Team Leader- Reading

Hobbycraft; Reading; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading crafting retailer in Reading seeks a Team Leader to support store operations and enhance customer service. You'll assist in daily management, run the store in the absence of the Store Manager, and coach team members for success. The ideal candidate has retail experience and a passion for sales, driving profit, and customer satisfaction. This position offers a competitive salary and a range of company benefits.

Benefits

33 days holiday including bank holidays pro-rata

40% colleague discount

Employee support programme

Discounted gym membership

Colleague social events throughout the year

Qualifications

• Proven track record in retail or similar, driving profits and coaching colleagues.
• Duty management experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team, ensuring outstanding customer service.
• Support Store Manager in daily operations and keyholder duties.
• Coordinate Click and Collect process and handle deliveries.

Skills

Organisation and planning

Decision making

Interpersonal and communication skills

Excellent customer service

Adaptability

Commercial awareness

Brand ambassador

Self‑motivated

Job description

Job Type: Team Leader

Salary: £1362 per hour

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours a week

As a Team Leader at Hobbycraft you will assist the Store Manager in the day‑to‑day running of the store. You will also be responsible for running the store in the Manager's absence, delivering excellent customer service that encourages repeat visits and drives incremental sales. Delivering a customer‑focused experience is key to our continued success.

WHY HOBBYCRAFT

• Previously voted one of the Top 5 Best Companies in the UK by our own colleagues
• Forward‑thinking diverse team, 100% committed to what we do
• Reputation for exceeding customer expectations first time, every time

COMPANY BENEFITS

• 33 days holiday including bank holidays pro‑rata, growing with you during your time with us
• 40% colleague discount
• Long service awards to thank you for your time spent with us
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Day off to celebrate your birthday
• Fun event days to fundraise for our charity partners
• Annual paid‑for charity volunteer day
• Employee Support Programme for overall wellbeing for you and your family, including financial and mortgage advice
• Access to a personal pension scheme
• Access to a range of high‑street discounts
• An inclusive and creative working environment so you can truly be you and enjoy your time at work
• Colleague social events held throughout the year

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Teamwork and Leadership – lead by example, coach colleagues where appropriate to drive outstanding customer service and commercial awareness in the team
• Brand ambassador – be passionate about the Hobbycraft brand, embracing change positively and proactively
• Planner – ensure the store is set for a successful day of trade
• Relationship builder – treat everyone fairly, with dignity and respect, and uphold our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging policy to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all
• Merchandiser – coordinate deliveries; manual handling is an essential part of the role
• Click & Collect – coordinate the Click and Collect process
• Policy expert – comply with company policies and Health & Safety regulations to keep the store safe and legal
• Communicator – deliver clear, concise communications such as key messages and daily targets so the team understands expectations and how to deliver them
• Workshop facilitator – host various workshops in‑store
• Store Management – support the Store Manager in day‑to‑day management of the store and run the store in the Manager's absence (keyholder responsibilities, opening/closing, alarm callouts, cash controls, PI counts, general admin, back‑of‑house access, colleague security, data compliance including payroll, recruitment, personal data)
• Recruitment – assist the Store Manager in building a high‑performing team through recruitment, induction and training of new colleagues
• Colleague Support – provide support and coaching for colleagues where appropriate

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Experience

• A proven track record of the following in a retail or similar environment: Passionate about sales and driving profit, keyholding, cash handling & security awareness, coaching colleagues, merchandising experience, Health & Safety compliance, awareness of store KPIs, effective time management, determination to inspire success within your team
• Duty Management experience is advantageous

Skills

• Organisation and planning
• Decision making
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent customer service
• Adaptability
• Commercial awareness
• Brand ambassador
• Self‑motivated

JOB SUITABILITY

This role would suit a current Team Leader in a retail or similar environment or an experienced colleague looking to make their first move onto the management career path. The candidate should be a confident and professional individual who can support the management of a diverse team in a fast‑paced environment; calm, resilient and able to work well under pressure and cope with changing priorities.

Equal Opportunities

We are completely committed to supporting anyone with a disability in applying for our vacancies. If you have a disability and require support throughout our recruitment process you can contact us and let us know what adjustments you may need.

Hobbycraft is an equal opportunity employer who takes equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging seriously. We regularly review our policies and practices to ensure compliance and best practice.

As a retailer we celebrate the joy of crafting and our diverse colleague base from a broad range of communities. Our colleagues are recruited for their skill, passion, love of craft and customer service – all reflected in our customer base.

About Hobbycraft – our passion for craft is at the centre of everything we do. We host a variety of workshops and demos in stores and online, giving everyone the opportunity to master a new craft or refine a beloved one. We are here to help you create and support everyone on their crafting journey from parents encouraging creative kids to student artists, expert knitters, model‑making hobbyists and more!