At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new retail store, build community relationships, and inspire a team of volunteers.
- Company: Prospect Hospice, dedicated to compassionate care and community support.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Active role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape a thriving store while making a real difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management, strong leadership, and community engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 25517 - 26924 £ per year.
Lead a brand-new store. Build a thriving community hub. Help fund outstanding hospice care.
We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Retail Store Manager to launch and lead our new Watchfield shop. This is a unique opportunity to shape a store from day one, building a welcoming space for customers, volunteers and supporters while generating vital income for Prospect Hospice.
As Store Manager, you’ll have the freedom to make your mark. You’ll build relationships within the local community, inspire a team of volunteers and colleagues, and create a successful retail destination that helps fund compassionate care for local people and their families.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (5 days from 7, Monday–Sunday, including weekends and Bank Holidays)
What is the role?
You’ll be responsible for the overall success of the shop, ensuring it delivers an excellent customer experience while achieving ambitious income targets. Working closely with volunteers, supporters and the wider retail team, you’ll:
- Lead the day-to-day operation of the store
- Drive sales, profitability and Gift Aid income
- Recruit, develop and support volunteers and your Assistant Store Manager
- Create an attractive, well-merchandised shopping environment
- Manage stock, cash handling and store compliance
- Build strong relationships within the local community to encourage donations and support
About you
You’ll be a confident retail leader who enjoys working with people and delivering results. You might already be managing a charity shop, or you may have gained your experience in a commercial retail environment and be looking for a role with greater purpose.
We’re particularly interested in someone who:
- Has proven experience as a Retail Manager / Store Manager (charity retail experience desirable)
- Strong leadership skills with a positive, people-focused approach
- Can motivate and develop a team
- Is commercially aware and customer focused
- Enjoys building relationships and engaging with the community
- Is organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities
- Holds a full UK driving licence and is willing to support other shops
This is an active role involving regular lifting and moving of stock and extended periods on your feet. Manual handling training will be provided. We welcome applications from all candidates and will consider reasonable adjustments where possible; however, the essential duties require the ability to carry out ongoing physical activity.
For more information please contact Rachael Daniel, Retail Area Manager on 07779 299734.
We offer a great range of benefits, including:
- 27 days holiday plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
- Generous contributory pension scheme and life assurance
- Discounts with local retailers, gyms and service providers including Blue Light Discount Card
- Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing team
- Supportive induction, training and development
- A values led, inclusive working environment
To apply please submit your CV via the green “Apply” button.
DBS Check
This role requires a DBS check. We consider all disclosures fairly, in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 (Exceptions Order).
Equality & Diversity
Prospect Hospice is committed to encouraging a diverse and inclusive working environment. We recognise that promoting diversity and eliminating discrimination in our workplace will bring benefits for our people, our business and the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, offending background, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we support. As part of our SAFER recruitment process, offers of employment will be subject to thorough checks, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, online and social media checks and verification of qualifications. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
We will review applications as they come in and may close the vacancy before the closing date.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Store Manager - Watchfield
✨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 Prospect Hospice, 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 Prospect Hospice!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Store Manager - Watchfield
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 Prospect Hospice, 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 Prospect Hospice 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 Prospect Hospice that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prospect Hospice
✨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!
