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- Tasks: Lead and innovate in retail operations, driving growth and community engagement.
- Company: Join ellenor, a compassionate hospice charity making a difference in Gravesend.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, pension options, and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while leading a diverse team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in retail leadership, strong communication, and financial management skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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
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, discount schemes, a generous annual leave allowance, and much more.
Application deadline: 23 March 2026. Interviews: 1 April 2026.
Responsibilities
- Strategic & Operational Leadership
- 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
- 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
- Implement and maintain robust operational systems, controls, and compliance processes
- 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
- People Leadership & Culture
- 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
Essential Requirements
- A minimum of 5 years proven experience leading multi-site retail operations, ideally 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
How to Apply
Apply via the application form on our website or by submitting a CV and cover letter. Please note: CVs submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
For informal enquiries, please contact 01474 320007.
Head of Retail employer: ellenor
Contact Detail:
ellenor Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Retail
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and charity sectors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help us tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities of the Head of Retail position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Retail
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Retail position. Highlight your relevant experience in retail operations, leadership, and community engagement. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at ellenor!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and manage budgets. Use numbers and examples to illustrate your impact – we love seeing quantifiable results!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value inclusivity and compassion, so don’t hesitate to share your passion for retail and community work. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your materials correctly. Plus, it helps us keep track of applications efficiently. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at ellenor
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with the financial aspects of retail operations. Brush up on budget management and be ready to discuss how you've driven income growth in previous roles. This will show that you understand the financial side of the Head of Retail position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led diverse teams, especially in multi-site operations. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your ability to foster a culture of empowerment and inclusivity.
✨Understand the Community Impact
Research ellenor’s community engagement initiatives and be ready to discuss how you can enhance these efforts. Highlight any past experiences where you’ve built strong relationships with local communities or businesses to promote donation initiatives.
✨E-Commerce Savvy
Since e-commerce is a key part of this role, come prepared to talk about your experience with online retail platforms. Share specific strategies you've implemented to optimise sales and improve customer engagement online, as this will be crucial for the role.