About us
Broslane Ltd operates the SPAR Express store and Texaco service station in Kilkenny, part of the wider Callan Co-op group. The group includes three service stations with SPAR stores in Callan, Tullow and Kilkenny, a Supermac's franchise, a Homevalue store in Callan, and employs almost 100 colleagues.
We are a people-first business. Our colleagues are the reason our customers come back, and we invest in them accordingly — with training, with support, and with real opportunities to progress.
The opportunity
We are looking for an experienced retail manager to join our busy SPAR Express store and Texaco forecourt in Kilkenny as Assistant Manager. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who can hit the ground running and take genuine ownership of a high-volume site from day one.
Working on a rota opposite the Store Manager, you will take full control of the store's operations in their absence. You will lead the team on shift, drive standards, protect our reputation for excellent customer service, and make sure the store trades safely, legally and profitably every day.
This is a role with real responsibility, and one we want the right person to grow with: we promote from within wherever we can, both in the store and across the wider Callan Co-op group.
Key responsibilities
Store operations
- Take full responsibility for the running of the store and forecourt in the absence of the Store Manager.
- Open and close the premises, complete daily operational checks and hand over clearly between shifts.
- Lead the team on shift — allocating tasks, setting the pace and making sure standards of presentation, cleanliness and availability are met at all times.
- Resolve day-to-day operational issues, including equipment faults, fuel and forecourt matters, deliveries and customer escalations.
- Support the Store Manager with rostering, shift cover and the smooth running of the site across the trading week.
Customer service
- Set the standard for customer service on every shift and coach the team to do the same.
- Handle customer queries and complaints professionally, calmly and to a satisfactory conclusion.
- Champion our values and our commitment to looking after every customer who walks through the door.
Cash and financial control
- Manage all cash handling procedures — tills, floats, safe, lodgements, cash pick-ups and reconciliation.
- Complete daily cash and fuel reconciliation accurately and investigate any variances promptly.
- Control waste, markdowns and shrinkage, and follow all loss-prevention procedures.
- Support the Store Manager in achieving sales, margin and wage-cost targets.
Stock control and ordering
- Place accurate orders to maintain full availability while controlling stock levels and waste.
- Manage deliveries, goods-in checks, invoices, credits and returns.
- Carry out stock counts and investigate discrepancies.
- Implement planograms, promotions and price changes correctly and on time.
Fresh food
- Oversee the fresh food and food-to-go offer — preparation, presentation, availability and quality throughout the day.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety and HACCP requirements, including temperature control, date coding, traceability, allergen information and cleaning schedules.
- Maintain accurate food safety records and lead the team in following correct procedures.
Legal and regulatory compliance
- Ensure the store trades in line with all relevant legislation, including food safety, licensing and the responsible sale of age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco.
- Take responsibility for health and safety on shift — risk assessments, safe working practices, accident and incident reporting, fire safety and forecourt safety procedures.
- Support HR compliance in line with company policy and employment legislation, including accurate time and attendance records, right-to-work documentation, breaks and rest periods.
- Ensure all required training and certification is completed and recorded for the team on shift.
Our team
- Lead by example, supporting a positive, respectful and inclusive working environment.
- Train, coach and develop colleagues, and give clear, constructive feedback.
- Support recruitment, induction and onboarding of new colleagues.
- Support the Store Manager with performance, attendance and people matters, working closely with the People, Culture and Safety Manager where required.
Commercial awareness
- Understand the sales, margin and waste performance of the store and act on what the numbers are telling you.
- Identify opportunities to grow sales, improve the offer and respond to what local customers want.
- Deliver promotions and campaigns fully and on time.
Essential criteria
The following are essential and applications will be assessed against them:
- Proven management experience in a fast-paced, customer-facing retail environment, with clear evidence of running a trading operation and leading a team. Extensive supervisory experience at a senior level will also be considered. Management or senior supervisory experience is a non-negotiable requirement for this role.
- Full availability for late shifts (until 10pm) and for weekend working. The role is predominantly late shifts and weekends, on a rota opposite the Store Manager.
- The confidence and capability to take full responsibility for the site in the Store Manager's absence, from an early stage in your employment.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead, motivate and get the best from a team.
- Ability to work well under pressure, prioritise effectively and make sound decisions.
- Accuracy and integrity in cash handling, stock control and administration.
- A genuine commitment to excellent customer service and to our values as a business.
- Entitlement to work in the Republic of Ireland.
Due to licensing requirements relating to the sale of age-restricted products, applicants must be aged 18 or over.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in convenience retail and/or a forecourt or service station environment.
- Experience of fresh food, deli or food-to-go operations.
- HACCP, manual handling, fire safety or responsible retailing training.
- Familiarity with EPOS, ordering and stock management systems.
- A retail, business or management qualification.
What we offer
- Competitive rate of pay.
- A full-time, permanent position in a stable, well-established local business.
- Structured training and development, including brand and in-house programmes.
- Genuine progression opportunities within the store and across the wider Callan Co-op group.
- Employee Assistance Programme (B-Well), available to you and to your family, offering confidential support 24/7.
- A supportive management team who will back you and invest in your development.
- The chance to be part of a co-operative that is rooted in, and committed to, its local community.
How to apply
Please send your CV, together with a short cover note outlining your supervisory experience and your availability, to [email protected], quoting “Assistant Manager — Kilkenny” in the subject line.
Applications will be reviewed on receipt and immediate interviews are available for suitable candidates.
Broslane Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and we are committed to a recruitment process that is fair, consistent and free from discrimination. If you require any reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply.
All applications are treated in confidence and personal data is processed in line with our privacy notice and applicable data protection law.
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
Work Location: In person
