At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create an amazing shopping experience while supporting local hospice services.
- Company: Join St Oswald's Hospice, a caring organisation making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance and no work during Christmas, Easter, or Bank Holidays.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on families while developing your leadership skills in a fun environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service or retail is preferred but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 26500 £ per year.
Organisation: St Oswald's Hospice
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Job Type: 37.5 hours per week, hours to be worked between Monday to Sunday
Closing Date: Sunday 9th August 2026
Reference: Shop Manager – North East area - 37.5 hours per week
A very generous holiday allowance and unlike many other retailers, you won’t have to work over the Christmas/New Year period, Easter or Bank Holidays.
Are you a warm, friendly, and dedicated individual looking to make a difference in your community? St Oswald’s Hospice are seeking a passionate Shop Manager to join our team and help support our hospice services across the North East. This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a great organisation and make a real impact on people’s lives!
We operate 25 charity shops across the North East area from Sunderland to Morpeth, with all proceeds supporting our essential services. Our shops are at the heart of their communities, offering a welcoming environment for shoppers and donors alike. You will create an outstanding shopping experience for our generous local supporters.
We can offer you creative freedom to develop your shop and grow and manage your team. You’ll get to work with a passionate and dedicated group of fun and friendly staff and volunteers!
Who we are looking for…..
- Are you passionate about sustainable shopping, selling good quality second-hand goods and managing your own team in a busy store?
- Would you be motivated by putting your skills and experience to good use by helping to raise funds for your local charitable hospice, knowing the benefits of your hard work would be supporting North East families?
- Previous experience of charity retail is NOT essential, but it would be preferable if you’d worked in some form of public facing role such as customer service, retail or front of house position in the past.
- Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity to take your career to the next level?
Due to the nature of this role in a hospice setting, we need to carry out an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) if you are appointed. You must have existing right to work in the UK for this role.
Interview date: Wednesday 19th August 2026. Interviews will be held at our Unit in Ouseburn, Ouse Street, Byker, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 2AG.
St Oswald’s Hospice is committed to equity and diversity and is an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from people of all ages, disability/non-disability, ethnicities, genders, religions, sexualities, transgender status, and cultural backgrounds.
Shop Manager employer: St Oswald's Hospice
St Oswald’s Hospice is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and rewarding environment for Auxiliary Nurses in Newcastle Upon Tyne. With a focus on compassionate end-of-life care, employees benefit from good staffing levels, educational opportunities in specialist palliative care, and a commitment to equity and diversity. Join a dedicated multidisciplinary team where your skills will be valued and your professional growth encouraged.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shop Manager
✨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 St Oswald's 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 St Oswald's Hospice!
We think you need these skills to ace Shop Manager
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 St Oswald's 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 St Oswald's 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 St Oswald's Hospice that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Oswald's 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!
