At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in managing a busy charity shop and engage with the local community.
- Company: Phyllis Tuckwell, a compassionate charity providing vital palliative care.
- Benefits: Six weeks paid holiday, pension plan, flexible hours, and skill development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team where 97% of staff are proud to work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while gaining valuable experience in retail management.
- Qualifications: Experience in management, exceptional customer service, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Hours: 35 hours per week – worked across 5 days out of 6, including every other Saturday.
Are you looking for a job where you can make a real difference? Phyllis Tuckwell’s shops are run by a wonderful and dedicated team of staff and volunteers. An opportunity has arisen to recruit an experienced Assistant Shop Manager to help run our highly successful, extremely busy and quirky charity shop on Downing Street, Farnham. This is an exciting opportunity to build and maintain relationships in the local community.
About You
- Have previous experience in managing or supervising.
- Have the required skills to ensure that the shop runs smoothly.
- Have exceptional customer service and be inspired to support our patients and their loved ones.
- Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with previous customer service experience.
- Have the capability to work independently and as part of a busy team.
- Have previous experience within a charity or fashion-based organisation would be an advantage, but full training will be provided.
- Have knowledge of visual merchandising or shop displays.
- Have some commercial awareness and a desire to drive business forward within their shop.
- Have the ability to be able to lift, sort and move donated items.
- Be willing and able to lone work where required.
For a full list of essential requirements, please refer to the job description and person specification document.
About Us
We are based in Farnham, Camberley and Guildford, and provide bespoke, compassionate palliative and end of life care for people living with an advanced or terminal illness, across West Surrey and North-East Hampshire. Phyllis Tuckwell is a very special place to work. Our staff make a real difference to the lives of our patients and their loved ones, providing outstanding care at a time that really matters. Our Retail team members are pivotal in helping to raise funds to deliver our vital services, ensuring ‘every day is precious’ for our patients.
The impact of our services on the lives of our patients and their families can be read about here: Phyllis Tuckwell is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, with the principles of fairness and equality at its core. We are an equal opportunities employer, who values and respects our employees’ unique knowledge, skills and experiences. We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community. All appointments are made following a fair and equitable process, based on merit, job requirements and business need.
We Offer:
- Six weeks paid holiday plus public holidays (pro-rated for part time staff).
- Phyllis Tuckwell Group Personal Pension Plan (matched contributions up to 7.5%).
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Blue Light Discount Card.
- Skill Development and Training.
- Upskilling.
- Diverse Training Courses.
- A Great Place to Work.
- Flexible hours and flexible working.
- Supportive colleagues.
97% of our staff are proud to work for Phyllis Tuckwell*.
*Phyllis Tuckwell Birdsong Hospice staff survey 2023.
For further information regarding the role please contact Roniela Gorezi, Area Retail Manager on Roniela.gorezi@pth.org.uk or phone 07741 903870. If you are unable to apply on-line or have any questions about the recruitment process, contact HR on 01252 729408 or email: recruitment@pth.org.uk.
Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 12th December 2025. We reserve the right to close the role ahead of the closing date should sufficient applications be received. Your early response is therefore encouraged. Please note that we do not hold a sponsor licence and therefore are unable to provide visa sponsorship.
Assistant Shop Manager - Farnham, Downing Street employer: The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice
Phyllis Tuckwell is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where staff can truly make a difference in the lives of patients and their families. With generous benefits such as six weeks paid holiday, a matched pension plan, and opportunities for skill development, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally. Located in the vibrant community of Farnham, our dedicated team plays a crucial role in fundraising through our unique charity shop, ensuring that every day is precious for those we serve.
Contact Details:
The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager - Farnham, Downing Street
✨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 Phyllis Tuckwell 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 The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Shop Manager - Farnham, Downing Street
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 Phyllis Tuckwell 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 The Phyllis Tuckwell 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 The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Phyllis Tuckwell 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!