans. There’s never been a better time to join Sofa Club. We are growing fast and need ambitious people to join us for the ride.
• Fun? We work hard and then let our hair down at our office prosecco bar (yes, really!).
• Do-er? Talk is cheap, execution is everything. Be a doer, not a talker.
• Friendly? We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We have a diverse and inclusive culture, everyone gets on well, and we work together as one family