📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand Sponsored Partner, Paul Smith
🔹 Company: John Lewis Partnership
🔹 Location: Cambridge (John Lewis & Partners), Grand Arcade, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3DS
🔹 Job Type: On-site
🔹 Category: Retail
🔹 Date Posted: April 16, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Delivering exceptional customer service and driving sales
- Maintaining high shop standards through displays, stock management, and cleanliness
- Working flexibly across various shop tasks and supporting the team
- Identifying areas of improvement and implementing solutions
ASSUMPTION: This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy working in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment and thrive on providing outstanding service.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Delivering engaging and inspirational customer service at every stage of the customer journey
✅ Using product knowledge and sales training to drive sales and increase profits for the Partnership
✅ Proactively acknowledging and understanding customer needs, and resolving any queries
✅ Working flexibly across the shop to support the wider team, including till support, stock replenishment, price ticketing, and general shop-keeping tasks
✅ Identifying areas of improvement and implementing solutions
✅ Helping to protect profits by supporting accurate stock counts
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication skills, a proactive approach to customer service, and the ability to work well within a team.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: No formal education requirements specified
Experience: No specific experience required, as training will be provided
Required Skills:
- Basic IT literacy
- Strong communication skills
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in a customer-facing role
- Merchandising and product displays experience
ASSUMPTION: While experience in a customer-facing role is welcomed, it's not essential, as the company provides comprehensive training.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £12.40 per hour (Based on the provided information, this is the industry standard for entry-level retail positions in the UK)
Benefits:
- Employee ownership: All employees are Partners and share in the profits of the business
- Flexible working: The company supports flexible working arrangements, where possible
- Pre-employment vetting: Some roles may be subject to pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks and financial probity checks
Working Hours: Varied hours of full-time work (37.5 hours) across seven days, including early starts, late finishes, and weekends between the hours of 08:50 - 18:10
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for entry-level retail positions in the UK. The company offers additional benefits, such as employee ownership and flexible working arrangements.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Retail
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: The John Lewis Partnership was founded in 1864
Company Description:
- The John Lewis Partnership is the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home to the cherished brands John Lewis and Waitrose
- The company is driven by its purpose to build a happier world and is ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail
- The Partnership continues to innovate, adapt, and diversify, never knowingly undersold on price, quality, and service
Company Specialties:
- Retail
- Online
- Distribution
- Finance
- Technology
- IT
- Digital
- Hotels
- Personnel
- Buying
- Marketing
Company Website: http://www.jlpjobs.com
ASSUMPTION: The John Lewis Partnership is a well-established retailer with a strong reputation for customer service and employee ownership.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Shop Manager or an Assistant Shop Manager
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site, full-time role with varied hours across seven days, including early starts, late finishes, and weekends
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a Team Leader or Supervisory role
- Development of product knowledge and sales skills
- Potential to move into other areas of the business, such as buying, merchandising, or head office roles
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career progression and development within the John Lewis Partnership.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Retail store environment
Office Location(s): Cambridge (John Lewis & Partners), Grand Arcade, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3DS
Geographic Context:
- The store is located in the Grand Arcade shopping center in Cambridge, a bustling city with a mix of historic and modern architecture
- Cambridge is known for its world-renowned university and beautiful riverside setting
- The store is easily accessible by public transportation and has nearby parking facilities
Work Schedule: Varied hours of full-time work (37.5 hours) across seven days, including early starts, late finishes, and weekends
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is fast-paced, customer-facing, and may involve working flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- Face-to-face interview with the Shop Manager or an Assistant Shop Manager
- Offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Customer service skills
- Communication and listening skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences, such as customer service, sales, or retail experience
- Prepare examples of when you have gone above and beyond to provide excellent customer service
- Research the John Lewis Partnership and be prepared to discuss your understanding of the brand and its values
ATS Keywords: Customer Service, Sales, Retail, Teamwork, Communication, Problem Solving, Adaptability
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may involve multiple stages, including an initial screening and a face-to-face interview with the Shop Manager or an Assistant Shop Manager.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Point-of-Sale (POS) systems
- Inventory management software
- Customer relationship management (CRM) systems
- Merchandising and visual display tools
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are specific to the retail industry and may vary depending on the store's needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Brilliant at Retail
- Never Knowingly Undersold
- Passion for Service
- Pioneering Spirit
- Integrity
- Respect
- Belonging
Work Style:
- Customer-focused
- Team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Proactive and solution-driven
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a passion for providing excellent customer service and going the extra mile?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment?
- Do you have strong communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure?
ASSUMPTION: The John Lewis Partnership values a customer-focused, team-oriented, and adaptable work style, with a strong emphasis on providing excellent customer service.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working flexible hours, including weekends and evenings
- Dealing with difficult customers or challenging situations
- Meeting sales targets and maintaining high shop standards
- Adapting to changes in store layout, product ranges, or company policies
ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges related to working flexible hours, managing customer expectations, and adapting to changes in the retail environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other retail roles, this position offers opportunities for career progression and development within the John Lewis Partnership
- Industry-specific context: The retail industry is competitive and fast-paced, with a focus on providing excellent customer service and driving sales
- Career path comparison: This role can lead to progression into Team Leader, Supervisory, or other head office positions within the John Lewis Partnership
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career progression and development within the John Lewis Partnership, with a focus on providing excellent customer service and driving sales in a competitive retail environment.
📝 Sample Projects
- Creating and implementing a new visual display to showcase a specific product range
- Developing a customer service initiative to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Collaborating with the team to achieve a specific sales target or improve shop standards
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects for this role may involve creating and implementing new visual displays, developing customer service initiatives, or collaborating with the team to achieve specific goals.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30 days?
- How does this role support the overall success of the store and the John Lewis Partnership?
- What opportunities are there for career progression and development within the company?
- How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
ASSUMPTION: Key questions to ask during the interview should focus on the role's priorities, its impact on the company's success, career progression opportunities, work-life balance, and potential challenges.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the John Lewis Partnership careers website
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences, such as customer service, sales, or retail experience
- Prepare examples of when you have gone above and beyond to provide excellent customer service
- Research the John Lewis Partnership and be prepared to discuss your understanding of the brand and its values
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
