At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant shop, drive sales, and manage a café while supporting the fight against homelessness.
- Company: Crisis, the national charity dedicated to ending homelessness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and interest-free loans for travel.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and contribute to meaningful change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your retail skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 28600 £ per year.
Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness.
Location: Shop from Crisis, 19 Stroud Green Rd, Finsbury Park, N4 3FB
Hours: 40 hours per week, five days over a seven-day rota
This is a role for a retailer who wants their commercial instincts and creativity to count for something. You will run your shop as if it were your own business: setting the standard on the shop floor, making smart, quick decisions on pricing, stock and merchandising, and spotting the opportunities others miss. That might be a window that stops people in their tracks, a local partnership that brings in quality donations, or an event that draws in a whole new crowd.
You will lead a team of paid staff and volunteers, creating a shop that is vibrant and fun to shop, work and volunteer in. You will have genuine autonomy, ambitious sales, donations and volunteering targets, and the backing to go after them. This includes overseeing the day-to-day management of the instore cafe.
Your shop will also be one of the most visible parts of Crisis in your community. Every conversation with a customer, donor or volunteer is a chance to challenge assumptions about homelessness and to bring more people into the movement to end it.
- Drive sales and profitability in the shop and cafe, using your trading data to decide what to change and when.
- Build a strong flow of quality donations and volunteers through local networks, partnerships and events.
- Lead, coach and develop staff and volunteers, including people gaining work experience as part of their journey out of homelessness.
- Keep your shop visually inspiring, with windows and displays that bring the Crisis Shops brand to life.
- Run a safe, compliant and well-organised shop, from stock processing to cash handling.
You will be part of a close-knit network of shop managers who share ideas and what is working, supported by your Area Manager, with real investment in your training and development.
You are an experienced charity retail manager with a track record of growing sales and leading teams that perform. You understand the numbers behind a shop and you know how to move them. You are creative: you can see the potential in a rail of stock, an empty window or a quiet Tuesday afternoon, and you have the ideas and energy to make something of it.
You may be running a shop for another well-known charity or a high street retailer, or you may come from independent or vintage retail. Many of our managers joined us because they wanted more scope to shape their own shop and to see the difference their results make. What matters most is that you are commercially sharp, people-focused, and motivated by the idea of your success directly helping to end homelessness.
We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.
Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness. Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.
A competitive salary. Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
- Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
- 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career. When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.
Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Shop Manager - Full Time or Part Time in London employer: Crisis
Crisis is an exceptional employer that not only offers a meaningful role in tackling homelessness but also fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. Employees benefit from comprehensive training, opportunities for personal and professional growth, and the chance to make a real difference in people's lives while working alongside passionate colleagues and dedicated volunteers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shop Manager - Full Time or Part Time in London
✨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 Crisis, 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 Crisis!
We think you need these skills to ace Shop Manager - Full Time or Part Time in London
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 Crisis, 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 Crisis 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 Crisis that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crisis
✨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!
