Assistant Shop Manager Apprentice

Summary

Excellent opportunity to become part of a small, friendly charity shop team and learn retail management skills. The successful candidate will be initially placed at our Forest Hill premises and move to other shops in south-east London as the apprenticeship progresses to diversify and hone their skills.

Wage

£23,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Retail manager (level 4)

Hours

9.30am - 5.30pm 5 days per week dependent on rota.

35 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 15 May 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Using the working practices, policies and procedures set by Senior Management and the values of Alex TLC, ensure the charity shop business is run accordingly
Work within the budgets and achieve the financial targets set by the business in line with strategic requirements
Work to the high standards expected at all Alex TLC shop premises according to the rotas set by the Retail Area Manager
Work as directed by the Retail Area Manager and any Shop Manager
Work as a team member, taking full responsibility for all shop duties required wherever placed
Supervision of Retail Assistants and Voluntary Workers
Recruitment of Voluntary Workers
Participate in all training and legislative checks required by Alex TLC, statutory and specific to role
Maintain excellent levels of customer service (remembering customer service extends to colleagues and service providers, as well as customers), going above and beyond where possible
Assign and supervise the duties of any Retail Assistant or volunteer on site
Supervise the management and training of all Retail Assistants and voluntary workers to ensure they can work safely, correctly, effectively and efficiently according to Alex TLC values, working practices, policies and procedures
Maintain volunteer rotas wherever placed
Expert knowledge of the safe and correct use of all equipment used in the day to day running of the charity shop, for example the till, steamer, pricing equipment
Ability to train others in the safe and correct use of such equipment
To undertake ad-hoc duties as required
Opportunity to participate in Alex TLC charitable activities and events
Opportunities for promotion or redirection to other roles

Skills required:

Excellent customer service skills
Excellent telephone skills
Excellent writing skill
Excellent numerical ability
Excellent organisational ability
Flair for display
Knowledge of operational and emergency procedures
Ability to work in a team
Attention to detail
Enthusiastic
Articulate
Motivated
Calm under pressure
Methodical
Resourceful
Excellent organiser
Emotionally intelligent
Excellent leader
Honest
Committed

Where you’ll work

81-83 Dartmouth Road
London
SE23 3HT

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SR APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITED

Your training course

Retail manager (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

Course contents

Customer: Manage the customer experience, including remotely e.g. on- line, through ensuring the team deliver to customers a positive experience that benchmarks favourably to its main competitors and meets customer service objectives
Business: Lead the team to achieve and exceed business objectives through forward planning, analysis and evaluation of own business area. Use sales and customer data to make sound and effective decisions which improve business performance
Financial: Manage the overall performance of the team to achieve financial targets taking into account the retail calendar year. Analyse reports to identify and determine key actions and recommendations. Produce and report on financial plans as required by the business, and identify and implement opportunities to increase profit and reduce waste
Leadership: Provide clear direction and leadership to the team, giving open and honest feedback. Apply and adapt own leadership style to different retail situations and people to achieve the desired outcome
Marketing: Communicate marketing objectives to team members and drive results. Analyse and evaluate the impact of marketing activities e.g. sales and customer feedback, and report the outcomes to senior management with relevant recommendations
Communication: Establish clear communication objectives, lead communications in a style and manner that is relevant to the target audience and achieves an effective result for the business
Sales and Promotion: Manage the team to achieve sales targets through regular monitoring of performance against results, identifying high and low performance products / services and taking timely action to find and implement appropriate solutions
Product and Service: Analyse and interpret product / service sales information and use it to make recommendations for future planning e.g. of staff and resources, ideas for new initiatives. Research and demonstrate new products / services or initiatives to the team
Brand Reputation: Ensure the team carry out activities in line with business and brand values that actively market the business, support competitiveness and help meet business objectives. Identify possible risks to brand reputation and take action to prevent or minimise their impact
Merchandise: Ensure effective merchandising set up, monitoring and maintenance in own area of business. Measure the impact of merchandising on sales and report the outcome to colleagues and senior managers, providing recommendations for improvements, and implementing changes within own remit
Stock: Monitor the stock management system to minimise the cost of damage to stock and the loss of stock to the business. Ensure audit compliance and react quickly to results to maintain business standards and stock requirements
Developing self: Work with team members to maximise their potential and achieve organisation’s objectives. Implement effective and accurate training on products, services and legislation governing sales, such as age restricted products, trading standards and weights and measures
Team performance: Recruit the right people into the right job, monitor team performance and recognise excellence, effectively manage performance that is below standard
Legal and Governance: Manage and continuously review adherence to legislation and regulations / policies for due diligence; handle audits and regulatory authorities such as the Environmental Health Officer appropriately
Diversity: Implement business policy on diversity, ensuring team are aware of and know how to work effectively with colleagues customers and other stakeholders from wide range of backgrounds and cultures
Technology: Ensure technology is sourced, located, available, maintained and secured in line with business needs; oversee the use of technology in line with business policy, identify and make recommendations for improvement

Your training plan

Retail Manager Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard:

This apprenticeship will be delivered in the workplace. You will have a dedicated assessor who will provide guidance and monitor progress throughout
You will have access to an online portfolio to allow you to monitor your progress and log work completed

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4/C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

About this company

Established in 2004, Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity delivers high quality support, advice, knowledge and care for those affected by one of the leukodystrophies. The majority of these conditions cause progressive neurodegeneration, are largely untreatable and sadly terminal, and those affected deal with many common factors. Not only are we a charity, we are also a business and our south east London charity shop chain is an integral part of Alex TLC, providing employment and volunteering opportunities for the local community as well as much needed high street awareness of these little-known conditions.

https://alextlc.org/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

A role in a successful, dynamic company
Be a part of a strong team of performance driven colleagues
Great future career prospects for advancement
A professional working environment

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