At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise charity shops, maximise income from donations, and support vulnerable individuals.
- Company: Age UK Manchester, dedicated to improving lives of older people in hardship.
- Benefits: Salary of £28,000, 35-hour week, and fulfilling work making a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to innovate and engage with the community.
- Why this job: Join a rewarding role that directly impacts the lives of those in need.
- Qualifications: Retail experience, driving licence, and empathy for those facing hardship.
Age UK Manchester are looking for a talented and dedicated person who has a flair for charity retail and a desire to directly make a difference to the lives of people who are living in hardship. As our Retail and Social Support Manager, you will supervise the running of our small chain of charity shops in Manchester that sell donated goods (both in the shops and online). Proceeds from our shops directly support projects that improve the lives of older people and their carers across the city by funding care, support, information and advice and opportunities to make friends and socialise.
As a part of this varied and rewarding role, you will also be able to make a difference at first hand, as our shops team directly support the work of our citywide Home from Hospital service, supplying essential household items to people who are experiencing hardship, and helping with practical tasks like moving furniture to accommodate medical equipment in the home.
This is a varied role that comes with a good deal of job satisfaction. 35 Hour week (normally worked Monday to Friday) Salary £28,000 per annum.
Purpose of role:
- To provide day-to-day supervision and support to the retail team, both staff and volunteers.
- To ensure that income generated through donated items is maximised for the benefit of Age UK Manchester and the people it supports.
- To be innovative in terms of ideas to promote our shops and their sales of donated goods and to ensure that our shops are welcoming and attractive to customers.
- To demonstrate a sound understanding of the most appropriate selling platforms for specific donated items and to make best use of social media to highlight events and special items available for sale.
- To ensure that adequate cover is in place to ensure that shops are accessible to the public during all scheduled opening times.
- To organise and help with the delivery of pop-up shops at our Day Centre’s and other venues to make the experience of shopping with Age UK Manchester more accessible.
- To support the work of the Home from Hospital Team by quickly sourcing essential items for clients facing hardship and substantial levels of need.
- To arrange and support the collection of donated items in a timely way and to deal with any issues that might affect the prompt collection of donated items.
- To report to the Business Development Manager weekly on figures and general trends.
- To collate information and process claims for gift aid.
- To act at all times as a representative of the organisation and to behave in a way that is friendly and professional.
Person specification:
- The successful applicant should demonstrate that they have experience in a retail setting.
- The ability to drive and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
- A sound understanding of online selling platforms and how to use these to best advantage in terms of reselling donated goods.
- Experience of managing staff, volunteers and resources.
- Empathy for people who are living in difficult circumstances and a commitment to improving their quality of life.
- A “can do” approach to their work offering flexibility, reliability and readiness to respond positively to opportunities that will benefit the charity and its work with older people.
Retail & Social Support Manager in Manchester employer: Age UK Manchester
Age UK Manchester is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling opportunity for those passionate about charity retail and making a tangible difference in the lives of older people facing hardship. With a supportive work culture that values innovation and community impact, employees benefit from a collaborative environment, opportunities for personal growth, and the satisfaction of directly contributing to vital services in Manchester. Join us in creating a welcoming atmosphere in our charity shops while supporting essential projects that enhance the quality of life for our clients.
