At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant shop, driving sales and creating an inclusive customer experience.
- Company: Join Traid, a purpose-driven charity championing sustainable fashion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time role, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a retail leader, inspire a diverse team, and promote sustainability in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for sustainable fashion.
The predicted salary is between 26771 - 32721 £ per year.
Location: Clapham
Contract: Full-time
Salary: £33,608
Employer: Traid
Reporting to: Head of Retail
We’re seeking an inspiring, purpose-driven retail leader who can create energy on the shop floor, build a welcoming and inclusive customer experience, and champion sustainable fashion in the local community. From shaping team culture to driving commercial success, this is your chance to make a real impact.
THE ROLE
You will take full ownership of the store’s commercial and operational performance, ensuring strong results across sales, donations, Gift Aid and cost control, while maintaining the highest standards of presentation, compliance and customer care. Through thoughtful planning, prioritisation and problem-solving, you will ensure the store operates seamlessly from back of house to shop floor.
At the heart of the role is people leadership. You will inspire, develop and support a diverse team of paid staff and volunteers, creating a positive culture where individuals feel valued, confident and motivated to perform at their best. By leading with empathy, consistency and clarity, you will build a team that delivers results while staying true to Traid’s values. You will act as a brand ambassador for Traid within your local community, building strong relationships with donors, customers and stakeholders to drive footfall, donations and engagement. Through collaboration with internal teams and a commitment to continuous improvement, you will adapt and evolve your store to meet changing business needs while keeping purpose, sustainability and people at the centre of everything you do.
Key Accountabilities
- Commercial and operational leadership of the store
- Sales, donation and Gift Aid performance delivery
- Stock flow, space management and visual merchandising standards
- Customer experience and brand representation
- People leadership, coaching and volunteer development
- Recruitment, training and performance management
- Community engagement and donor relationship building
- Health & safety, safeguarding and policy compliance
- Store administration, cash handling and reporting accuracy
- Stakeholder collaboration and internal communication
- Promotion of Traid’s values, mission and sustainable fashion purpose.
Commercial & Operational Leadership:
- Take full ownership of store performance, driving KPIs including sales, conversion, donation volumes, Gift Aid participation and cost control
- Plan and lead day-to-day store operations, ensuring effective stock flow from donation intake through to shop floor presentation
- Deliver strong operational planning to ensure the store is organised, safe and trading efficiently at all times
- Oversee all store administration including tills, cash handling, rotas and reporting, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Drive continuous improvement in operational processes to maximise efficiency and performance
- Ensure full compliance with charity retail procedures including health & safety, safeguarding, data protection and security standards
- Maintain a well-organised back of house and stock areas to support smooth trading and donation processing.
People Leadership & Development:
- Lead, coach and inspire a diverse team of paid staff and volunteers, creating a positive and inclusive culture
- Be the first point of contact for your team, confidently supporting them through day-to-day challenges and operational priorities
- Deliver regular one-to-ones, performance reviews and coaching conversations to support development and engagement
- Recruit, train and onboard volunteers, ensuring they feel welcomed, supported and confident in their role
- Lead by example in line with Traid’s values, setting clear expectations and demonstrating professionalism at all times
- Manage HR processes fairly and consistently, handling sensitive situations with empathy, confidentiality and integrity
- Work closely with the Head of Retail and support teams to ensure your team receives the right guidance, training and resources
- Champion continuous learning and development, recognising strengths and supporting progression.
Customer Experience & Store Standards:
- Create a welcoming and inclusive store environment where every customer feels valued
- Deliver engaging second-hand fashion experiences through strong storytelling, service and visual presentation
- Maintain exceptional shop floor standards including cleanliness, layout, replenishment and impactful merchandising
- Ensure the store consistently reflects Traid’s mission, values and sustainable fashion identity
- Lead the team to deliver excellent customer service through coaching in the moment and clear feedback
- Promote a strong donation culture in-store, encouraging customers to support Traid’s cause.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Act as a brand ambassador for Traid within the local community
- Build strong relationships with donors, customers and community partners to drive footfall and donation volumes
- Collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders including Area Managers, Retail Support and Warehouse teams
- Communicate clearly and confidently across multiple priorities and departments
- Support and deliver wider charity initiatives and campaigns, driving engagement through your store team
- Represent Traid positively at all times, ensuring the charity’s purpose and impact are clearly communicated.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for next stages.
Shop Manager Clapham employer: Traid
Traid is an exceptional employer that offers a meaningful opportunity for those passionate about retail and charity work. Located in the vibrant community of Peckham, we provide a supportive work culture that values employee growth, with a commitment to promoting from within. As a London living wage employer, we ensure our team members are rewarded fairly while enjoying a dynamic environment filled with creativity and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Shop Manager Clapham
✨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 Traid, 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 Traid!
We think you need these skills to ace Shop Manager Clapham
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 Traid, 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 Traid 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 Traid that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Traid
✨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!
