Assistant Store Manager (Retail)
Boots
Estimated pay: £23.2k-30.0k per year
Plymouth, Drake Circus
Full time
The Breakroom Take
- People enjoy this job
- Pays all ages fairly
- Recommended by students
- Respectful managers
- Proper breaks
About Boots
Boots is a retailer. They sell health, beauty and pharmaceutical products.
Job description from Boots
About the role
As an Assistant Manager at Boots Opticians you will lead and inspire your team to deliver an exemplary customer journey. You will play an important role within your store, working closely with the Store Manager, to create and deliver the commercial plan to help the business to grow and change for the better.
Working across the whole store, your days will be full of variety. You will be involved in everything from customer service, store operations as well as the clinical activities which include: patient pre-screening, dispensing, accuracy checks and much more.
You will manage a team with a variety of experience and clinical knowledge, providing you with the opportunity to help them develop their knowledge, skills and shape their future careers. This also includes completing management tasks such as creating and maintaining rotas, return to work reviews and performance management.
We will support you in completing our industry leading 'Step into Optics' training programme along to help you to develop your clinical knowledge. With leadership training programmes also available, we are committed to helping you develop and carve out a career at Boots Opticians.
What you'll need to have
• Experience working in a customer facing role
• Desire to learn
• Led or coached a team
It would be great if you also have
• Experience working in a clinical environment
Our benefits
- Discretionary Quarterly bonus
- Generous employee discounts for you and a second person (terms and conditions apply)
- Clinical and Non-Clinical Career development opportunities
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay and gift card for anyone expecting or adopting a child
- Flexible benefits scheme including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, life assurance, activity passes and more.
- Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.
Why Boots Opticians
At Boots Opticians, we foster a working environment where consideration and inclusivity help everyone to be themselves and reach their full potential. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, passionate about embracing the diversity of our colleagues and providing a positive and inclusive working environment for all. Join our team and let's see what's possible when we change for the better.
What's next
Thank you for taking the time to visit our careers page and read about this exciting opportunity. If you choose to apply, your application will be reviewed by our team and we will contact you as soon as we can. If successful, we will contact you to arrange an interview with the hiring manager.
We are always open to discussing possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you, including job share and reduced hours. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best.
Boots is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis.
What employees say
Pay
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Good
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Most people are paid a living wage
Do Boots pay assistant managers enough to live on?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
96% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Okay
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Only some people are paid market rates
Do Boots pay assistant managers market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
48% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do assistant managers at Boots get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
96% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Okay
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Only some people get sick pay
Do Boots pay assistant managers sick pay?
Sometimes. Only some people get proper sick pay.
How we know this
55% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do assistant managers at Boots do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
44% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 27 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Needs improving
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do assistant managers get of their shift pattern at Boots?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 28% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 21% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 21% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 31% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do assistant managers at Boots worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
85% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and February 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do assistant managers at Boots get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
54% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for assistant managers at Boots to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
48% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 27 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and February 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for assistant managers to book a holiday at Boots?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
67% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do Boots managers change assistant managers shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
44% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for assistant managers to take sick leave at Boots?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
49% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working as assistant managers at Boots good if you have caring responsibilities?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
64% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and September 2024.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do assistant managers at Boots feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
70% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 44 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do assistant managers at Boots get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
52% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for assistant managers to work at Boots?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
83% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do assistant managers at Boots enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
44% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do assistant managers at Boots recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
53% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do assistant managers get enough training when they start at Boots?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
45% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Good
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Most people get support to progress
Are assistant managers given support to progress at Boots?
Most people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 67% of people report being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do assistant managers think Boots head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
86% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do assistant managers feel well informed about how Boots is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
36% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 45 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Boots employees say about their job
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Best thing
The staff are the best thing
Worst thing
Not enough staff for the work that needs doing
Customer adviser at Boots, March 2025
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Best thing
Helping people
Worst thing
The responsibilies I am
Given but not given any creditPharmacy dispenser at Boots, December 2024
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About this pay
CloseEstimated pay
This pay estimate is based on data from 51 Boots employees who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2023 and March 2025.
Take the Breakroom Quiz to compare your job.