Dispensing Optician Manager
Location: Surrey (Branch-based role)
Contract Type: Permanent, 36.75 hours per week
Salary: £37 - 43K (dependent on experience)
Role Purpose
The Dispensing Optician Manager is a qualified, GOC-registered Dispensing Optician with responsibility for managing both the clinical and operational functions of the branch. This role acts as a key link between clinical excellence, outstanding customer service, and efficient day-to-day operations. It combines hands-on dispensing expertise with team leadership, staff development, branch administration, and commercial performance management.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical & Dispensing Duties
-Deliver high-quality spectacle dispensing, including frame selection, lens recommendations, and accurate measurements.
-Ensure seamless patient journeys through confident three-way handovers with the Optometrist.
-Carry out frame adjustments, repairs (including hearing aids), and manage rechecks or non-tolerances, resolving concerns promptly and escalating where appropriate.
-Manage spectacle orders, liaising with suppliers regarding delays and ensuring accuracy in focimetry and fitting.
-Ensure all branch administration is accurate and efficient, maintaining thorough and up-to-date clinical records in line with GDPR and data protection requirements.
-Support and, where required, supervise a student Dispensing Optician.
Leadership & Management
-Act as a positive ambassador for the organisation, promoting its values, reputation, and commitment to exceptional patient care while fostering an inclusive and motivated team culture.
-Oversee daily branch operations, including opening and closing procedures, alarm systems, cash handling, banking, and keyholder responsibilities.
-Line manage branch team members, approve holidays, and liaise with HR and management regarding rota changes and staffing levels.
-Conduct regular performance and development reviews, supporting staff training, development, and recognition.
-Work with HR to manage sickness and absence, ensuring appropriate documentation and monitoring attendance trends using recognised tools.
Operational & Financial Oversight
-Monitor and manage stock levels, frame representative visits, and stocktake accuracy.
-Track budgets, gross profit, and incentives, and support the Optical Assistant team with weekly returns and invoices.
-Manage refunds, investigate till discrepancies, oversee debt collection processes, and report any suspected fraudulent activity.
-Prepare branch reports for management meetings and communicate operational needs with Head Office teams, including Accounts, HR, and Marketing.
Marketing & Promotion
-Work collaboratively with the Marketing team to support local promotional events, open days, and scheduled campaigns.
-Maintain high standards of personal presentation and practice appearance, ensuring displays, marketing materials, and merchandise are consistently well presented.
-Support marketing activity through website updates, newsletters, social media content, display trays, and recommendation cards.
-Monitor customer feedback and encourage team engagement in marketing initiatives.
Health, Safety & Compliance
-Lead Health & Safety practices within the branch, including emergency procedures, hazard checks, and accident reporting.
-Ensure staff awareness and compliance with GDPR, data protection, and patient confidentiality policies.
-Maintain clinical equipment, including calibration of screeners and scanners, and ensure awareness of AED/defibrillator locations.
-Undertake First Aid training as required.
Qualifications & Experience
-GOC-registered Dispensing Optician
-Level 6 Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing
-Previous spectacle dispensing experience essential
-Previous management experience desirable
Skills & Attributes
-Excellent communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills with a strong customer service focus.
-Ability to delegate, coach, and motivate a team effectively.
-Strong IT skills (e.g. Word, Excel) and organisational abilities.
-Enthusiastic, adaptable, and keen to learn in a role that continues to evolve.
Rewards & Benefits
-Competitive salary dependent on experience
-Continuing education and training support
-CPD events
-Company pension scheme and life assurance
-Incentive scheme
-Staff and family discounts
-33 days' holiday including bank holidays
-Career progression opportunities
-Team-building events
-Company sick pay
-Employee benefits platform
-Employee Assistance Programme
-Cycle to Work scheme
-No Sunday or Bank Holiday working
-Peer support groups
Ready to take the next step in your optical career? Apply today!
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