At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to manage the shop, drive sales, and create a welcoming environment.
- Company: Join Oxfam, a global movement dedicated to ending poverty and injustice.
- Benefits: Gain valuable leadership experience while making a real difference in your community.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Empower others, tackle inequality, and be part of a mission-driven organisation.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills, team-building experience, and a passion for social change.
The predicted salary is between 18900 - 23100 £ per year.
About Us
Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty. Oxfam GB is a member of an international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.
Oxfam Purpose
To work with others to overcome poverty and suffering.
Trading Purpose
To make as much money as possible to overcome poverty and suffering.
About our 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.
The Role of our Shop Managers
Commercially aware and constantly looking for new business opportunities, shop managers motivate their teams and create a safe and energised work environment. They have high standards, a strong drive to achieve results and are accountable for their business. The role of the shop manager is empowered, varied, busy and gives the opportunity to work with some amazing people. Shop managers are pivotal for the success of our business and can make a real difference. Oxfam operates a volunteer operating model, in which volunteers are empowered to take over most of the tasks within the shop, including running the shop in the manager’s absence. Often the only paid member of staff, our managers are comfortable in this environment, really enjoy working with others and are great at delegating to their teams. Excellent communicators, they are creative, and always look for opportunities to attract new supporters every day. Please note: this role includes occasional Sunday working.
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.
Key Skills and Competencies required
- Significant leadership qualities and experience.
- Ability to build, retain and develop a team.
- Strong drive to achieve results through others.
- Ability to delegate, coach and listen.
- Enjoys working with people and has a friendly and approachable manner.
- Ability to manage time under conflicting priorities.
- Ability to demonstrate resilience to the everyday pressures that come with the role.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to motivate self and others.
- High level of motivation, enthusiasm and a sense of fun.
- Open and adaptable to change and able to support others through it.
- Commercial awareness and judgement.
- Ability to establish and maintain successful retail processes and merchandising.
- Ability to understand and interpret basic financial reports.
- IT literacy and numeracy skills.
- Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of diversity and gender rights.
- Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.
A thriving diverse Oxfam
It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today. To do that:
- We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
- We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
- We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.
Shop Manager (Leamington Spa) in Royal Leamington Spa employer: Oxfam
Oxfam is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises flexibility and collaboration in the pursuit of climate justice. Employees benefit from a comprehensive package that supports their well-being and professional growth, while being part of a globally networked confederation dedicated to making a meaningful impact. Join us in shaping influential campaigns and fostering relationships that drive real change in the UK and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shop Manager (Leamington Spa) in Royal Leamington Spa
✨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 Oxfam, 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 Oxfam!
We think you need these skills to ace Shop Manager (Leamington Spa) in Royal Leamington Spa
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 Oxfam, 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 Oxfam 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 Oxfam that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxfam
✨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!
