At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic retail store, inspiring teams and driving sales while making a difference.
- Company: Join Scope, a charity dedicated to creating equality for disabled people.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days holiday, career development, and wellbeing incentives.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team focused on sustainability and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for inclusivity are essential.
The predicted salary is between 26100 - 31900 £ per year.
Starting full-time salary £33,385 a year.
Northampton, NN1 2AW
Are you an experienced retail leader ready to take on a bigger challenge? If so, this could be the opportunity for you.
The Role
Permanent, 35 hours a week. Scope's Northampton shop, 55-57 Abington Street, Northampton, NN1 2AW. Please note that successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. We welcome all applications by 11:59pm GMT 12 November 2026.
We're looking for a Retail General Manager to lead one of Scope's large-format retail stores in Northampton. This is an opportunity to take the lead in a fast-paced, high-volume environment that brings together retail, ecommerce, warehouse operations and community engagement, all while making a real difference for disabled people and their families.
You'll have the autonomy to lead a complex retail business, develop commercial strategies, inspire large teams of colleagues and volunteers, and drive income growth across multiple sales channels including in-store trading, eBay and other online platforms. As Retail General Manager, you'll be accountable for delivering the shop's full commercial potential while creating an outstanding customer and donor experience.
In this role you will:
- Lead, motivate and develop a large and diverse team of paid colleagues and volunteers.
- Deliver sales, profit and growth targets across a range of income streams.
- Drive performance across shop-floor trading, ecommerce, Gift Aid, donated stock, corporate stock and new goods.
- Expand online sales opportunities through platforms such as eBay and other digital channels.
- Oversee stock-processing and distribution operations to maximise productivity and value.
- Create a welcoming, inclusive and engaging environment for customers and donors.
- Build strong partnerships with local businesses, community groups and supporters to increase engagement and stock generation.
- Use commercial insight, performance data and KPIs to identify opportunities and improve results.
- Maintain high standards of visual merchandising, stock management, operational efficiency and customer service.
- Take overall accountability for financial controls, safeguarding, compliance, health and safety, and the smooth running of the store.
This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same, offering the opportunity to lead a significant retail operation while helping Scope generate vital income to support disabled people across the UK.
About You
We're looking for a commercially minded retail leader who can inspire teams, drive performance and deliver exceptional customer experiences in a fast-paced environment.
You will:
- Have experience leading large-scale retail operations and delivering strong commercial results.
- Be able to demonstrate a track record of increasing sales, driving profitability and achieving ambitious targets.
- Have strong leadership skills and experience of developing high-performing, inclusive teams.
- Bring excellent organisational and operational skills, including experience managing stock, warehouse or logistics operations.
- Be confident using performance data and commercial insight to identify opportunities and improve results.
- Have experience managing budgets, controlling costs and making sound commercial decisions.
- Be skilled at building positive relationships with customers, donors, volunteers, local businesses and community partners.
- Be passionate about developing people, creating a positive team culture and helping others succeed.
- Have an understanding of ecommerce and online selling platforms, which would be an advantage.
You'll be a motivated and approachable leader who combines commercial awareness with a commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences while supporting Scope's mission to create an equal future with disabled people.
Working in Our Shops
Our shops are the face of our retail brand, run by dedicated, creative, and passionate teams. We focus on sustainable fashion, engage with local communities, and lead volunteers to deliver a great experience for colleagues and customers. Funds raised support Scope’s mission of achieving equality for disabled people and their families.
Shop Hours
Scope shops are open every day. Some weekend and Bank Holiday cover is needed.
Full-time: 35 hours per week, five days out of seven
Part-time: Weekly hours on a seven-day rota
Additional information
We're excited that you're considering a career with Scope. Our Retail vacancy information pack has more information about Scope Retail and what it's like to work with us. You must have the legal right to work in the UK to apply for this role. We cannot provide visa sponsorship.
Anonymised applications
We use an anonymised application process to support our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. All applicants must submit an anonymised CV and complete a short online application form.
Our values
Pioneering, Courageous, Connected, Open, Fair. We trust each other and give colleagues freedom to be creative, push boundaries, and change minds.
Disability confident scheme
We are proud to be a charity committed to disability equality. We welcome applications from disabled people and anyone with an impairment, long-term condition, or access need. We want our colleagues to reflect the diverse communities we serve. Scope is a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to making sure disabled people have fair and equal access to work. As part of this, we aim to offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential requirements of the role. To be considered under our Offer an Interview Scheme (previously the Guaranteed Interview Scheme), please tick the relevant box on your application form. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please email us via our website. You can also find more information about requesting adjustments for interviews on our website.
Important to know:
You must meet all the essential requirements in the job description. If we receive a high number of applications for a role, we may need to prioritise interviews for disabled applicants who best meet the role criteria.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
EDI is a priority at Scope. We welcome applications from people of colour and other underrepresented communities. We aim to create a culture where everyone feels they belong, treating all with dignity and respect. As a disability equality charity, accessibility and inclusion come first. We listen, learn and continuously improve. You can find out more about our approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on the Scope website.
Benefits
- 35 days holiday
- Pay progression at 6 months and 2 years
- Company pension
- Excellent training and career development
- Strong colleague networks (disability, race, LGBTQ+, gender, social mobility, carers, young people)
- Wellbeing incentives, discounted gym membership, cycle-to-work scheme, and more
- Long service awards and employee recognition awards
One in four of us in the UK are disabled and we are a diverse, proud, and vibrant community. We’re here to create an equal future with all disabled people. We campaign to transform attitudes to disability, tackle injustice and inspire action. We are creating a powerful movement of disabled people, allies, organisations and businesses. Together we will be unstoppable.
How to apply
Click the apply button to create an account and complete your application form. If you've applied for this position previously, thank you for your continued interest. There's no need to reapply, as your earlier application has already been reviewed.
Retail General Manager in Northampton employer: SCOPE
As a Senior Retail Store Manager in Windermere, you will be part of a vibrant community-focused organisation that values teamwork and volunteerism. We offer competitive salaries, including a market supplement, and foster a supportive work culture that encourages personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their local area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail General Manager in Northampton
✨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 SCOPE, 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 SCOPE!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail General Manager in Northampton
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 SCOPE, 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 SCOPE 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 SCOPE that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at SCOPE
✨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!
