At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate retail operations to support hospice care and community engagement.
- Company: Prospect Hospice, a charity dedicated to providing specialist care in Swindon and surrounding areas.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Join us to drive impactful retail strategies and support families during challenging times.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management, team leadership, and community engagement required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and innovation in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Prospect Hospice, we believe in a community where everyone lives and dies well. As we embark on an ambitious five-year strategy to grow and diversify our income, we’re looking for a dynamic Retail Trading Manager to develop our retail function into its next phase. We’re an established charity based in Swindon, providing specialist care to people in Swindon, Marlborough and northeast Wiltshire. Our retail operations are 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 a cornerstone of our 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 (Monday-Friday, including some weekends and bank holidays).
About the Role: As our Retail Trading Manager, you’ll support our charity retail operations, leading on the buying and control of new goods. You’ll build relationships with existing and new suppliers, build ranges and provide merchandising guidance to stores. You’ll also put in place robust processes to control replenishment and shrinkage. Additionally, there is opportunity to work with store management teams to develop retail led events to drive footfall and engage with customers in our local communities. You’ll also support new store openings and refits. This is a high-impact role for a strategic and hands-on retail leader who thrives on performance, innovation and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Bought in goods ‘new goods’
- Lead and deliver 1–3 year growth and annual trading plans for new goods, ensuring KPI performance
- Manage supplier relationships, sourcing and buying across all channels
- Develop store-specific ranges and provide visual merchandising guidance to maximise sales
- Monitor competitor activity and adjust product, pricing and ranges accordingly
- Maximise sell-through and implement effective stock, pricing, margin and administration processes
- Work with store teams, warehouse and logistics to meet demand and drive performance
- Support and develop the New Goods team as the business grows
- Prioritise opportunities to hold retail events which can be held across the estate, for example flash sales and family fun days
- Identify local retail events which can be held in individual stores
- Analyse results from retail initiatives to ensure learnings are captured and future events are optimised
- Support and on occasion lead on projects within the retail function
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
- 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
If you’re a retail leader who thrives on challenge, innovation, and community impact, we’d love to hear from you. For full details and how to apply, visit our website.
First interviews will be held via Teams on Tuesday 28 April 2026 with in-person second interviews planned for Tuesday 5 May 2026.
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.
Retail Trading Manager in Swindon employer: Prospect Hospice
Contact Detail:
Prospect Hospice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Trading 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 opportunities or even refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for community engagement! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas on how to drive footfall and engage customers. This will demonstrate that you’re not just about sales, but also about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the charity’s current retail initiatives. Bring fresh ideas to the table on how you can help them grow and diversify their income. This shows you’re proactive and ready to hit the ground running!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission at Prospect Hospice.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Trading Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Community Engagement: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for community work. Share any experiences you've had that align with our mission at Prospect Hospice, and how you can contribute to making a difference in people's lives.
Tailor Your Experience to the Role: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in retail management and team leadership. We want to know how your skills can help us achieve our ambitious growth plans, so be specific about your past successes and how they relate to the Retail Trading Manager position.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you're the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our values and mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at Prospect Hospice
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Retail Trading Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with KPIs and P&L management. Brush up on your financial knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets and targets in the past. This will show that you understand the financial side of retail operations.
✨Showcase Your Community Engagement
Since Prospect Hospice values community impact, think of examples where you've engaged with local communities through retail initiatives. Be prepared to share ideas for events or strategies that could drive footfall and enhance customer relationships in the local area.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires leading and motivating teams, so come armed with stories of how you've inspired others in previous positions. Highlight your experience in managing volunteers and how you've fostered a positive team environment to achieve results.
✨Be Ready to Innovate
With plans for new store openings and innovative retail strategies, show your creative side! Think about how you've implemented new ideas in past roles and be ready to discuss how you would approach innovation at Prospect Hospice. This will demonstrate your alignment with their vision for growth.