Shop Manager: Leighton Buzzard

About the role

Lead, Inspire & Make a Difference! Are you passionate about retail and ready to take on a new challenge that makes a real difference in your community? We’re looking for an enthusiastic and driven Shop Manager to lead the way in our Leighton Buzzard shop. This is an exciting opportunity to bring your ideas to life and lead a vibrant team of volunteers. With your retail expertise and passion for purpose, you’ll be at the heart of a successful shop that supports our mission, drives sales, and is a valued part of the local community. If you’re ready to make your mark, we’d love to hear from you!

What you’ll do:

• Run the shop efficiently and profitably, maximising sales, Gift Aid, and round‑up donations
• Manage visual merchandising, stock rotation and product display to the highest standards
• Oversee the effective sorting, pricing and presentation of donated goods
• Lead and inspire a team of volunteers
• Organise staff and volunteer rosters to ensure adequate cover, including on weekends
• Provide excellent customer service and handle queries or complaints professionally
• Monitor financial performance, manage shop expenses, and ensure compliance with audit and cash handling processes
• Ensure full compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR, and equality policies
• Act as an ambassador for the charity in the local community and support fundraising events

What you’ll need:

• Retail management experience (charity retail experience a bonus, but not essential)
• Strong commercial acumen with a proven track record of delivering financial targets
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support staff and volunteers
• A customer‑focused approach with a friendly and professional manner
• Experience handling cash, banking, and financial reporting
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work flexibly, including weekends, and to provide occasional cover in other shop locations
• A passion for the charity sector and supporting local communities

Who we are:

Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice is the leading provider of specialist palliative care in the Milton Keynes area. We offer round‑the‑clock, expert care to local patients with a life‑limiting illness, both in their own homes and in our in‑patient unit. Our passionate staff and volunteers make sure our care is personalised to each patient’s needs and supports their loved ones too. We have a thriving therapeutic & wellbeing service providing counselling, physiotherapy, activity groups and more, and a specialist lymphoedema service. As a registered charity, we raise vital funds through our dedicated business development team and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.

In return for your skills you can expect:

• The chance to make a real impact in your community
• A supportive team and collaborative working environment
• Great benefits package – including 35 days’ holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays), contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity/sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
• Blue Light Card discounts (with membership), and an employee assistance programme.

This appointment is subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.