At a Glance
- Tasks: Support daily shop operations, inspire volunteers, and ensure excellent customer service.
- Company: Join a leading charity making a real difference in the Milton Keynes community.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days' holiday pro rata and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, including weekends, in a dynamic and rewarding role.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Retail experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for teamwork.
Are you passionate about retail and ready for a fresh challenge where you can make a real difference in the community? An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Shop Manager to join our retail team, supporting the Shop Manager in the daily operation of our shop in Brooklands, inspiring volunteers and customers alike.
What you'll do:
- Assisting in the daily operation and performance of the shop to meet sales targets and KPIs
- Supporting with stock processing, pricing, merchandising, and maintaining a clean, well-presented retail space
- Ensuring a high standard of customer service at all times
- Supporting and supervising a team of dedicated volunteers, helping with their recruitment, training, and coordination
- Managing rotas and delegating daily tasks in collaboration with the Shop Manager
- Handling cash, banking, and financial records in line with charity procedures
- Acting as a key holder, opening and closing the shop, and overseeing operations in the Manager's absence
- Ensuring the shop complies with all health, safety, and security policies
- Promoting the charity's values and fundraising initiatives in the local community
What you'll need:
- Experience in a retail environment, ideally in a supervisory or team leader role
- Friendly, approachable, and able to lead and motivate a team
- Great customer service and communication skills
- Organised and confident handling money, stock, and shop operations
- A team player who thrives in a fast-paced, varied environment
- Be physically fit to move and handle stock safely
- A commitment to the values and mission of the charity sector
- Flexibility to work weekends and cover shifts as needed, including in other nearby shops
This appointment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. If sufficient applications are received, we will close the vacancy in advance of the advertised date. Please apply early.
About the role: 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 Income Generation team and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.
Why join us?
- The chance to make a real impact in your community
- A supportive team and collaborative working environment
- Great benefits package including 35 days' holiday pro rata
Assistant Shop Manager - Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire in Selby employer: Willen Hospice
As an Assistant Shop Manager at our brand new pop-up children's shop in The Kingston Centre, you'll be part of a vibrant team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the Milton Keynes community. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and caring work environment, offering generous benefits such as 35 days of annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development. Join us to inspire volunteers and customers alike while enjoying perks like free on-site parking and discounts through the Blue Light Card.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Shop Manager - Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire in Selby
✨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 Willen 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 Willen Hospice!
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 Willen 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 Willen 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 Willen Hospice that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Willen 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!
