At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative products to tackle poverty and inequality.
- Company: Join Oxfam, a global movement dedicated to ending poverty.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping a compelling product strategy.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and driving performance in buying and merchandising.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Oxfam House - Oxford
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Hours: 36 hours per week
Salary: £49,601 with a discretionary range up to £55,744 depending on experience
Job Family: Retail
Division: Engagement
Grade: B
Job Type: Open ended
Closing Date: 5 August 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.
The Role:
Oxfam is seeking a Head of Commercial Product (Sourced by Oxfam & Bought-In Goods) to lead the strategic direction, development, and performance of our product portfolio across retail and digital channels. This role is responsible for shaping and delivering a compelling commercial product strategy that maximises income generation while supporting Oxfam's mission to tackle poverty and inequality worldwide. Leading a team of product and commercial specialists, you will oversee the development, sourcing, and delivery of both Oxfam-sourced and bought-in product ranges, ensuring they are innovative, ethical, customer-focused, and aligned with Oxfam's values.
You will drive product performance across Oxfam's extensive retail network of more than 500 shops and a growing range of online marketplaces, identifying new opportunities for growth, enhancing customer engagement, and ensuring commercial success. As a visible ambassador for the organisation, you will represent Oxfam and Sourced by Oxfam (SBO) both internally and externally, building strong relationships with suppliers, partners, and key stakeholders, and acting as a spokesperson at major industry and sector events.
What we are looking for:
We are looking for a candidate who cares about Oxfam's mission to end poverty and is personally aligned to our feminist principles and values of empowerment, accountability and inclusion in all you do. An ideal candidate for the role will also be / have:
- Experience of managing performance of others and helping people to develop, grow and achieve their potential, including increasing diversity and inclusion in teams and/or workplaces, and creating positive change in work culture, processes and practices.
- Lived experience(s) or evidence of learning/taking action on anti-racism and inequalities.
- Exceptional relationship skills with the ability to quickly build and further maintain strong relationships, both internally and externally.
- Significant experience of leading a high performing buying and merchandising team.
- Creativity, flexibility, vision setting and lateral thinking.
- Strategic thinking and planning, with excellent organisational skills.
- Decisive with a drive to achieve results.
- Proven ability to remain calm and work well under pressure, juggling multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
We offer:
We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including flexible working options, generous pension scheme, annual leave, additional leave allowances, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits. From the day you join Oxfam we invite you to stretch and learn in your role. Our wide range of Learning & Development opportunities includes in-house courses, e-learning modules, on-the-job learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and much more.
Flexfam:
We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we are open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. The role will involve being located at our Oxfam Head Office in Oxford, as well as UK and potentially overseas travel.
How to apply:
As part of your online application, please upload your up-to-date CV and Cover Letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.
Our values and commitment to safeguarding:
Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.
Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants' previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
About us:
Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn't inevitable. It's an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women's rights activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won't stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.
Oxfam GB is a member of an international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.
A thriving diverse Oxfam:
It's people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we're committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.
To do that:
- We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
- We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
- We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.
Head of Commercial Product (Sourced by Oxfam and Bought In Goods) in Oxford employer: All The Top Bananas
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Product (Sourced by Oxfam and Bought In Goods) in Oxford
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
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✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like All The Top Bananas!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Product (Sourced by Oxfam and Bought In Goods) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at All The Top Bananas, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at All The Top Bananas and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show All The Top Bananas that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!