Assistant Store Manager

Role Title: Store Assistant Manager

Location: Lewes (New store opening November 2026)

Reports To: Store Manager

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Arrangements: Full-Time, 40 hours

About us

Who are we?

For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life.

Our mission statement:

Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always.

Our Product formula:

Considered style. Trusted Quality. B Corp certified.

We are proud to have featured in the Sunday Times top 10 Best Places to Work 2026.

Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces.

Role Summary

As Assistant Store Manager , you will support the Store Manager in delivering exceptional customer experiences, driving profitable growth, and maintaining operational excellence. You will help lead the team, ensure omnichannel service standards are met, and contribute to the store’s success through effective planning, coaching, and compliance.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead by example, consistently demonstrating professionalism, Brand-aligned behaviour, and a positive attitude.
• Champion the brands identity and values through team behaviour, store presentation, and customer interactions.
• Coach and mentor Crew Team Lead and crew members, fostering a culture of growth, accountability and teamwork.
• Analyse financial data and make commercial decisions.
• Drive store performance by supporting sales, service and operational KPI delivery.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding and performance management processes.
• Ensure compliance with H&S, loss prevention, operational efficiency and budget control.
• Implement retail plans and visual merchandising standards.
• Oversee stock management and compliance.
• Responsible for opening and closing the store, including security checks, morning floor walks and daily team briefings.
• Act as Store Manager in their absence.
• Represent the brands values through behaviour, communication and presentation.
• To abide by all FatFace policies, procedures and brand values

Skills and Experience

• Previous management experience in retail.
• Proven ability to work with KPIs and commercial reports.
• Strong operational, stock, and cash management skills.
• Leadership and team development capabilities.
• Planning and organisational strengths.
• Resilience and initiative in a fast-paced environment.
• IT literacy and excellent communication skills.

Competencies

Role Competencies:

• Customer service and satisfaction focus.
• Alignment with company mission and values.
• Multichannel sales and product knowledge.
• Team development and recognition.
• Behavioural standards and communication.
• Commercial decision-making and growth focus.
• Budget efficiency and competitor awareness.
• P&L management and profitability.

Core Competencies:

• Collaboration: Builds positive relationships and works inclusively with others to achieve shared goals.
• Communication: Communicates clearly, openly and respectfully, ensuring others feel informed, listened to and valued.
• Customer Focus: Puts customer needs at the heart of decisions and actions to deliver exceptional experiences.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for actions, commitments and results, delivering on promises and learning from mistakes.
• Adaptability: Responds positively to change and challenges, approaching new ideas, experiences and opportunities with a curious and open mindset.
• Problem Solving: Uses sound judgement, initiative, curiosity, creativity and available digital tools to find practical solutions and improve outcomes.
• Living Our Values: Consistently demonstrates FatFace brand values and follows company policies, procedures and ways of working.
• Purpose and Impact: Supports FatFace's social and environmental commitments by championing opportunities within their role to make a positive impact through everyday behaviours, actions and decisions.

Collaboration and Deliverables:

Collaboration

☐ External Agency or Consultant

☐ External Supplier

☐ NEXT Business Partners

☐ FatFace Directors

☒ Store Teams

☐ Internal Product Teams (Design, Buying, Merchandising)

☒ Internal Support Teams (Finance, IT, Retail Operations, People, Compliance, Property)

☐ Internal Creative Teams (Marketing, Creative, Studio)

☒ Industry Networking

Deliverables

☐ Department Spend vs Budget

☒ Team Performance and Development

☒ Compliance and Governance Requirements

☒ Commercial Reporting

☐ Project Delivery

☒ Timelines and Deadlines

☒ Resource Planning

FatFace Benefits:

Financial & Protection Benefits

• Sick pay allowances
• Critical Illness Income protection/ Death in service (for salaried colleagues)
• Pension scheme – with net deduction and salary sacrifice options
• Dental insurance (colleague funded)

Discounts & Perks

• 60% off FatFace products
• 25% discount at Next stores (across full price products)
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work scheme (for salaried colleagues)
• EV vehicle scheme (for salaried colleagues)
• Perkbox – our online platform offering:
• Day-one access
• Exclusive brand discounts
• Wellbeing content
• Home workouts and more

Health & Wellbeing

• Specsavers eye care scheme
• Eye tests and contributions to glasses
• Free period products
• EAP support 24/7 via UNUM, Retail Trust, and Fashion & Textiles Support

Learning & Development

• THRIVE – our learning management system:
• Day-one access
• 1,000s of learning resources

Time Off & Leave

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Sabbatical leave (in line with service)
• Enhanced family-friendly policies – including enhanced maternity leave
• Flexible Working Opportunities – flexible working requests can be made from day one of employment and are considered on an individual basis.

Additional Perks

• Refer a Friend scheme

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply — you might be just the right fit.