At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team, maximise sales, and ensure top-notch customer service in our charity shop.
- Company: Join Devon Air Ambulance, a community-focused charity with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including weekends, with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Retail or customer service experience and strong communication skills are essential.
Salary: £21,038.49 per annum (based on a full time equivalent of £26,298.11 per annum or £13.45 per hour)
Hours: 30 hours per week – flexible, but will include weekends and bank holidays
Location: Bideford
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity to come and work with us as part of our Retail Team, based at our Bideford shop. We are seeking an organised and enthusiastic Assistant Manager to join us 4 days per week. Working closely with the Shop Manager, you will play a key role in leading the team, maximising sales and ensuring that the highest level of customer service is consistently delivered. Daily tasks may include:
- Providing cover for the Manager in their absence
- Supporting and guiding volunteers in the day to day running of the shop
- Stock control, sorting and rotation
- Displaying goods effectively, including creative displays and maintaining the shop's appearance
- Sorting and preparing unsaleable items for recycling or waste
- Facilitating and processing Gift Aid
The Candidate
We’re looking for someone who is self-motivated and has excellent interpersonal communication and customer care skills. Previous experience in retail and/or customer service environment is required with good problem-solving ability and a readiness for the ever-changing challenge that is charity retailing!
If you are looking for a new challenge that makes a real difference to the local community, we want to hear from you!
The Package
£13.45 per Hour. As a valued member of the team you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata), rising to 27 days with length of service
- Occupational Maternity/Paternity & Adoption leave
- Buying annual leave
- Paid time off for fertility treatment
- Pension scheme, 6% employer contributions
- Occupational sick pay scheme
- Counselling and financial wellbeing services
Find out more about your benefits here.
Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience and career.
More Information and How to Apply
To apply, please visit our careers page here, scroll down to 'Charity Shop Assistant Manager - Bideford' and click 'Apply for this job'. The closing date for applications is Monday 24th August 2026 at 9am. Interviews will be held at our Barnstaple Shop on Tuesday 1st September 2026.
If you would like to find out more information about the role, or speak to one of the Retail team, please contact us at recruitment@daat.org.
Devon Air Ambulance are a Disability Confident Level 1 employer, we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. We encourage applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment journey. If you require any accommodations, please let us know.
We recognise that candidates may use AI tools to support their application, for example to improve clarity, structure, or presentation. However, we value authenticity and expect candidates to retain accountability for the content of their application, and for all submissions to reflect the candidate’s own experience and skills and be an honest representation of their capabilities.
Please be assured that we do not use AI to make shortlisting or hiring decisions.
*Please note that interview dates are likely but are subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Due to the nature of this role, offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check and references.
Disclaimer: Devon Air Ambulance reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date if a high number of applications are received. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unfortunately unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Charity Shop Assistant Manager in Bideford employer: Devon Air Ambulance
Join Devon Air Ambulance as a Charity Shop Assistant Manager in Kingsbridge, where you will be part of a dedicated team making a real difference in the local community. Enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing with generous benefits, including 25 days annual leave, occupational sick pay, and opportunities for personal development. This role not only offers flexible working hours but also allows you to lead and inspire volunteers while enhancing your retail management skills in a meaningful environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Charity Shop Assistant Manager in Bideford
✨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 Devon Air Ambulance, 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 Devon Air Ambulance!
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 Devon Air Ambulance, 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 Devon Air Ambulance 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 Devon Air Ambulance that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Devon Air Ambulance
✨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!
