At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive efficiency and value in retail operations while supporting new shop openings.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a charity transforming lives through pre-loved treasures.
- Benefits: 38 days holiday, wellbeing support, pension scheme, and professional development.
- Other info: Flexible locations in Worcestershire or Oxfordshire with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for pets and people while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in site acquisition, project management, and strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
At Blue Cross, our shops do more than sell pre-loved treasures - they help fund vital care for pets in need.
Every new shop means more tails wagging, more purrs of comfort and more lives transformed.
We're looking for someone who can spot a great opportunity, loves a challenge and wants to use their property and retail experience to make a real difference.
More about the role In this varied and hands-on role, you'll play a key part in driving efficiency and value across our national retail estate.
Working closely with the Group Head of Fundraising and Retail and the Retail Operations Manager, you'll identify opportunities to reduce costs, streamline processes, and maximise the return on every pound we spend across our property portfolio You'll collaborate with colleagues across the charity to ensure robust management of our leasing and property spend Alongside this, you'll lead on identifying and assessing new shop locations, managing relationships with agents and landlords, and supporting lease negotiations to secure the most favourable terms.
You'll conduct site visits, prepare clear business cases and performance reports, and ensure new shop openings are delivered on time and within budget.
You'll also help existing shops reach their full potential through thoughtful planning, performance analysis, and well-managed refurbishment projects that balance commercial benefit with brand impact.
Every efficiency you deliver and every new shop you help open contributes directly to the vital work Blue Cross does.
This is an opportunity to make a real, measurable difference while ensuring our resources go further for the pets and people who rely on us most.
Please note this is one vacancy that will be advertised under multiple locations.
The successful candidate can be based at either our Hartlebury Retail Office, Worcestershire, or our offices in Burford, Oxfordshire.
Ideally, you'll have some experience in site acquisition or commercial property evaluation, along with strong organisational and project management skills.
You'll understand what makes a shop profitable and sustainable, and you're confident working across different teams to make things happen.
- A full driving licence is a must.,
- Demonstrable experience of site acquisition or commercial property evaluation.
- Proven ability to assess locations based on financial, operational and community potential.
- Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple projects and documentation.
- Financial competence, including understanding of gross and net income, breakeven analysis, and retail forecasting.
- Demonstrable project management experience, from planning through to delivery.
- Experience of working with agents, landlords and third-party contractors.
- A full driving licence and willingness to travel extensively, Experience within charity retail, particularly in site planning or shop development.
- Familiarity with Health and Safety compliance in a retail environment, including fire safety, asbestos and risk assessments.
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
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.
- 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 Met Life- 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
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Retail Development Support in Carterton employer: Blue Cross
Blue Cross is an exceptional employer, dedicated to creating a supportive and fulfilling work environment for its employees. Located in the heart of Hertfordshire, the role of Adoption Coordinator offers not only a competitive salary but also a generous benefits package that includes extensive holiday entitlement, wellbeing support, and opportunities for professional development. With a strong focus on employee happiness and a culture that values resilience and empathy, Blue Cross empowers its staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of pets and their new families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Development Support in Carterton
✨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!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Blue Cross, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨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 Blue Cross!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Development Support in Carterton
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 Blue Cross, 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 Blue Cross 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 Blue Cross that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross
✨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!
