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- Tasks: Coordinate and support Oxfam shops, ensuring smooth operations and maximising income.
- Company: Join Oxfam, a charity with a rich history of community impact since 1948.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, travel expenses covered, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your retail management skills.
- Qualifications: Retail or operational management experience and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with extensive travel across Kent and East Sussex.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
This range is provided by Oxfam. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
About Oxfam Shops
Open for business since 1948, Oxfam shops are at the heart of the charity and their community, raising vital funds and increasing public awareness of what we do. They are always guided by our values of empowerment, accountability and inclusiveness and focused on making as much money as possible.
Join Our Vibrant Retail Team and Make a Difference!
At Oxfam, our shops have been at the heart of our charity since 1948, contributing significantly to our mission. Our shops play a crucial role in raising funds and increasing public awareness of our impactful work, guided by values of empowerment, accountability, and inclusiveness.
Team Purpose
Join our dynamic team with the purpose of maximising income through retail sales, adhering to the retail strategy and embracing growth opportunities. As a member of this team, you will contribute to the heart of the charity and community, guided by values of empowerment, accountability, and inclusiveness. Your role is to be commercially aware, creative, and innovative to make a significant impact.
Job Purpose
As a key member of the area team, your role is to coordinate and provide operational support to our shops within a defined geographical area. Covering short-term shop manager absences, you will ensure uninterrupted trading and maximise income generation. No two days are the same – expect variety and collaboration with diverse communities. This role is a fantastic stretch opportunity for those with shop manager experience, serving as a potential stepping stone toward an area manager role.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and maintain inclusive, respectful, and safe environments in the shops.
- Collaborate with Area Manager and shop managers to allocate shop cover effectively.
- Build trusting relationships in each shop to maintain engaged and motivated teams.
- Maximise Net Sales Contribution (NSC) and Gift Aid (GA) in all covered shops to agreed targets.
- Deliver continuous improvement support against specific KPIs.
- Develop and deliver a framework for feedback and handovers.
- Actively contribute to the local community and wider Retail network.
Qualifications
- Previous retail or operational management experience.
- Agile and adaptable working style.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
This role will support shop cover in our Oxfam shop network across Kent and into East Sussex. Whilst travel expenses out of the base shop will be covered, candidates will need to be both willing and able to commit to extensive travel across this defined geographic region.
Our Values and Commitment to Safeguarding
Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
How to apply
As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will also be subject to extensive background checking, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), as this role involves unsupervised access to the above-mentioned groups.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Other, Customer Service, and Supply Chain
Industries: Non-profit Organizations, Retail, and Retail Apparel and Fashion
Area Shop Support Manager - Home Counties (Kent) employer: Oxfam
Contact Detail:
Oxfam Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Shop Support Manager - Home Counties (Kent)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail sector, especially those who have experience with Oxfam or similar organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider tips and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Oxfam's values and recent initiatives. Show us how your skills align with their mission of empowerment and inclusiveness. We want to see your passion for making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, especially when discussing your retail management experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the role and appreciate the opportunity to chat.
We think you need these skills to ace Area Shop Support Manager - Home Counties (Kent)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Area Shop Support Manager. Highlight your retail or operational management experience and any relevant skills that align with Oxfam's values of empowerment, accountability, and inclusiveness.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain how your experience makes you a great fit for the role and how you can contribute to maximising income and supporting the shops. Be sure to mention your adaptability and communication skills.
Show Your Passion for the Cause: Oxfam is all about making a difference, so let your passion for charity work come through in your application. Share any previous experiences you've had in community engagement or fundraising to show you’re on board with their mission.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our vibrant retail team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxfam
✨Know Oxfam Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand Oxfam's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their history, especially how their shops contribute to the community. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Retail Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous retail or operational management experience in detail. Think of specific examples where you've maximised sales or improved team performance. Highlight your adaptability and how you've successfully managed diverse teams in the past.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Since this role involves collaborating with various shop managers and building trust within teams, prepare to share examples of how you've fostered strong relationships in previous roles. Emphasise your communication skills and how they’ve helped you create inclusive environments.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle unexpected situations. Think about scenarios where you had to cover for a manager or resolve conflicts within a team. Practising these responses will help you feel more confident during the interview.