Niwaki brings beautifully made Japanese garden tools, and the craft and philosophy behind them, to gardeners around the world. Our Chiltern Street shop is a small, characterful space where customers come to browse, ask questions, and leave with tools they’ll use for a lifetime. We’re looking for an Assistant Manager to help run it — someone who loves great products, genuinely enjoys people, and takes pride in a job done properly.

Why you’ll enjoy working here
• A genuinely distinctive product — you’ll become the expert on tools people are proud to own.
• A small, close-knit team where your judgement and ideas are noticed.
• Real responsibility early on — you’ll run the store solo when the Manager is away.
• Staff discount on the full Niwaki range.
• Ongoing product and craft training, with the chance to represent Niwaki at events like The Chelsea Flower Show.
• A supportive, down-to-earth culture — we back each other and don’t take ourselves too seriously.

The role
You’ll support the Store Manager in running Chiltern Street day to day, keeping standards high, and making sure every customer gets the kind of service Niwaki is known for. It’s a hands-on role: half the time you’re on the shop floor selling and advising, and half the time you’re supervising, organising, and taking charge when the Manager isn’t there. We’re after someone who leads by example, backs up colleagues, and can be trusted to make good decisions within the store’s agreed procedures and authority.

What you’ll do:

Look after customers
• Greet and help customers with knowledgeable, attentive, unhurried service.
• Get to know what customers actually need, build relationships, and recommend the right product — not just any product.
• Bring the story behind Niwaki’s tools to life: the quality, the design, the craft.
• Liaise with our HQ customer service and the warehouse on orders, deliveries and logistics.
• Take ownership of resolving issues and keeping customers in the loop.

Support the Store Manager
• Help deliver the store’s daily priorities and see delegated tasks through reliably.
• Keep the shop floor organised and colleagues clear on what needs doing.
• Supervise and coach colleagues on shifts you’re running.
• Set the tone on service, product knowledge, presentation and punctuality.
• Help keep the working atmosphere positive and productive.

Run the store, when needed
When the Store Manager is away, you’re in charge — safely, securely, and within agreed procedures. That covers:
• Opening and closing the store independently when authorised.
• Store security, health & safety, and responding to incidents or first aid situations.
• Till floats, cash handling and banking, in line with company procedure.
• Handling customer complaints and day-to-day operational issues.
• Setting the day’s priorities and delegating sensibly.
• Knowing when to escalate — flagging anything significant or unusual to the Store Manager.

Stock, presentation and standards
• Help keep stock levels accurate and flag what needs replenishing.
• Carry out stock checks and replenishment as directed.
• Keep the stockroom and shop floor tidy, organised and efficient.
• Maintain the Niwaki look and feel throughout the store.
• Spot and fix routine issues on the sales floor; report anything bigger.

Commercial awareness
• Stay on top of sales targets, product performance and commercial priorities.
• Pass on useful customer feedback and ideas to the Store Manager and HQ.
• Bring your own ideas for improving how the store performs.

What we’re looking for:
Essential
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Retail experience, including supporting or supervising others.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise.
• A reliable, responsible approach to procedures, security and cash handling.
• Solid IT, admin and attention-to-detail skills.
• Commercial awareness and a genuine interest in learning the product.
• A positive, flexible, can-do attitude.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.

Desirable
• Previous supervisory or assistant management experience.
• An up-to-date first aid certificate.
• Experience with stock management and retail reporting.
• Able to travel to Niwaki HQ and shows occasionally.

A few other things
• Reasonable ad hoc duties as needed — we’re a small team and we pitch in where it helps.
• Occasional work at other Niwaki locations, HQ, or shows.
• A voice in how we do things — we’re always evolving and welcome ideas.
• Familiarity with, and adherence to, company policies and procedures.

Pay: from £31,518 per year
Hours: 37.5 per week, Full Time, including weekends
Reporting to: Store Manager
Work Location: In person, London, W1U 7QL

How to apply
Send your CV and a short note on why Niwaki to careers@niwaki.com. We’d love to hear from you.

The closing date for applications is 30 September 2026, but we may close the vacancy early if we receive an application from a suitable candidate before then.

Benefits:
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Sick pay