At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in delivering excellent customer service and community engagement at our Calverton Bookshop.
- Company: Join The Children's Society, making a difference for young people across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days of annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and a generous pension match.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal development and volunteering.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team while developing your leadership skills in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for books and community service.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About the Role
This role sits within our Retail Domain, which transforms donated goods into vital income to support young people across the UK.
You'll play a key part in our Calverton Bookshop, leading and supporting a team to deliver excellent customer service, community engagement, and income generation.
Responsibilities
- Lead a group of diverse volunteers and an Assistant Shop Manager.
- Deliver excellent customer service, community engagement, and income generation.
- Key Skills and Competencies
- Retail or similar people‑management experience.
- Book and Media knowledge.
- Understanding of online selling such as e Bay.
- Commercial awareness to drive and deliver sales.
- Positivity and resilience.
- Demonstrable experience of successfully leading, developing and motivating a team.
- Experience of managing to an income and expenditure budget.
- Good IT skills.
- Preferred skills and competencies
- Managing Stock / Merchandising.
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Experience of managing a team of volunteers.
- Experience in the charity retail sector.
- Safeguarding and Vetting
The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with.
Our recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 2 years of references and additional vetting checks relevant to the role.
We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.
Benefits
- 36 days’ annual leave, inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave.
- Up to 8% pension match.
- Free counselling service.
- Opportunities to develop and widen your skills.
- Two days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation.
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Bookshop Manager in Calverton employer: The Children's Society
The Children's Society is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across the UK. With a supportive work culture that values employee development, you will have access to benefits such as a generous pension scheme, free counselling services, and opportunities to enhance your skills while working in a collaborative environment. Located in Washington, Tyne & Wear, this role offers flexibility and the chance to engage with your community, all while contributing to a vital cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bookshop Manager in Calverton
✨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 The Children's Society, 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 The Children's Society!
We think you need these skills to ace Bookshop Manager in Calverton
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 The Children's Society, 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 The Children's Society 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 The Children's Society that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Children's Society
✨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!
