Assistant Store Job at Sportscene

Job Title:	Assistant Store Job at Sportscene
Company:	Mr Price
Job Reference:	Sportscene
Location:	Johannesburg , ZA
Employment Type:	Full Time
Date Posted:	2024-10-21
Closing Date:	2024-12-31
Salary:	ZAR 5000 - 8000 per month

Assistant Store Job at Sportscene - Job Description

The Role and Responsibilities of an Assistant Store Manager at Sportscene
Introduction

In the retail sector, the role of an Assistant Store Manager is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation and success of a retail outlet. This position involves a wide array of responsibilities, from overseeing day-to-day operations to managing a team, controlling expenses, ensuring customer satisfaction, and driving sales. For individuals interested in a dynamic and rewarding career in retail, the Assistant Store Manager position at Sportscene, located in Golden Walk, Gauteng, offers a unique opportunity to combine leadership, management skills, and a passion for fashion and customer service.

Sportscene, known for its stylish sportswear, athleisure, and trendy accessories, represents a thriving retail space that combines fashion with comfort, making it an exciting environment for both customers and employees. As part of the larger TFG (The Foschini Group) portfolio, Sportscene offers a compelling career opportunity for individuals eager to grow in the retail industry.

This article explores the responsibilities, qualifications, skills, and behavioral traits required for the Assistant Store Manager role at Sportscene, as well as insights into what makes the company and the job offer particularly appealing.

The Assistant Store Manager at Sportscene has a range of key responsibilities that contribute to the overall success of the store. The role is centered on leadership, sales, customer service, and operational efficiency, all of which are vital in driving the store’s growth and customer satisfaction.

1. Driving Turnover and Sales Targets
A core responsibility of an Assistant Store Manager is ensuring that the store achieves its sales targets. This is done by developing and executing strategies to increase turnover and attract customers. An Assistant Store Manager must be highly proactive in identifying sales opportunities, understanding customer needs, and ensuring that the store offers products that appeal to the target market. Additionally, the manager must closely monitor sales trends, identify top-selling products, and make necessary adjustments to the store’s offerings to boost sales.

2. Controlling Expenses
To ensure profitability, an Assistant Store Manager must have a keen understanding of the store’s expenses. Managing overheads, controlling waste, and minimizing unnecessary expenditures are crucial tasks. This responsibility also involves budgeting for the store’s operational costs and ensuring that the financial resources are used efficiently.

3. Managing Stock Losses and Shrinkage
One of the primary challenges in retail is stock loss, which can occur due to theft, damage, or errors in inventory management. The Assistant Store Manager must be vigilant in minimizing shrinkage and ensuring that stock losses remain within the company’s acceptable standards. This involves implementing strict inventory controls, performing regular stock counts, and ensuring that store staff follow all necessary procedures to track and manage inventory effectively.

4. People Management
The Assistant Store Manager is responsible for leading and managing the store team. This includes recruiting new staff, providing ongoing training, and fostering an environment of continuous development. Performance management is also a key part of the role, where the manager must monitor staff performance, provide constructive feedback, and ensure that each team member is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their roles.

Effective people management also involves handling employee relations, ensuring a harmonious and productive work environment, and maintaining high levels of morale and engagement within the team.

5. Executing In-Store Merchandising Strategy
Merchandising plays a crucial role in attracting customers and encouraging sales. The Assistant Store Manager must execute the store’s merchandising strategy to create an appealing shopping environment. This includes setting up attractive product displays, ensuring products are correctly priced, and keeping the store well-organized. Effective merchandising not only promotes products but also enhances the overall shopping experience for customers, creating a positive atmosphere that encourages repeat visits.

6. Customer Service and Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is at the heart of any retail operation, and the Assistant Store Manager must ensure that the store delivers excellent service. This involves overseeing customer interactions, ensuring that staff provide personalized and efficient service, and resolving any issues or complaints in a timely manner. The manager should also work with the team to create a customer-centric culture, ensuring that every shopper leaves the store with a positive experience.

Qualifications and Experience Required
To succeed as an Assistant Store Manager at Sportscene, candidates must possess specific qualifications and experience. These include:

1. Grade 12 Qualification
A minimum requirement for the role is a Grade 12 (Matric) qualification. This educational standard ensures that candidates have the necessary foundational knowledge and literacy skills required for administrative and operational tasks.

2. Minimum of 3 Years of Retail or Administrative Experience
Candidates must have at least 3 years of experience in retail or an administrative role. This experience provides the candidate with the necessary understanding of retail operations, customer service, inventory management, and sales targets. It also helps in developing the leadership skills necessary to manage a team effectively.

3. Previous Retail Management Experience
Experience in a retail management role is essential, as it demonstrates the ability to handle the responsibilities and challenges of managing a store. This experience may include tasks such as overseeing day-to-day operations, managing staff, driving sales, and ensuring that the store runs smoothly.

Key Skills and Competencies
The role of Assistant Store Manager at Sportscene requires a specific set of skills and competencies that ensure the individual can effectively manage the store and deliver results. Some of the key skills include:

1. Interest in Fashion
Given that Sportscene focuses on stylish sportswear, athleisure, and accessories, an interest in fashion is a significant asset. Candidates who are passionate about current trends and can connect with customers through their knowledge of fashion are more likely to excel in the role.

2. Customer Service Focus
Excellent customer service skills are vital in this role. The Assistant Store Manager must be able to communicate effectively with customers, address their concerns, and ensure they have a positive shopping experience. The role also requires a strong sales orientation, with the manager actively encouraging staff to meet sales targets and offer exceptional service.

3. Administrative Skills
An Assistant Store Manager must be organized and detail-oriented, as the role involves managing various administrative tasks, such as stock control, budgeting, and performance tracking. The ability to use office systems and manage paperwork efficiently is crucial.

4. Profit and Turnover Driven
The Assistant Store Manager must be profit and turnover-driven, ensuring that the store consistently meets sales targets and operates within budget. This involves understanding the financial aspects of the store and making strategic decisions that contribute to profitability.

5. Risk Management
Managing risk is another essential skill. The Assistant Store Manager must be able to identify potential risks, whether related to security, customer satisfaction, or inventory management, and take appropriate steps to mitigate these risks.

6. Communication and Persuasion
Effective communication is key to this role. The Assistant Store Manager must be able to communicate and persuade customers and staff effectively, whether it’s addressing customer inquiries or motivating staff to achieve sales targets.

7. Problem-Solving Skills

The ability to think on one’s feet and find solutions quickly in a fast-paced environment is an important competency. This could include dealing with staffing issues, customer complaints, or unexpected operational challenges.

Key Behavioral Traits
The Assistant Store Manager must also demonstrate certain behavioral traits that align with the culture and values of Sportscene and the broader TFG group. These traits include:

1. Action-Oriented
The ideal candidate is proactive, readily taking on new challenges and seizing opportunities with enthusiasm and urgency. This is essential in a retail environment where the pace is fast and adaptability is crucial.

2. Building Networks
An Assistant Store Manager should be skilled at establishing and maintaining relationships, both internally with colleagues and externally with customers and suppliers. Building a strong network helps in managing store operations efficiently and enhances customer satisfaction.

3. Customer Focus
Understanding and meeting the needs of customers is a priority. The Assistant Store Manager should always prioritize the customer experience and work towards meeting or exceeding customer expectations.

4. Directing Work and Team Management
The ability to plan, organize, and direct the activities of a team is essential for achieving desired outcomes. The Assistant Store Manager must be able to delegate tasks effectively and ensure that the team is aligned with store goals.

5. Driving Engagement
An effective Assistant Store Manager inspires and motivates the team, encouraging them to perform at their best and contribute positively to the store’s success.

6. Ensuring Accountability
An Assistant Store Manager must hold both themselves and their team members accountable for achieving performance targets and maintaining high standards of customer service and store operations.

7. Optimizing Work Processes
Efficiency is key in retail. The Assistant Store Manager must continually assess and improve the effectiveness of various work processes, from inventory management to customer service procedures, ensuring that operations run smoothly and profitably.

8. Valuing Differences
The Assistant Store Manager should demonstrate respect and appreciation for the diversity of the team, understanding that different perspectives and values contribute to a more dynamic and inclusive workplace.

Conclusion
The role of Assistant Store Manager at Sportscene in Golden Walk, Gauteng, offers a dynamic and challenging opportunity for individuals passionate about retail, fashion, and customer service. With responsibilities ranging from driving sales and managing a team to overseeing operational efficiency, the Assistant Store Manager is pivotal in the store’s success.

Candidates for this role need to have a combination of qualifications, retail management experience, relevant skills, and a customer-focused mindset. They should be organized, driven by results, and capable of managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. If you thrive in a retail setting and are ready to take on a leadership role that encourages growth and development, then this position at Sportscene could.