At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our charity shop, maximising income and delivering an excellent experience for customers and volunteers.
- Company: Join Shooting Star Children's Hospices, a supportive and inclusive charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to supporting families in need.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact while gaining valuable retail management experience in a meaningful environment.
- Qualifications: Retail management experience and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 29000 £ per year.
This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy. The salary is c. £29,000 per annum for 37.5 hours per week.
About the role
Your key purpose will be to lead the day-to-day operation of our Godalming charity shop, maximising income and delivering an excellent experience for our customers, volunteers and supporters while helping to raise vital funds for Shooting Star Children's Hospices. You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of shop performance, including customer service, stock management, donation processing, merchandising and financial administration. You will ensure donations are processed efficiently, Gift Aid opportunities are maximised, and stock is presented to a high standard through attractive displays and effective merchandising.
Working closely with Assistant Shop Managers and volunteers, you will create a positive and inclusive environment, providing training, support and direction to ensure the shop is fully staffed and operating effectively. You will be responsible for driving sales performance, maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures and relevant legislation, and identifying opportunities to maximise income from donated goods. You will also support fundraising initiatives, charity campaigns and special events, while ensuring the shop remains safe, welcoming, clean and well-presented at all times. Flexibility is essential, as you may be required to provide support and cover across other shop locations when needed.
About you
This role requires experience of managing a retail environment, including responsibility for sales performance, customer service, cash handling and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures. You will have experience of motivating and supporting staff, with the ability to build strong relationships and create a positive and inclusive team culture. Strong organisational skills, the ability to prioritise competing demands and confidence in making day-to-day operational decisions are essential. You will be able to manage stock effectively, maintain high merchandising standards and identify opportunities to maximise income through donations, Gift Aid and retail sales. Experience of recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers would be advantageous, as would experience of charity retail, financial reporting and stock management. Above all, you will be proactive, adaptable and passionate about delivering excellent customer service while supporting the vital work of Shooting Star Children's Hospices.
What we offer
- Competitive salary
- NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions
- Annual leave 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
- 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service
- Contractual benefits
- Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
- Flexible working arrangements
- Reimbursed professional membership fees
- Eye care
- Health and wellbeing Employee Assistance Programme
- Occupational Health
- Mindfulness sessions
- Mental Health First Aiders
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. We are also committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.
Please contact Joe Tooze at joe.tooze@shootingstar.org.uk or 07973828895 if you have any questions about this role.
About Shooting Star Children’s Hospices
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment and professionalism means every family has the opportunity to make every moment count.
The Benefits
- Pension Scheme
- Retail Discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Recognition 'Star' Awards
- Employee Referral Scheme
Shop Manager in Godalming employer: Shooting-Star-Children
Shooting Star Children's Hospices is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead a brand-new charity shop in Twickenham while making a meaningful impact on families in need. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, you will thrive in an environment that encourages professional development and teamwork. Join us to be part of a dedicated team where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shop Manager in Godalming
✨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 Shooting-Star-Children, 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 Shooting-Star-Children!
We think you need these skills to ace Shop Manager in Godalming
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 Shooting-Star-Children, 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 Shooting-Star-Children 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 Shooting-Star-Children that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Shooting-Star-Children
✨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!
