Assistant Retail Store Manager

ROLE SUMMARY:
You know every good dog walk between Bell Block and Oakura. You know which cafe lets the pup snooze under the table, and you've probably got strong opinions on the best beach spot for a game of fetch. Now imagine spending your work days around pets and the people who love them, as the right hand to the Store Manager in a brand-new store.

Petdirect is opening a new store in New Plymouth, and we're looking for a local to help lead it. Could this be you?

Why this one
Good retail leadership roles in New Plymouth don't come up often, and plenty of great people think they need to move to Auckland or Wellington to find one. You don't. Petdirect is a proudly NZ-owned national brand, and New Plymouth will be our sixth store. You'll be there from the start, helping set up the store, build the team and set the standard.

The lifestyle fit
This is a role that fits the life you already have. You'll spend your days with dogs, cats and the people who love them, in the town you call home. It's a proper 40-hour week, stable and supported, with a Store Manager who has your back.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

You'll be the Store Manager's right hand from day one, helping lead the team, run the store and build its place in the community.

• Support Team Leadership

  • Work with the Store Manager to recruit, onboard and train Retail Sales Assistants who love sharing their knowledge and building connections with customers.
  • Coach the team on the floor every day and give regular, useful feedback.
  • Lead by example with warmth and empathy, model Petdirect's values and help make the store a place people love to work.
  • Step up as acting Store Manager when needed and hold the fort across all areas of the store.
  • Help with rosters so the store is well covered and the team gets a fair mix of shifts.
  • Run team huddles and keep everyone across promotions, new products and priorities.

• Help Run the Business

  • Help run the store like it's your own, from sales and operations to standards and team morale.
  • Track daily, weekly and monthly KPIs across sales, education and service.
  • Spot trends, solve problems and act quickly.
  • Look after inventory, stock accuracy and store presentation.
  • Receive deliveries, run stock counts and keep the stockroom organised.
  • Open and close the store, including cash handling and banking.
  • Keep the store safe by following health and safety procedures.
  • Help set up the new store before opening, from merchandising to getting the team trained.

• Local Marketing and Community

  • Build relationships with local rescues, vets, businesses and dog clubs alongside the Store Manager.
  • Help plan and run in-store events, adoption days and local partnerships that make the store New Plymouth's go-to pet hub.
  • Get out into the community at local events, markets and dog shows.

• Deliver Great Service

• Keep the store welcoming, tidy and always customer-ready.

• Make sure every pet parent leaves more confident and better informed than when they walked in.

• Use customer feedback to keep improving how the store runs.

• Lead on the shop floor with strong product knowledge and great service every day.

• Handle customer questions, returns and complaints with care, and know when to escalate.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
You're a retailer with leadership experience, maybe as a Senior Sales Assistant, Team Leader or Assistant Manager, and you've thrived in a busy, high-volume store. You know how to drive sales, help develop a team and get involved in local marketing. You have a slightly over-the-top love for animals (pet product knowledge is a big plus), and you coach rather than boss because you value pets and people equally. You're local to New Plymouth, you know the place, the people and the dogs, and you're happy to work across weekends, holidays and varying shifts.

OUR STANDARDS:

• Seek 1%ers: We embrace continuous learning and strive to improve every day, no matter how small the gain.
• Act with purpose: We are intentional in our decisions and actions, always keeping the customer at the centre.
• Be collaborative: We work as one team - respectfully, openly, and with a shared commitment to success.
• Take responsibility: We own our actions and outcomes, demonstrating accountability at every level.
• Get it right: We hold ourselves to high standards by prioritising quality and accuracy in everything we do.

BENEFITS:
There's an incentive scheme tied to your store's success, plus a generous staff discount (your furbaby's about to get spoiled). You'll also get all-day snacks, shared morning teas and lunches, and a social, fun crew of Petsters, all backed by a growing national brand.

If you're a New Plymouth local who's been waiting for a leadership role that fits the life you love, this is it. Bring your experience, your energy and your favourite dog photo.

ABOUT PETDIRECT:
We are a team of pet enthusiasts dedicated to making life easier for pet parents. We started as an online-only business and have since expanded into bricks-and-mortar retail. New Plymouth will be our sixth store, and we have plans to keep growing across New Zealand.

We pride ourselves on great service, high-quality products and expert advice that help Kiwi pet parents make the best choices for their furry family members. As we grow, our commitment stays the same: to be a trusted partner for pet lovers across the country.

Join us as we keep building a market-leading online and retail experience for pet parents in New Zealand.
petdirect.co.nz