At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead retail operations, drive sales, and support team development in a charity setting.
- Company: Prospect Hospice, a community-focused charity providing specialist care.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while innovating in retail for a good cause.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management, team leadership, and community engagement.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to improving lives and expanding hospice care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Prospect Hospice, we believe in a community where everyone lives and dies well. As part of our ambitious five-year strategy to grow and diversify our income, we’re looking for a dynamic retail Area Support Manager to help lead our retail operations into an exciting new chapter. We’re an established charity based in Swindon, providing specialist care to people in Swindon, Marlborough and northeast Wiltshire. Our retail operation is at the heart of our mission, raising over £2.5 million annually to support individuals and families through life-limiting illness.
Our Vision for Retail: Retail is central to our growth and income generation strategy. With plans to open new stores and invest in our existing network, this role is pivotal to our future success. You’ll be empowered to innovate, lead change, and help us build a sustainable future for hospice care.
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (5 days from 7, including weekends and bank holidays).
About the Role: As Area Support Manager, you’ll work closely with the Retail Area Manager to support store performance and KPI delivery through effective action planning and team development. You’ll support recruitment, onboarding and induction, and ensure accurate stock management and reporting. You’ll also play a key role in new store openings and refits. Your mission: to drive profitability, inspire high-performing teams, and expand our retail footprint — all while championing our brand in the community.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive sales across stores, identifying growth opportunities and improving performance
- Analyse trading patterns and use insights to inform marketing, operations, and stock planning
- Maximise Gift Aid income and ensure effective donation and stock management
- Support the growth of new goods and deliver strong merchandising and promotional activity
- Lead, coach, and support Store and Assistant Managers to achieve targets
- Build a positive, high-performing team culture and support people management
- Maintain high standards of store presentation, customer service, and health & safety compliance
- Oversee stock control, rotation, and visual merchandising to optimise sales
- Work with warehouse and logistics teams to ensure efficient stock distribution
- Conduct regular store visits and provide management cover where required
- Support retail events, new store openings, and team recruitment and induction
- Strengthen community engagement and ensure stores are fully resourced
- Ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures
About you:
- Experience of delivering to targets and budgets
- Proven experience in leading and motivating high performing teams to deliver against targets
- Knowledge of P&L management
- Experience of effective stock control management and product display
- A team player, experienced in delivering accurate work on a timely basis in order to ensure team success
- Experience of managing and motivating volunteers
- A passion for community engagement and a commitment to our values
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle
This is a high-impact role for a strategic, hands-on retail leader who thrives on performance, innovation, and community engagement. If you’re ready for your next challenge and want to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Retail Area Support Manager in Swindon employer: Prospect Hospice
Contact Detail:
Prospect Hospice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Area Support Manager in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail sector, especially those who have experience with charities. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Prospect Hospice and its mission. Show us how your values align with theirs and be ready to discuss how you can drive sales and community engagement in their retail operations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements in leading teams and managing stock. We want to hear how you've driven performance in previous roles and how you can bring that success to Prospect Hospice.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to support the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Area Support Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in retail management and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Prospect Hospice!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for community engagement shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who truly cares about making a difference, so share any relevant experiences that showcase this passion.
Be Specific About Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements and how you met or exceeded targets. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve driven sales or improved performance, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prospect Hospice
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Prospect Hospice's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their community impact and how retail operations contribute to their goals. This will help you align your answers with their vision and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Area Support Manager, you'll be leading teams and driving performance. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully motivated a team or improved store performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your achievements.
✨Understand Retail Metrics
Brush up on key retail metrics like sales targets, P&L management, and stock control. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. This shows that you not only understand the numbers but can also leverage them to drive growth and profitability.
✨Engage with Community Initiatives
Since community engagement is crucial for this role, think of ways you've previously connected with local communities or led initiatives that benefited them. Be prepared to share ideas on how you could enhance community involvement at Prospect Hospice, demonstrating your commitment to their values.