Optical Assistant

Zest Business Group; Royal Tunbridge Wells; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Zest Optical in Horsmonden, Kent, is recruiting an Optical Assistant to train in lens glazing and specialist spectacle frame repairs in a hands-on workshop. The role offers practical training, moving from retail to a dedicated workshop environment with mentoring from an experienced spectacle technician.

The team repairs eyewear for customers and optical practices across the UK. You'll learn glazing and reglazing using dedicated equipment, check powers and prescriptions, and support various

Qualifications

• At least two years of recent Optical Assistant experience.
• Good understanding of prescription lenses, frames and dispensing.
• Interest in practical work and developing technical skills.
• Careful, detail‑oriented with good customer handling.

Responsibilities

• Glaze and reglaze prescription lenses using Essilor equipment.
• Check lens powers, prescriptions and finished spectacles for accuracy.
• Assess damaged frames and carry out specialist spectacle repairs.
• Achieve repairs that are secure and neat.
• Process online orders and respond to customer enquiries, mainly by email.
• Support occasional customer appointments and other workshop tasks.

Skills

Optical experience

Prescriptions understanding

Customer communication

Tools

Essilor equipment

Job description

Optical Assistant - Train in Glazing and Spectacle Frame Repairs - Horsmonden, Kent

Salary: £25,500 to £26,000 FTE, plus discretionary bonus
Hours: Monday to Friday, approximately 30 to 40 hours per week - Full or part time
Location: Horsmonden, Kent
Experience: At least two years of recent Optical Assistant experience required

Zest Optical is recruiting an experienced Optical Assistant to train in lens glazing and specialist spectacle frame repairs at a workshop in Horsmonden, Kent.

This is an opportunity to move from optical retail into a hands-on workshop role, building on your knowledge of prescription lenses and frames. You'll receive training from a highly experienced spectacle technician, developing practical skills in repairing and reglazing glasses.

The business works with customers and optical practices across the UK, repairing eyewear that often cannot be fixed in a standard optical practice.

The role

With training and support, you will learn to:

• Glaze and reglaze prescription lenses using Essilor equipment

• Check lens powers, prescriptions and finished spectacles for accuracy

• Assess damaged frames and carry out specialist spectacle repairs

• Achieve repairs that are both secure and neat

• Process online orders and respond to customer enquiries, mainly by email

• Support occasional customer appointments and other workshop tasks

About you

• At least two years of recent experience working as an Optical Assistant

• A good understanding of prescription lenses, frames and dispensing

• An interest in practical work and developing technical skills

• Good attention to detail and a careful approach to handling customers' eyewear

• Willingness to learn and help across a small business

• Comfortable using computers and communicating with customers by email

Previous glazing or specialist frame repair experience is not essential, as training will be provided. Experience with frame adjustments and basic repairs would be useful.

What's on offer

• £25,500 to £26,000 FTE, depending on experience, pro rata for reduced hours

• Discretionary annual bonus

• Monday to Friday working, with flexibility around start and finish times

• Approximately 30 to 40 hours per week, including the option of shorter days

• Training in prescription lens glazing and specialist spectacle frame repairs

• Free on-site parking

The workshop is in a rural location, so access to a car is likely to be needed.