Position Overview
We're looking for a confident, enthusiastic and experienced Assistant Manager to join the team at GUESS Ashford, as we continue to grow our management team.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced retail leader who loves being on the shop floor, developing people and driving commercial results. Working closely with the Store Manager, you'll play a key role in leading the team, delivering an exceptional customer experience and ensuring the store consistently achieves its sales and KPIs targets.
We're looking for someone who is positive, outgoing and hands-on, with a genuine passion for the GUESS brand and a natural ability to bring the best out of the people around them.
Experience in a similar management or supervisory position is essential.
About the role
As Assistant Manager, you'll be the second in command to the Store Manager; supporting the day-to-day running of the store and taking full responsibility for the store in the Store Manager's absence.
We're looking for a hands-on leader who leads by example. You'll be confident setting clear expectations, holding yourself and others accountable, and creating a positive and supportive team environment.
You'll be someone who enjoys developing people, gives regular feedback and coaching, recognises good performance and is confident addressing challenges when they arise. You'll build strong relationships with the team while maintaining the professionalism, standards and boundaries expected of a management position.
You'll also need to be commercially driven and comfortable taking ownership. You'll understand how your leadership impacts sales, customer experience and overall store performance, and will be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve.
You'll be responsible for:
- Driving sales performance and motivating the team to achieve and exceed all store KPI's and profitability expectations.
- Supporting the planning of store sales on a yearly, monthly and daily basis, including individual and departmental targets.
- Leading from the front of the shop floor and ensuring the team consistently delivers an excellent customer service.
- Creating a welcoming environment for every customer, including greeting and acknowledging customers as they enter the store.
- Analysing sales performance across departments and categories to identify opportunities to improve conversion, average basket and overall sales.
- Identifying team strengths, development opportunities and training needs, ensuring all training is completed in line with company guidelines.
- Providing regular coaching, feedback and ongoing development to support the growth and performance of the team.
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding and retention of high-quality management and sales associates, while contributing to effective succession planning.
- Maintaining GUESS visual merchandising standards, promotional directives and the overall cleanliness and organisation of the sales floor and stockroom.
- Supporting the achievement of profitability expectations across sales, payroll, shrink and conversion.
- Creating and implementing strategies to maximise sales and minimise unnecessary expenses.
- Maintaining strong communication and relationships with all members of the team, and supporting regular performance reviews and appraisals.
- Working closely with the Store Manager to identify opportunities to improve the store, team and overall customer experience.
Hands-on Role
This is a hands-on management position where you'll be actively involved in the day-to-day running of the store.
You'll be expected to lead from the shop floor, support the team during busy periods, maintain high standards and get involved in the operational side of the business. You'll balance delegation with taking ownership yourself, ensuring that tasks are followed through and the store is consistently performing at its best.
Additional Responsibilities
As part of the management team, you will also be expected to:
- Attend and actively participate in all store meetings and relevant company functions.
- Complete housekeeping, maintenance and other operational duties as required.
- Be willing and available to travel to and work at other locations when necessary.
- Maintain all standards, procedures and policies relevant to the role.
- Take on additional duties and responsibilities as reasonably assigned by management.
- Work additional hours when required, to meet the needs of the business.
- Ensure the correct use and car of all equipment and materials for which you are responsible.
What we're looking for
The ideal candidate will be commercially driven, people-focused and confident in taking ownership.
You'll be able to balance delivering strong sales results with creating an engaging and positive environment for both customers and colleagues.
You'll be:
- An experienced retail manager or supervisor with previous experience in a similar position.
- Confident leading, motivating and developing a team.
- A strong leader who leads by example and sets clear expectations.
- Comfortable giving feedback, coaching other and having challenging conversations when required.
- Commercially minded, with a strong understanding of sales targets, KPI's and store performance.
- Passionate about delivering excellent customer service.
- Positive, enthusiastic and approachable, with a genuine passion for the GUESS brand.
- Proactive and organised, with the ability to prioritise and follow tasks through to completion.
- A strong communicator who works effectively as part of a wider management team.
- Reliable, punctual and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Professional in your approach and happy to follow the GUESS dress code and company standards.
- Positive towards the company, our employees, our brand and our products.
- Flexible and willing to work collaboratively with colleagues and management to achieve shared goals.
Flexibility
This is a full-time, permanent position, subject to successful completion of a probationary period.
Full flexibility is required, including availability to work weekdays, evenings and weekends in order to support the needs of the management team. Weekend working is on a rotational basis, meaning you will be required to work some weekends, but not every weekend.
The role may also require additional hours and occasional travel or working at other locations, depending on the needs of the business.
What GUESS Offers
As part of the GUESS team, you'll have access to a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
- GUESS staff discount, across all outlets, full price and online stores.
- Bonus opportunities
- Uniform allowance
- Pension scheme
- Training and development opportunities
- Career progression opportunities
We're committed to supporting our people to develop their skills and progress within the business, making this a great opportunity for someone looking to take the next step in the retail management career.
GUESS Standards
All employees are expected to:
- Follow the 6 GUESS Rules (attitude, common sense, courage, get things done, sense of urgency, be a good team mate).
- Hold our 6 core Personal Values (belief, hope - never give up, destiny, trust, never forget your roots, respect others).
- Adhere to the GUESS dress code.
- Follow all policies, procedures and guidelines outlined in the company handbook.
- Maintain the standards expected within the role and contribute positively to the wider GUESS team.
- Complete all duties on time and to a satisfactory standard.
- Maintain excellent punctuality and adhere to their designated working schedule.
- Work flexibly and effectively with colleagues and management to acheive shared goals.
- Maintain a clean, neat and presentable appearance at all times.
- Represent a positive attitude towards GUESS, our brand and our merchandise.
The company reserves the right to vary or amend the duties and responsibilities of the post holder at any time according to the needs of the Company's business.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
