At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant store, inspire a team, and drive community fundraising for YMCA.
- Company: Join YMCA England & Wales, a charity making a real difference in local communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, pension, regular salary reviews, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of an expanding team with diverse opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact while developing your leadership skills in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: Retail experience, strong organisational skills, and a passion for community service.
Are you an experienced retailer? Why not try a new type of retailing where you get to run your own store, inspiring a team of paid staff and volunteers to be proud of everything you achieve together at the heart of your local community and raise money for an amazing charity? If so we have a fantastic opportunity at our Haverhill store.
Operating within a fast paced environment, you will work effectively and efficiently to maximise income from sales, gift aid, and other promotional activities plus drive donations from the local area. Delivering a great store offer and standards, inspiring your team to give amazing customer service, you will raise funds for and promote the work of YMCA within the local community.
You will have exceptional organisational skills, creative flair and drive which, along with your commercial awareness, will enable you to motivate, develop and inspire your team of paid staff and volunteers. You will be looking for an opportunity to work in an environment that has challenge, excitement and meaning. This role is varied and no two days are the same.
Why join YMCA England & Wales? We’ll give you real autonomy in a role that is varied and stimulating and the opportunity for you to use your entrepreneurial skills to raise money and represent YMCA in your area. You’ll also get a package that includes:
- Pension
- 28 days annual leave including bank holidays (pro rata for part time staff)
- Regular salary reviews
- Sick pay (after a qualifying period)
- Services to support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing, including an Employee Assistance Programme
- Health shield cash plan
This is an exciting time to join us as we embark on a journey of expansion. We are opening many new stores across England and Wales. Our Charity Shops are unique and offer a wide range of donated products. We are passionate about recycling and pride ourselves in selling over 95% of our donated stock and we don’t sell new goods!
If successful, you will be joining an amazing team and receive support and guidance from your Area Manager, Regional Manager, other Store Managers and the wider Retail team at Head Office. At YMCA England & Wales, we strive to create a workplace that fully reflects and serves its local community. We want all staff to feel empowered to bring their full, authentic self to work each day. We have diverse teams, we encourage everyone to do their best and support them to reach their full potential.
If you are passionate about improving young lives, this will be the role for you. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.
Store Manager in Haverhill employer: YMCA
YMCA DownsLink Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Brighton and Hove. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring our staff are equipped to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. Our culture prioritises collaboration and respect, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about supporting vulnerable communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Store Manager in Haverhill
✨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 YMCA, 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 YMCA!
We think you need these skills to ace Store Manager in Haverhill
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 YMCA, 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 YMCA 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 YMCA that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA
✨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!
