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- Tasks: Lead and optimise charity retail operations across multiple sites and ecommerce platforms.
- Company: Join ellenor, a compassionate hospice charity making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in charity retail while leading a diverse team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in charity retail management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 40443 - 44094 £ per year.
Salary: £40,443.00 – £44,094.00 per annum
Location: Unit 11, Canal Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2PA
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Sunday
Application deadline: 23 March 2026
Interviews: 1 April 2026
Do you have a minimum of 5 years charity retail experience and are looking for a development opportunity? As Head of Retail, you will have a background in ecommerce operations and experience managing multiple sites. You will lead teams across various locations to optimize ecommerce operations and achieve strategic objectives and targets. ellenor is a hospice charity in Gravesend providing palliative and end-of-life care within the local community. At ellenor, we value inclusivity and focus on providing high-quality services with compassion and care.
We offer professional development opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including a pension scheme (with the option for NHS Pension Scheme members to transfer their pension), an employee assistance program and discounts.
Key responsibilities for the role include:- Strategic & Operational Leadership
- Ensure ecommerce platforms are optimised to maximise online sales and supporter engagement
- Work closely with the Director of Operations to develop and deliver the retail and ecommerce strategy, supporting the organisation’s wider objectives
- Plan, manage, and monitor the annual retail operating budget, taking corrective action where necessary to ensure income targets are achieved
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of retail operations, identifying opportunities for growth, efficiency, and improved customer experience
- Ensure all retail operations are delivered in line with ellenor’s policies, procedures, and strategic plan
- Shop & E-Commerce Management
- Oversee the successful operation of multiple charity shops and ecommerce platforms, ensuring strong financial performance and excellent customer experience
- Support the development and expansion of the retail portfolio including shop acquisitions, shop-fitting, recruitment, and successful shop openings
- Develop effective stock management, merchandising, and visual presentation standards across all retail outlets
- Ensure ecommerce platforms are optimised to maximise online sales and supporter engagement
- Warehouse & Distribution Management
- Implement and maintain robust operational systems, controls, and compliance processes
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the warehouse and distribution hub, ensuring efficient processing, storage, and distribution of donated goods and shop stock
- Ensure effective logistics between donation stations, warehouse, and retail shops, optimising stock flow and minimising waste
- Donation Management & Community Engagement
- Oversee the management of donation stations (bins) across the local area, ensuring they are well maintained, monitored, and generating high-quality donations
- Build strong relationships with local communities, businesses, and partners to promote donation initiatives and maximise contributions
- Ensure donation processes integrate seamlessly with retail operations and fundraising strategies
- Financial & Performance Management
- Manage budgets and monitor financial performance across all retail activities
- Analyse sales and donation data to identify trends, inform strategic decisions, and improve operational efficiency
- Drive Gift Aid income, ensuring processes are compliant and opportunities to maximise income are fully utilised
- Report regularly to senior leadership and trustees on performance, risks, and opportunities
- Lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team of staff and volunteers across multiple locations
- Foster a culture of empowerment, inclusivity, accountability, and high performance
- Ensure effective recruitment, training, and development plans are in place to support operational goals and business growth
- Champion health, safety, and safeguarding across all retail sites and operations
- A minimum of 5 years proven experience leading multi-site retail operations, within the charity or voluntary sector.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing geographically dispersed teams and driving performance
- Experience overseeing warehouse and distribution operations, including logistics, stock management, and team leadership
- Experience managing ecommerce operations and online retail platforms
- A strong understanding of donation operations, including donation stations and volunteer-led processes
- Demonstrable experience managing budgets, analysing financial performance, and delivering income growth
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills
- Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple projects
UK Immigration: ellenor is not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.
Head of Retail in Gravesend employer: ellenor
Contact Detail:
ellenor Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail in Gravesend
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the charity retail sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research ellenor and its mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams and optimised ecommerce operations in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, highlight your experience managing geographically dispersed teams and driving performance. Use stories that demonstrate your ability to foster inclusivity and accountability.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at ellenor and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail in Gravesend
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Retail role. Highlight your charity retail experience and any ecommerce operations you've managed. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at ellenor!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for charity work and how your leadership skills can drive our retail strategy. Let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity with ellenor.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve optimised operations or increased sales in previous roles. We love seeing numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at ellenor
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with key financial metrics related to retail operations. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and driven income growth in your previous roles. This will show that you understand the financial side of running multiple sites.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led diverse teams across different locations. Highlight your approach to motivating staff and volunteers, and how you foster a culture of inclusivity and accountability. This is crucial for a role that involves managing geographically dispersed teams.
✨Ecommerce Expertise is Key
Brush up on your knowledge of ecommerce platforms and online retail strategies. Be ready to discuss specific tactics you've used to optimise online sales and enhance customer engagement. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the ecommerce operations effectively.
✨Community Engagement Matters
Think about how you've built relationships with local communities and businesses in the past. Prepare to share your strategies for promoting donation initiatives and maximising contributions. This aligns perfectly with the charity's mission and will show your commitment to community involvement.