Assistant Store Manager – Darlington – Van Mildert

Van Mildert was established in 1996 as a men’s and women’s fashion boutique in picturesque Durham City. Retailing from an old 17th century Gaol, the Grade 1 listed building on Elvet Bridge leads to the cathedral in the heart of the city. The store certainly has character and ‘Bob’ the ‘tour guide’ even used to bring the city’s many daily visitors to marvel at the store, shocked by the retail space we had created. Van Mildert was certainly new and exciting, retailing in a space with so much character and history.
This lifestyle store was one of the first really directional independents. Back then Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Comme Des Gar?on, Helmut Lang and Costume National were only available inside of London, but now the North East had its own fashion lifestyle store – a haven for the fashionista. Books from Atlas littered the old shelves, home accessories from Atomic brightened up the display cases, and furniture from SCP was used daily by customers shopping to the latest sounds on Rough Trade. Local artists exhibited their work in store and sculpture installations from art students and the regions designers all had a price tag, adding to the lifestyle concept. Customers from as far as London would spend an afternoon in the store with some of the most experienced and passionate staff who still feature in the industry today

Job Responsibilities

Due to the nature of the business, the company must retain flexibility in its operation at all times and you will be expected to co-operate, within reason, to requests to undertake work other than that advised as your main duties.

Key Contribution Areas

* Manage and motivate the performance of the team to ensure sales targets are met and exceeded.

* Be a strong presence on the shop floor to drive sales

* Instil a culture of exceptional customer service through coaching

* Assist the Store Manager in monitoring product knowledge and improving where necessary

* Assist Store Manager in ensuring all paperwork, polices and procedures are carried out efficiently and accurately

* Working with the Store Manager to ensure the store is working to the highest operational standards

* Drive and deliver KPIs

* Deputise in the absence of the Store Manager

* Manage presentation of company merchandise and make commercial decisions based on relevant store and competitor information

* Communicate and ensure the adherence of all company policies and procedures from all staff and deal with non compliance accordingly

* Ensure your team are versed on hourly, daily, weekly targets etc and are aware of key trends and promotions in store.

* Maintain an awareness of current and market trends, understand forthcoming customer promotions and monitor local competitors as and when required.

* Carry out all additional duties where and when necessary within the defined levels of responsibility and accountability for your role.

Skills and Knowledge

* Ability to drive sales

* Excellent planning and organising

* Excellent analytical skills, the ability to interpret financial and sales data

* Excellent communication skills

* Excellent leadership and motivational skills

Personal Qualities

* High level of personal energy to drive projects to completion

* Confident and assertive

* Positive and enthusiastic with a can do attitude

* Passion for fashion retail

* Professional manner

* Trend awareand well presented at all times