At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a brand new charity shop, ensuring excellent customer service and team motivation.
- Company: Join Guild Care, a community-focused charity with over 90 years of history.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, wellbeing days, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your retail management skills.
- Qualifications: Retail management experience and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29500 - 41000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has opened up to lead our brand new, two-floor Guild Care charity shop coming soon in the heart of Worthing High Street. Do you have a considerable amount of recent retail management experience in a fast‑paced environment? Are you an excellent communicator who can deliver high class customer service while leading and inspiring a team and positive environment? Would you describe yourself as a creative person who is strategic and a forward thinker? Are you ready to take your retail management skills to the next level and make a real impact - this is an all encompassing role, managing both floors of this new superstore.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Store Manager with a passion for retail, people, and making a real difference in the community. This is an exciting chance to take ownership of a brand‑new store in a prime location - leading the full operation, shaping its culture, and becoming the welcoming face of Guild Care on the high street.
Why Join Guild Care?
At Guild Care, we believe in putting people first—our clients and our team. We offer a warm, inclusive, and supportive working environment, where staff are encouraged to grow, develop, and thrive.
We offer competitive salary and benefits including:
- Annual Wellbeing Day off
- Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential advice on wellbeing, family, debt, and more)
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Free Specsavers eye care vouchers
- Option to buy and sell annual leave
- Health cash plan (silver and gold)
Interested? If you’re passionate about retail, have the experience and want to be part of something new and exciting in your community, we’d love to hear from you.
About The Role
As Store Manager, you will oversee the smooth and effective running of a brand new, busy two-floor retail environment. You will deliver an exceptional customer experience, ensure excellent standards of merchandising and stock management, and lead a dedicated diverse team of staff and volunteers. This is a hands-on, fast-paced role where creativity, strong leadership and high standards are essential. You will motivate your team making it a positive, inclusive and fun environment for them to work in. You will maintain an engaging shopping environment, maximise sales, and help raise awareness of Guild Care's work supporting people in the Worthing community.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day operation of the shop across both floors.
- Manage and process stock, including deliveries and donations.
- Ensure outstanding visual merchandising and high standards of cleanliness.
- Rotate and manage stock in line with Area Manager guidance.
- Maintain safe, secure procedures for stock, cash handling, banking and tills.
- Work to agreed income, sales, and expense budgets.
- Plan and deliver in-store promotions, special events and community engagement activities (including some out-of-hours work).
- Ensure full compliance with health & safety and trading standards.
- Deliver exceptional customer service at all times.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Significant experience in retail management.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to take responsibility, use initiative and work independently.
- Good literacy and numeracy skills.
- Outstanding customer service approach.
- Strong organisational and planning ability.
- Experience working to budgets and targets (including forecasting, reporting and reviewing).
- Confident IT and administrative skills.
- Flexible and adaptable attitude.
- Ability to undertake reasonable lifting duties.
- Ability to provide a satisfactory DBS check.
Required Criteria
- Proven retail or store management experience with a track record of hitting sales targets.
- Excellent customer service and communication skills.
- IT-savvy, flexible, and ready to roll up your sleeves.
- A can-do attitude and the ability to work independently.
- Team leadership skills ensuring a smooth, positive and fun environment.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
Desired Criteria
- Charity shop management experience.
- Health & Safety and compliance skills.
About The Company
Guild Care was founded in Worthing in 1933 by visionary volunteers dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals in the local community. Originally known as Worthing Council of Social Service, the organisation focused on alleviating poverty, isolation, and health challenges during difficult times. Over the following decades, Guild Care consistently expanded its services, proactively responding to the community's evolving needs.
Today, Guild Care supports over 3,000 people annually across West Sussex through a range of community-focused services. Remaining true to its founding values, the organisation is one of Worthing's largest employers, powered by almost 700 dedicated staff members and the essential contributions of more than 300 volunteers, all united in making a meaningful difference.
Company Culture
Our vision is for all people in need of care to live fulfilling, safe and secure lives. Our mission is to ensure our support and services are accessible, effective and lovingly delivered.
At Guild Care, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and equality. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and enables us to better serve our community.
Join us in our mission to make a positive difference in people's lives.
Company Benefits
At Guild Care, we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees in every aspect of their lives—financially, professionally, and personally.
- Your wellbeing is our priority. Staff benefit from an annual Wellbeing Day, free flu vaccinations, and confidential support through the BHSF Employee Assistance Programme.
- We understand the importance of flexibility, offering favourable holiday terms, flexible working options, homeworking opportunities, and carers' leave to help you balance work with life's demands.
- At Guild Care, your career growth is important to us. We provide progressive career pathways, mandatory training programmes, in-house learning opportunities, and access to professional qualifications, including accredited programmes and the Care Certificate.
Join us and be part of something extraordinary.
Salary
£36,669.00 per year
Retail Manager | Montague Street, Worthing | 36,669 F/T 37.5hours employer: Guild Care
Guild Care is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant heart of Worthing, offering a warm and inclusive work environment where employees are encouraged to grow and thrive. With a strong focus on community impact, competitive benefits such as an annual Wellbeing Day, and opportunities for professional development, Guild Care fosters a culture that values every team member's contribution while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Manager | Montague Street, Worthing | 36,669 F/T 37.5hours
✨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 Guild Care, 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 Guild Care!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Manager | Montague Street, Worthing | 36,669 F/T 37.5hours
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 Guild Care, 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 Guild Care 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 Guild Care that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Guild Care
✨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!
