At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in managing a charity shop, driving sales and creating a welcoming environment.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a leading charity supporting sick and homeless pets across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holiday, wellbeing support, and discounts on pet insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while gaining valuable retail management experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail, team leadership, and customer service is essential.
- Other info: Part-time role with a dynamic schedule; perfect for students seeking meaningful work.
The predicted salary is between 8957 - 8957 £ per year.
Assistant Shop Manager – Christchurch
Application Deadline: 20 July 2025
Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement
Employment Type: Permanent – Part Time
Location: Christchurch
Reporting To: Shop Manager
Compensation: £8,957 / year
Description
Closing date: Sunday 20th July 2025
More about the role
This store really needs someone who understands the local community and can work to build a solid customer base and network of generous donors. Every item sold helps fund our vital work: supporting sick, injured, and homeless pets and caring for over 40,000 animals each year through our rehoming, veterinary, and education programmes.
We\’re looking for a positive role model to join our leadership team, guiding our team of volunteers in creating a friendly and welcoming shopping experience. We\’d like you to have experience of managing others and have creative ways to lead and motivate a team to achieve maximum success. In this role, you will be supporting the recruitment and training of new volunteers, sharing your knowledge of merchandising and provide a quality customer service to those both purchasing and donating.
You could be a current team leader or supervisor, looking to take on more management responsibility or you could be an experienced manager (or deputy) looking for a new challenge. We want to hear from you to see if we are the employer for you!
Our shop is open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 till 17:00 and your normal working pattern may change each week, subject to the needs of the business and the levels of staff and volunteers available to work. This working pattern includes weekends and bank holidays so having the ability to be flexible is essential, and you may also be required to support with additional holiday and sickness cover.
About you
- Previous experience of working in a retail environment
- Cash handling and reconciliation experience
- Experience of leading a team
- Experience of providing great customer experience
- Computer and administration skills
- Managing volunteers
- Experience of fundraising
Blue Cross benefits
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
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Assistant Shop Manager - Christchurch employer: Blue Cross For Pets
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross For Pets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager - Christchurch
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local community in Christchurch. Understanding the demographics and preferences of the shoppers can help you connect better during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to enhancing the shopping experience.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you motivated volunteers or staff, as this will resonate well with our values.
✨Tip Number 3
Research our charity's mission and the impact we have on the community. Being able to articulate how your role as Assistant Shop Manager contributes to our goals will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with cash handling and customer service. Highlighting your ability to manage transactions smoothly while providing excellent service will be crucial for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shop Manager - Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in retail management and leadership. Emphasise any roles where you have led a team or provided excellent customer service, as these are key aspects of the Assistant Shop Manager position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the charity's mission. Mention your understanding of the local community and how you can contribute to building a solid customer base and network of donors.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your skills in cash handling, team leadership, and customer experience. If you have experience managing volunteers or fundraising, be sure to include that as well, as it will strengthen your application.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you complete the online application process as instructed. Double-check that all required documents are uploaded and that your application is submitted before the deadline on 20 July 2025.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross For Pets
✨Know the Community
Familiarise yourself with the local community in Christchurch. Understand its history, demographics, and what makes it unique. This knowledge will help you connect with potential customers and donors during the interview.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Highlight your experience in motivating volunteers and staff, as well as any creative strategies you've implemented to boost team morale and performance.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Experience
Be ready to discuss your approach to providing excellent customer service. Share specific instances where you went above and beyond to ensure a positive shopping experience for customers, especially in a retail environment.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since the role requires flexibility in working hours, be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to changing schedules. Mention any previous experiences where you successfully managed varying work patterns.