At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Shop Manager in running a busy charity shop and deliver excellent customer service.
- Company: Join PDSA, a charity dedicated to providing veterinary care for pets in need.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days holiday, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team and help shape a brighter future for pets.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for pets and their owners while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and strong interpersonal skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 9.9 - 12.1 £ per hour.
Make a difference every day with PDSA.
Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship. We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA.
We’re looking for an Assistant Charity Shop Manager to join our friendly team at PDSA Openshaw on a temporary basis, working 14 hours across two days per week. Our Openshaw shop is a large, busy store based on a retail park and trades seven days a week. The shop opening hours are: Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5pm, Sunday: 10am – 4pm. Colleagues work between 9am and 5pm, including on Sundays, with each working day consisting of 7 paid hours plus a 1 hour unpaid lunch break. As the shop trades seven days a week, flexibility will be required across the week, including weekends, with your 14 contracted hours worked across two days.
If you enjoy being around people, have strong interpersonal skills and love the buzz of retail, this could be a great fit for you. You’ll thrive in a busy, customer-focused environment where you can help deliver a fantastic shopping experience while making a real difference for pets and their owners.
In this role, you’ll support the Shop Manager in running our Openshaw PDSA shop day to day, working closely with a dedicated team of volunteers to maximise profit and create a welcoming, well-presented store. You’ll help to ensure great customer service, efficient stock rotation and strong brand messaging, using financial and competitor data to spot opportunities for improvement. You’ll also champion the PDSA name in the local community, helping to generate item and cash donations and raise awareness of the charity.
As an Assistant Shop Manager, you’ll also be required to take responsibility for the shop in the Shop Manager’s absence. There may also be occasions where support is required at other PDSA shops nearby. You’ll bring experience from the retail sector with a proven track record of contributing to sales targets. You’ll understand what great customer service looks like and be keen to instil your passion and standards in those around you. Organised, approachable and proactive, you’ll enjoy coaching and motivating volunteers, encouraging new ideas and supporting a culture of continuous improvement. Above all, you’ll be enthusiastic about PDSA’s work and proud to represent the charity with every customer you meet.
We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.
As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.
- 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays.
- Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.
- Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
- Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
- AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
- 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect. To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
Charity Assistant Shop Manager in Manchester employer: PDSA
PDSA is an exceptional employer for Registered Veterinary Nurses, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in Leeds. With a strong focus on animal welfare, employees benefit from flexible working options, a generous CPD allowance, and numerous opportunities for professional growth, making it a fulfilling place to advance your veterinary career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Charity Assistant Shop Manager in Manchester
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Charity Assistant Shop Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to PDSA:Don’t forget to personalise your application for PDSA! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at PDSA
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that PDSA offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at PDSA and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
