Assistant Store Manager at OKA Direct LTD – Braintree, England
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About This Position
ABOUT OKA
Founded over 20 years ago by three entrepreneurial women with a passion for beautiful, practical and comfortable homes, OKA is more than a furniture and homeware retailer: it is a love affair with living well.
We inspire people to confidently create a home that reflects their personality, a space where nothing should be too precious or perfect to be enjoyed with family and friends. British-born, today we have 15 stores across the UK – an established Interior Design and Trade business, a mail-order service and a thriving website.
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We are currently looking to recruit a full-time Store Manager to support our Retail Team, based at our brand-new outlet in Braintree. OKA Braintree is our third outlet, following the successful introduction of the brand within the Bicester Village Garden Centre in 2025.
We know the best work is done by people who enjoy their jobs, so we create a fun and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We are looking for an agile and proactive Assistant Store Manager with a positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit who can help us nurture this culture.
Reporting to the Store Manager, the Assistant Store Manager supports the overall management and performance of our new OKA retail space. You will play a key role in preparing our Braintree store for its opening in July 2026, assisting in the delivery of both sales and operational objectives. Working closely with the Store Manager, Area Manager, and wider Retail team, you will help lead by example to deliver an exceptional customer experience, while supporting and motivating the store team to drive sales and consistently exceed customer expectations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Store Operations:
- Support the Store Manager in overseeing all operational aspects of the outlet, ensuring high standards of presentation, merchandising and stock management in line with OKA brand guidelines.
- Work collaboratively with the host store management and teams to maintain smooth operations.
- Assist with scheduling, maintaining staffing levels, and supporting team performance
Customer Service:
- Deliver exceptional service and assist with resolving customer enquiries professionally and efficiently.
- Lead by example on the shop floor, promoting OKA’s values and ensuring every customer receives a memorable experience.
- Support clienteling efforts to build strong, personalised customer relationships.
- Uphold and represent OKA brand standards at all times within the concession.
- Ensure the store environment consistently reflects the quality, creativity and personality of the OKA brand.
Sales and Commercial Focus:
- Proactively contribute to driving sales performance and analysing outlets results.
- Assist with implementing sales strategies to maximise revenue.
- Support promotional activities, in-store events and product launches in collaboration with OKA retail and marketing teams.
People and Culture:
- Assist in recruiting, onboarding and training concession staff to ensure strong product knowledge and confident customer engagement.
- Help motivate and develop the team to meet sales targets and KPIs.
- Support the Store Manager in fostering a positive, inclusive team culture aligned with OKA’s values.
OUR VALUES
- Put the Customer First - provides exceptional internal and external customer service at all touchpoints
- Be In It Together - approachable, personable, committed to shared success
- Think Big - creative, innovative, solutions orientated
- Own It - curious, persistent, drives results
- Stay Playful - energises others, focuses on positives and opportunities, finds room for spontaneity
ABOUT YOU
- Experienced retail professional with proven track record, ideally gained within a luxury furniture or homeware retail environment
- Passion for delivering exceptional customer service
- Confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
- Natural flair for interior design, styling and store merchandising
- Experience and enthusiasm for high-end retail environments
- Extensive selling skills and the ability to motivate others
- Good eye for detail
- Flexible approach to working hours as the sector demands
- Tenacious, hardworking and reliable
- A creative, problem-solving spirit
- Passion for the OKA brand
OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE
- 33 days holiday (including bank holiday entitlement), plus Length of Service increases
- Day off for your birthday
- Health Cash Plan
- Generous staff discount
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Eligibility for a discretionary company Bonus Scheme
- Discounts on 60+ UK retailers via My OKA benefits platform
- Plus a suite ofadditional employee benefits including Company pension scheme, life assurancecover, free eye tests, cycle to work scheme, interest free travel loans, social events, online wellbeing centre and more.
If successful you will become part of the OKA family, a fast-paced and dynamic business. If you would like to apply for this position, please send your CV and details of your salary expectations, notice period and right to work information via the link provided.