1115 Retail Assistant jobs in Durham

About us:
At Dreams, we know your bed is the best place in the whole world. But for the hours between precious sleep, we`d like to make work a special place to be too. We`e the UK s most loved bed retailer, so it s important our people feel the love as well.
Together we ve been making bedtimes better since 1985, with no signs of hitting the snooze button. We re owned by the world s largest beddin.

WHJS1_UKTJ

About us:
At Dreams, we know your bed is the best place in the whole world. But for the hours between precious sleep, we`d like to make work a special place to be too. We`e the UK s most loved bed retailer, so it s important our people feel the love as well.
Together we ve been making bedtimes better since 1985, with no signs of hitting the snooze button. We re owned by the world s largest beddin.

WHJS1_UKTJ

Fragrance Consultants - Retail Assistants

Gateshead

Immediate Start - December 2025 from £14 + per hour + Commission - Flexible Shifts

Brand Warriors and Tribe are proud to be the preferred staffing partners for an iconic global fragrance brand.

As the festive season approaches, were launching exciting in-store campaigns in Newcastle Eldon, Gateshead, Silverlink and were seeking passionate, sales-savv.

WHJS1_UKTJ

• Assist the Store Manager in daily store operations, including opening and closing procedures.
• Supervise and motivate store staff, ensuring high levels of customer service.
• Drive sales performance and contribute to achieving store targets.
• Manage inventory, including stock takes, merchandising, and ensuring product availability.
• Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and provide solutions in a timely manner.
• Ensure the store is well-presented, clean, and adheres to visual merchandising standards.
• Support in the training and development of new and existing staff.
• Deputize for the Store Manager as required, taking responsibility for all store functions.
• Assist in implementing company initiatives and promotions.
• Monitor stock levels and report any discrepancies or issues.
• Adhere to all health and safety regulations.
• Contribute to creating a positive and productive work environment.

• Previous experience in a retail environment, preferably in a supervisory or assistant management role.
• Strong customer service skills and a passion for retail.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Basic understanding of inventory management and merchandising.
• Reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends.
• Experience with POS systems is an advantage.

About the Role

The role of Retail Assistant Manager is to assist the Store Manager in all areas of daily business operations, including leading the team to deliver the store standards, key performance indicators and an excellent level of customer service to our members within a dynamic retail environment.  

About us

Company Shop Group (CSG), part of Biffa, is the largest commercial redistributor of surplus food and household products in the UK. We enable some of the biggest retailers, manufacturers, food service and logistics providers to unlock value from surplus stock, which may have otherwise gone to waste. The surplus we handle is redistributed through our Company Shop stores and our award-winning social enterprise Community Shop where we build stronger individuals and more confident communities. Working with our partners, we deliver an incredible impact and we're proud to be a good business doing good. We believe different ideas, perspective and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment which is why you’ll find us championing diversity and equality at every turn.

Hours: 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 (rota basis) between the hours of 6am and 10pm Monday to Sunday

The successful candidate must be flexible, the role will require working evenings, weekends and bank holidays

Location: Company Shop, Haughton Road, Darlington, DL1 2BJ

Salary : £31'748 per annum

Requirements

Accountabilities and Responsibilities 

• Supporting the Store Manager with the day-to-day service to colleagues, members and other stakeholders.  

• Ensuring that you and all members of your team adhere to all Company Shop Group policies and procedures. 

• Ensure that all Food Safety and Health, Safety & Environmental policies and practices are upheld, whilst proactively encouraging your team to promote a culture of good HSE practice including the reporting of any near misses and accidents. 

• Ensuring that all trading standards rules and regulations, merchandising guidelines and brand security measures are upheld.  

• Always delivering a proficient level of customer service to all our members. 

• Working closely with the Store Manager to deliver retail excellence in achieving green audits, sales budgets, KPI’s, local engagement plans and productivity model.  

• Drive change and continuous improvement by constantly looking for operational improvements, sharing knowledge and leading by example. 

• Delivering the day-to-day retail activity including but not limited to membership, replenishment, deliveries, waste management, markdowns, cash office, hygiene/housekeeping and product recalls across all areas of the store including services, chill, ambient, non-food, produce, frozen, warehouse and colleague and external areas.  

• Managing financial transactions correctly, assisting members through the checkout, processing all payments correctly including cash, card, contactless and refunds.  

• Being responsible for opening and closing the store, ensuring the store is ready for trading. 

• Supporting the Store Manager by acting as Duty Manager as and when required. 

• Management of colleagues, to include: 

• Rota/Payroll Management  

• Regular 121’s, documenting discussions and follow up actions/feedback annual reviews  

• Absence monitoring and management 

• Disciplinary and grievance issues in accordance with Company Shop policies 

• Recruitment and onboarding of new colleague. 

• Engaging your team both within your department and within other departments to support cross functional and positive working relationships. 

• Regular team briefings/huddles, striving to create a team environment through effective communication, motivation, inclusion and equality. 

• Leading and developing members of your team to deliver performance against plan and ensuring they deliver the tasks they are accountable for.  

• Supporting, developing and coaching all members of your team using development and succession planning tools.  

• Keeping up to date with information relevant to your department, cascading accordingly to your team.  

• Carrying out such other reasonable tasks as might be required by the Company from time to time.  

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Proven record of management in a retail environment whilst managing a team of colleagues.  

• Solid interactive skills with an ability to communicate with members and colleagues and anticipate and rectify potential problems. 

• Lead by example and always uphold Company Shop Group values. 

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships. 

• To be flexible and adaptable to support the needs of the business. 

• Ability to work well under pressure whilst maintaining a can-do, helpful attitude in line with Company Shop Group ethos.  

• Strong operational and technical knowledge of your departmental area. 

• Ability to effectively plan, organise and manage own workload.  

• Excellent time management/organisational skills and ability to work to strict deadlines.  

• Service focused mindset for both internal and external customers. 

• Solution focused mindset bringing solutions and opportunities. 

• Basic mathematical and cash handling skills.  

• Food Safety - Level 1.  

Other duties that you may be required to undertake  

• Operation of MHE. 

• Carrying out First Aid and/or Emergency Response Marshalling.  

• Food Safety - Level 2. 

• Supporting and helping other Company Shop Stores or Colleague Shops across the United Kingdom.

Benefits

What's in it for you:

• Competitive salary with details available upon application
• Free membership to Company Shop for you and 10 x nominees.
• Annual Flu Injections, high street & leisure vouchers, and on-site Parking.
• Subsidised staff Canteen, Free Tea & Coffee, and Free Fruit Friday!
• Employee Assistance Programme – Grocery Aid.
• Eligible for Costco membership, Cycle 2 Work, and UK Fuel card discounts.
• Contributory pension scheme with death in service benefit.

• Assist the Store Manager in all aspects of store operations, including inventory management, merchandising, and visual presentation.
• Lead and motivate the retail team to achieve sales targets and deliver outstanding customer experiences.
• Provide training and development to staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Manage stock levels, process deliveries, and conduct regular stock takes to minimize shrinkage.
• Ensure the store is clean, well-organized, and adheres to health and safety regulations.
• Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and returns in a professional and efficient manner.
• Implement store policies and procedures, ensuring compliance across the team.
• Contribute to local marketing initiatives to drive foot traffic and brand awareness.
• Assist with staff scheduling and payroll as required.
• Support the implementation of new sales initiatives and promotions.

• Previous experience in a supervisory or management role within retail is essential.
• Proven track record of achieving sales targets and driving customer satisfaction.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Proficiency in using Point of Sale (POS) systems and inventory management software.
• A passion for retail and a commitment to delivering exceptional service.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining high visual merchandising standards.

• Achieve and exceed individual and team sales targets through effective selling techniques and product knowledge.
• Provide outstanding customer service, building rapport and loyalty with shoppers.
• Assist in merchandising, visual display, and maintaining store presentation standards.
• Process customer transactions accurately and efficiently using the point-of-sale system.
• Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and returns with professionalism and efficiency.
• Support stock management, including receiving, unpacking, and replenishing inventory.
• Train and mentor junior sales staff, sharing best practices and product expertise.
• Stay up-to-date with product knowledge, promotions, and company policies.
• Contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment.
• Participate in store opening and closing procedures as required.

• Previous experience in a customer-facing retail role, with at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed sales goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of sales principles and customer service best practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with POS systems and basic computer applications.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• A positive attitude and a genuine enthusiasm for fashion and retail.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift/move merchandise up to 20kg.

• Engage with customers in a friendly and professional manner, understanding their needs and recommending suitable products.
• Achieve and exceed sales targets through effective selling techniques and product knowledge.
• Maintain a high standard of visual merchandising and store presentation, ensuring products are well-displayed and organized.
• Assist with stock management, including receiving, processing, and replenishing inventory.
• Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and returns efficiently and empathetically.
• Train and mentor junior sales associates, sharing best practices and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system accurately for transactions, including cash handling and processing card payments.
• Stay updated on product knowledge, promotions, and company policies.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe and secure shopping environment for customers and staff.
• Participate in store meetings and training sessions to continuously improve performance.

• Proven experience in a retail sales role, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or senior associate capacity.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with a diverse customer base.
• Strong sales acumen and a results-oriented approach.
• Proficiency in POS systems and basic computer applications.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays, as required.
• A positive attitude and a genuine desire to provide excellent customer service.
• Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and lift moderate weights.
• Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK . This is a hybrid role, offering a blend of in-store responsibilities and potential for some remote administrative tasks.
  Our client values its employees and offers a competitive salary, staff discounts, and opportunities for career advancement. If you are a driven individual with a flair for sales and customer service, we encourage you to apply.