Assistant Store Manager

Hamleys are seeking an experienced Assistant Store Manager to join their team in Heathrow Airport. You will assist in the management of all aspects of the store operations to achieve targeted sales, profitability and company goals through the use of KPI targets and excellent customer service.  You will improve business performance and realise objectives through the effective management, leadership and development of the people in your team and provide a deputising service to the Store Manager, assuming the responsibilities in the Store Manager's absence.

Key Responsibilities:

• To lead, motivate and develop your team to exceed sales and improve KPIs/customer service standards through effective performance management
• To give constructive and appropriate feedback on performance and on the job coaching to improve
• To ensure excellent customer service levels are promoted and maintained whilst the team consistently demonstrates full product knowledge
• To achieve sales targets through effective KPI management and delivery
• To analyse sales performance, maximising strengths & reviewing poor performance to establish an action plan for improvement
• To be aware of the surrounding market for both opportunities and identifying obstacles, to communicate to the appropriate people and to ensure the necessary action is taken
• To work with the Store Manager in the control of all costs/losses
• To have a basic understanding of the Profit and Loss, and how to interpret the floor’s performance
• To have an active involvement in recruiting and selecting the best people for the floor assisting with succession planning where required
• To identify individual learning and development needs and develop potential within the team, establishing personal development plans with the Store Manager to meet these needs
• To communicate effectively and efficiently internally, at all levels, to build strong relationships and support in developing business opportunities
• To assist in ensuring in floor delivery of product range and space management
• To support and improve the Visual Merchandising standards throughout the store, through training and development of the Visual Merchandising skills of the team
• To follow formal Performance Management procedures where appropriate
• To achieve 85% minimum Mystery Shopper score

Person Specification:

• To approach all aspects of work with passion, a positive attitude and lead by example
• To work independently with effective time management
• Demonstrates standards of excellence
• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Professional and logical approach to problem solving
• Determination to succeed with a ‘can do’ attitude
• High levels of enthusiasm and energy
• Innovative and creative
• Ability to work to deadlines

Do you know how Hamleys became the London Landmark it is today?

In fact, the Hamleys story began in Cornwall, England, with a man called William Hamley who could have become a tin miner, or a fisherman…but he had other ideas. William dreamed of opening a toy shop, and in 1760 he did just that, little did he know that it would become The Finest Toy Shop in the World.

With humble beginnings as Noahs Ark in 1760, by 1837 Hamleys was already a famous London landmark with families flocking to visit the “joy emporium”.

So successful was the shop, that in 1881 a new branch opened in Regent Street to cope with the hugely growing demand of the Hamleys signature fun, magic and theatre for all to enjoy.

Hamleys added a further five floors of toys! We can only imagine the spectacle with toy theatres, puppets, pedal cars and miniature railway trains jostled for space in the largest toy shop in the world.

Hamleys faced hard times in the late 1920s, along with everybody else. In 1931, the shop was forced to close for the first time and its fleet of horse-drawn delivery vans was stilled. But this story has a happy ending! Walter Lines, the Chairman of the Tri-Ang company, bought Hamleys and worked hard to bring customers back. In 1938, his efforts were rewarded.

Did you know… Queen Mary gave Hamleys the Royal Warrant in 1938?

Even World War II did not stop Hamleys when the building was bombed 5 times. Wearing tin hats, staff served at the shop entrance, rushing in to collect the toys then handing them over at the door.

The Festival of Britain in 1951 brought a Grand Doll's Salon as well as a vast model railway to amaze children - and their mothers and fathers. When she came to the throne, Queen Elizabeth II showed she still remembered the toys her grandmother had given her. She in turn gave Hamleys toys to her own children.

In 1955, her Majesty honoured Walter Lines with a second Royal Warrant as a 'Toys and Sports Merchant'. But it was the children's smiles that truly rewarded Walter Lines and his staff.

So, there you have it, that’s how Hamleys became the London Landmark it is today! From one man’s dream to bring toys and joy to the children of Cornwall in 1760, to millions of children visiting from all over the World.

Today we find Hamleys in its famous location at 188-196 Regent Street, London, England. Walk through the doors and enter a world of fun, magic and theatre at the Finest Toy Shop in the World. Over the squeaking, bleeping, whizzing and chiming of toys, you hear children laughing excitedly as they explore and play on seven wonderous floors of all the best toys and games.

The toys may have changed, but if he were here today, we're sure William Hamley would recognise the same delighted faces as he guided you round the shop he dreamt of as a boy.