- 1,702retail management jobs live right now, from supervisor to store manager
- 27retailers hiring managers
- £28,441–£46,000typical top salary in assistant and deputy manager adverts that show pay
- 11 of 15employers we sampled say you'll run the store when the manager is away
What Does an Assistant Store Manager Do?
The job title changes from shop to shop. On our site, Deputy Manager is the most common, followed by Assistant Manager, Assistant Store Manager and Deputy Store Manager. The job is much the same: you support the store manager and step up when they're not there. We read 42 adverts from 15 retailers hiring for the role. These are the parts of the job they mentioned most.
- Leading the teamMotivating and leading the team alongside the store manager. Mentioned by all 15 employers.
- Sales and targetsHelping the store hit its sales targets and KPIs. Mentioned by all 15.
- Running the storeTaking charge of the whole store when the store manager isn't there. Mentioned by 11 of the 15.
- Coaching the teamTraining and developing colleagues on the shop floor. Mentioned by 11 of the 15.
- Stock and availabilityDeliveries, stock control and keeping the shelves full. Mentioned by 11 of the 15.
- Safety and complianceKeeping the store safe and legal, from health and safety to audits. Mentioned by 11 of the 15.
The day-to-day running often lands with you as well. 6 of the 15 mention rotas or scheduling, and 5 mention cash handling, from tills to the safe.
One supermarket pays its deputy managers an extra £4 an hour while they're running the store.
Do You Need Experience?
Usually, yes, of leading people. Most adverts ask for experience of leading a team in retail or another customer-facing business. One asks for a year of retail management experience. Another accepts experience in a retail supervisory role.
It's the step up from team leader. One supermarket calls its deputy manager job the perfect stepping stone for experienced team leaders on their way to store management. It says store management experience is a plus but not essential.
Some jobs have a specialism. One retailer advertises separate deputy managers for stock and process and for the shop floor. A motoring and cycling retailer wants an interest in bikes for one deputy role and mechanical experience for another.
What Employers Look For
How many of the 15 employers mention each quality in their adverts:
What Does an Assistant Store Manager Earn?
£28,441–£46,000a year
That's the spread of typical top salaries across the 8 employers whose adverts show a yearly salary. The middle of that spread is £32,775.
- Some jobs pay by the hour. One supermarket advertises its deputy managers at £14.75 to £15.72 an hour, plus £4 an hour while running the store.
- Check what's included. Some figures include a bonus. One employer advertises up to £45,422, made up of a base salary up to £36,322 and an uncapped monthly bonus.
- Bonuses are common. 8 of the 15 employers mention a bonus scheme.
Other benefits mentioned most often: a staff discount (13 of the 15) and a pension (10).
Hours
- Full-time is the norm, but not the only option. One supermarket offers 32, 36, 40 or 45 hour contracts. Its deputy managers work 25 to 35 hours.
- Part-time is possible. One trade and DIY chain welcomes part-time assistant managers working at least 22.5 hours over three days.
- Shifts vary. One supermarket's deputy managers work earlies and lates that change day to day, planned in advance.
Where It Can Lead
This is the role that gets you ready to run a store. Adverts talk about preparing you to step into the store manager's shoes, and the next step towards store manager jobs. The ladder on our site:
- Supervisor or Team Leader: running a shift or a section.
- Duty Manager or Team Manager: managing the store on your shift.
- Assistant or Deputy Store Manager: second in charge.
- Store Manager: responsible for the whole store. Read our Store Manager guide.
Job Titles to Search For
- Deputy Manager
- Assistant Manager
- Assistant Store Manager
- Deputy Store Manager
- Duty Manager
- Store Manager
How to Apply
- Search every title. The same job is advertised as deputy manager, assistant manager and assistant store manager.
- Show what you've led. Have examples of shifts you've run, people you've trained and targets you've hit.
- Upload your CV. Employers can then find you as well as the other way round.
- Prepare for the interview. Read our 20 common interview questions. Some employers also hold an in-store assessment.
Ready for the next step?
There are 1,702 retail management jobs live right now.