At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Shop Manager in running a busy charity shop and delivering excellent customer service.
- Company: Join PDSA, a charity dedicated to providing veterinary care for pets in need.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days holiday, and generous pension options.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values your ideas and passion for pets.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for pets and their owners while gaining retail experience.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and strong interpersonal skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
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 Stourbridge. 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 Stourbridge 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.
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.
This is a permanent, 21 hour per week position. Due to the needs of the business, you'll need to be fully flexible to work across seven days, including weekends. As one of PDSA's busiest shops, we’re looking for someone who can support the team with a flexible approach to working hours and shifts.
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 Stourbridge 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 Stourbridge
✨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 PDSA, 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 PDSA!
We think you need these skills to ace Charity Assistant Shop Manager in Stourbridge
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 PDSA, 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 PDSA 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 PDSA that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at PDSA
✨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!
