At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team, manage sales, and create a welcoming shop environment.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a charity dedicated to helping pets and their owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Retail management experience and excellent people skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 25000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 23 June 2026
Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Marlborough
Reporting To: Area Manager
Compensation: £25,000 / year
Description Contract: Permanent, full time (35 hours over 5 days p/week)
Salary: Circa £25,000 p/annum
Location: Marlborough, SN8 1LZ
Closing date: Tuesday 23 June 2026
Charity shops are the in-place to shop and in 2026 and we want you to join us at our store in Marlborough! By joining our team, you will be working within the local community and keeping people and their pets at the heart of everything that we do.
More about the role:
- As Shop Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind our friendly and committed team.
- You’ll lead and motivate staff and volunteers, recruit new people to the shop and make sure everyone feels trained and confident in their roles.
- Working closely with your Assistant Manager, you’ll keep communication clear and create a positive, energetic environment for the whole team.
- You’ll take ownership of sales and profit, working with your Area Manager to plan income targets and keep costs under control.
- You’ll champion Gift Aid, ensure accurate pricing and bring creative ideas to in‑store fundraising so the shop continues to grow.
- Stock will be a big focus, encouraging local donations, keeping displays fresh, maintaining high merchandising standards and making sure the shop is always clean and inviting.
- You’ll also oversee new goods, stock‑takes and day‑to‑day processes that keep everything running smoothly.
- Above all, you’ll set the tone for outstanding customer service.
- You’ll create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, deal with any issues calmly and build strong community connections that help increase donations.
- As an ambassador for Blue Cross, you’ll represent our values with confidence and care.
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.
About you:
Essential qualifications, skills, and experience:
- Retail management experience
- Commercial awareness to deliver sales
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong external relationships.
- Good IT skills and a basic understanding of finance
- Good people management skills
- Excellent customer service skills
It would also be great if you had:
- Full driving licence
- Experience of working with volunteers
How to apply:
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.
Blue Cross benefits:
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
Our generous benefits package includes:
- 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
- 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
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the "why work for us" page on our website.
Shop Manager - Marlborough employer: Blue Cross For Pets
At Blue Cross, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and vibrant work culture in the heart of Marlborough. As a Shop Manager, you will not only lead a dedicated team but also enjoy generous benefits such as up to 43 days of holiday, comprehensive wellbeing support, and opportunities for professional development, all while making a meaningful impact in your community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shop Manager - Marlborough
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Blue Cross For Pets.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Blue Cross For Pets.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Blue Cross For Pets.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Blue Cross For Pets. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Shop Manager - Marlborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Blue Cross For Pets. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Shop Manager - Marlborough, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross For Pets
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Blue Cross For Pets. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
