At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to maximise shop income and enhance customer experience.
- Company: Join The Children's Society, making a difference for over 140 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days' annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and a matched pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic retail environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven organisation that supports children and young people in need.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and commercial awareness are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25760 - 25760 £ per year.
Permanent 37 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 £25,760
Location: South Water
Benefits include but are not limited to:
- 36 days' annual leave, inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- We match up to 8% pension
- Free counselling service
- Opportunities to develop and widen your skills
- 2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation
About us: The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need. We run over 100 retail shops covering the whole of the UK - every one of these shops plays a vital role in our mission to provide support to children and young adults. Every day we're changing the lives of children in this country for the better - and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.
About the role: This role sits within our Retail Domain, which transforms donated goods into vital income to support young people across the UK. We're looking for a passionate, commercially minded and people-focused Shop Manager with the ability to lead and develop a high-performing team, maximise shop income, and create an outstanding customer experience, driving improvements that strengthen the shop's performance and community impact at our South Water shop.
Key Skills and Competencies:
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach and develop volunteers and colleagues to achieve shared goals.
- Commercial awareness and confidence using sales data to drive income growth and maximise shop performance.
- Excellent customer service and communication skills, building positive relationships within the local community.
- Good IT skills.
It would also be an advantage if you have any of the following skills and competencies:
- Previous experience in retail management, charity retail, hospitality or a customer-facing leadership role.
- Experience recruiting, training and retaining volunteers to build an engaged and effective team.
- Knowledge of visual merchandising, stock management and delivering high standards of shop presentation.
Closing date: Midnight on Monday 16th November 2026.
Interviews: Date to be confirmed.
The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer 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.
In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.
AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You're welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.
Shop Manager in Horsham employer: The Children's Society
The Children's Society is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where innovation thrives. With a strong focus on meaningful impact, employees have access to growth opportunities and are encouraged to contribute to transformative initiatives that directly benefit children and young people across the nation. Located in a vibrant community, the organisation fosters collaboration and creativity, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shop Manager in Horsham
✨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 Shop Manager in Horsham
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!
