Retail Training and Development Lead

Responsible to: Director of Retail

Rate of Pay: £29,200 - £31,853 per annum

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week

Working Hours: Working Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm with occasional weekend work on a rota basis

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Base: Multi site across all retail sites (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire & High Peak)

We are committed to supporting a positive work-life balance and are happy to discuss flexible working patterns and day-to-day scheduling at the interview stage.

Purpose & Scope

This is a standalone management position solely responsible for designing, coordinating, delivering, and assessing training and development initiatives across all Valley CIDS retail sites. The individual will drive consistency in training and development across the entire retail network, support colleague, and volunteer development, and directly contribute to the charity's wider retail strategy and performance goals.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Training & Development

• Strategy Support: Contribute to the delivery of the charity's retail strategy, vision, and objectives through the planning and delivery of targeted training and development initiatives.
• Training Delivery: Take responsibility for planning, coordinating, and delivering training sessions independently across all sites.
• Group Facilitation: Lead workshops, interactive training sessions, and regional meetings for individuals and groups of staff. (Please note this will be alongside other management staff as part of a team).
• Induction & Onboarding: Travel to retail locations across the region to deliver core inductions and support the onboarding framework for all new employees.
• Coaching & Mentoring: Provide dedicated coaching, mentoring, and professional guidance to retail colleagues and volunteers, helping to develop confidence, operational performance, and leadership skills.
• Assessment & Feedback: Conduct staff assessments and provide constructive feedback to support learning and development.
• Record Keeping & Reporting: Maintain accurate training records, competency sign-off documentation, and provide regular progress updates to senior management.

Operational Compliance & Safety

• Core Retail Compliance: Train and assess teams on charity retail operations, ensuring high standards of customer service, store appearance, and policy adherence.
• Commercial Performance Training: Upskill teams to achieve sales, Gift Aid conversions, and other key performance targets across the network.
• Stock Management Training: Educate teams on standardised practices for sorting, pricing, merchandising, and replenishment of donated and new stock, working closely with the Retail Sales Managers and Retail Stock and Logistics Manager.
• Security & Cash Handling: Train and promote uniform adherence to cash handling, opening/closing, and shop security procedures in line with charity policies.
• Health & Safety: Train staff on maintaining a safe working environment, identifying risks, and supporting the completion of required checks and risk assessments in line with Premises & Facilities Manager & Head of Operations.
• Safeguarding: Ensure all retail staff and volunteers fully understand and follow safeguarding policies to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults and work within professional boundaries.
• Manual Handling: Demonstrate, train, and promote safe manual handling practices across all retail environments.
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Foster and train teams to maintain an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the charity's values.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The role involves regular regional travel and active, field-based training delivery.
• Training delivery will regularly involve demonstrating manual handling, which includes lifting and moving bags of stock and being on your feet for extended periods on the shop floor.
• Ability to work independently and manage a fluid travel schedule across multiple sites.

Person Specification

Characteristics & Values

• Can embrace fully the ethos, vision, and values of Valley CIDS.
• Motivated, innovative, and resourceful, with a strong ability to inspire others.
• Self-motivated with the ability to use own initiative.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Well organised and able to work effectively alone or as part of a team.
• Proven experience in charity retail or a fast-paced retail environment, with a strong understanding of shop operations.
• Organisation & Field Autonomy - Highly organised with the ability to manage a fluid, multi-site travel schedule across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and High Peak while keeping clear training records.

Essential Criteria

• Charity Retail Knowledge: Good understanding of charity retail operations, including Gift Aid and volunteer management.
• Charity Retail Experience: Proven experience working within charity retail or a similar background, with a strong understanding of day-to-day shop operations.
• Training & Communication: Confident communicator with the ability to engage, support, and develop colleagues through one-to-one and group training sessions.
• Public Speaking & Facilitation: Confident public speaker, comfortable delivering training, workshops, presentations, and meetings to individuals and groups.
• IT Skills: Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications, email, and digital systems, with the ability to maintain accurate records and produce reports.
• Group Facilitation: Comfortable delivering training, workshops, and presentations to individuals and groups.
• Adaptability & Flexibility: Able to manage changing priorities and work flexibly between base role responsibilities and regional training duties.
• Organisation & Planning: Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan workloads, manage competing demands, and maintain accurate records.
• Coaching & Development: Ability to support and develop colleagues through mentoring, coaching, and constructive feedback.
• Strategic Awareness: Understanding of how training and development contribute to the charity's retail goals, performance, and customer experience.
• Teamworking: Ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues, volunteers, and managers across multiple locations.
• Field Based: Full UK driving licence, access to a business insurance vehicle and willingness to travel across the region as required.

Desirable Criteria

• Training Qualification: A recognised training, coaching, mentoring, or assessment qualification (e.g. AET, PTLLS, CAVA).
• Leadership Experience: Experience supporting, supervising, or developing colleagues within a retail environment.
• Multi-Site Experience: Experience working across different retail locations or supporting multiple teams.

Benefits

• Enhanced Annual Leave
• Company Sick Pay Scheme
• 20% discount in all Lighthouse Charity Shops
• Company Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to exclusive shopping and lifestyle discounts
• Christmas Saver Scheme
• Company Events