At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant retail shop, ensuring top-notch customer service and team motivation.
- Company: Join Rowans Hospice, a charity dedicated to supporting those with life-limiting illnesses.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team and help raise vital funds for local families.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your retail management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for excellent customer service.
The predicted salary is between 25200 - 30800 £ per year.
Make a Difference with Rowans Hospice
Are you an experienced retail manager with a passion for delivering excellent customer service and leading successful teams? Join Rowans Hospice and help us raise vital funds to support people living with life-limiting illnesses across Portsmouth and South East Hampshire.
About Us
Rowans Hospice is a local charity providing free specialist palliative care and support to adults and their families living with a life-limiting illness. Since 1994, we have been dedicated to delivering compassionate care, made possible through the generosity of our local community, donations, legacies, fundraising and our network of retail shops.
The Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Shop Manager to lead our busy retail shop in Lee-on-the-Solent. Reporting to the Head of Retail, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the shop, ensuring excellent retail standards, maximising income and creating a welcoming environment for customers, volunteers and staff. You will play an important role in supporting the continued success and growth of Rowans Hospice Retail.
Key Responsibilities
- Take overall responsibility for the successful management of the shop in line with Rowans Hospice Retail’s aims, objectives and values.
- Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff and volunteers.
- Maximise sales through effective stock management, merchandising and excellent customer service.
- Monitor shop performance and regularly communicate progress with the Head of Retail.
- Identify opportunities to improve shop operations and profitability.
- Keep up to date with local retail trends, particularly within the charity and value retail sector.
- Promote awareness of the Hospice and support local fundraising and income generation initiatives.
- Build positive relationships with colleagues, local communities and partner organisations.
- Support wider retail initiatives, including new shop openings, events and corporate opportunities.
- Provide management cover at other Rowans Hospice shops when required.
What We Offer
Alongside the opportunity to make a real difference in your community, we offer an excellent benefits package, including:
- Company pension (NHS pension retained if transferring from the NHS)
- Recognition of continuous NHS service where applicable
- Health and wellbeing programme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- DSE equipment and uniforms provided
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Career development opportunities
- Blue Light Card membership
Join Our Team
If you are ready to combine your retail management skills with a rewarding career supporting your local hospice, we would love to hear from you. Please review the Job Description for full details and complete our online application form to apply.
Interview Date: 25 August 2026
Apply now and help make a lasting difference to people and families in your community.
Shop Manager – Lee-on-the-Solent employer: The Rowans Hospice
The Rowans Hospice is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development in the rewarding field of fundraising. Located in Purbrook, we provide our team with opportunities to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative environment that values each individual's contributions and fosters long-term relationships with our supporters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shop Manager – Lee-on-the-Solent
✨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 Rowans 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 Rowans Hospice!
We think you need these skills to ace Shop Manager – Lee-on-the-Solent
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 Rowans 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 Rowans 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 Rowans Hospice that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Rowans 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!
