Address
Form of work
SalaryJob title: Assistant Shop Manager
Contract: Permanent, part time, 14 hours over 2 days per week
Salary: £8,736 (FTE £21,840)
Location: Market Place, Warminster
Closing date: Monday 1 April 2024
We’re recruiting anAssistant Shop Managerforour wonderful shop in the historic market town of Warminster!
Your new role will be essential in supporting our cause, making a positive impact on the lives of animals in need. Join us and be part of something truly special!
More about the role
Blue Cross is a leading UK animal welfare charity, with a network of over 50 charity shops across England and Wales.
Our dedicated supporters generously contribute various items - from clothing to books, toys, household goods, and soft furnishings - all of which find their way into our shops and online platforms. The funds raised through these sales play a pivotal role in supporting Blue Cross's mission: aiding sick, injured, and homeless pets and ensuring the care of over 40,000 animals each year through our rehoming, veterinary, and education programmes.
As our Assistant Shop Manager in Warminster, you'll work closely with the Shop Manager, overseeing day-to-day shop operations, including generating donations, managing displays and merchandising, coordinating stock deliveries and collections, maintaining records, and handling cash.
Additionally, you'll play a key role in recruiting, training, motivating, and managing a dedicated team of volunteers, ensuring they are aligned with our cause and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in their roles. Together with the Shop Manager, you'll shape the shop's direction at a local level, fostering a welcoming and engaging environment for both customers and volunteers alike.
Our Warminster shop operates Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 17:00. Your shift pattern may vary week by week to accommodate business needs and the availability of staff and volunteers, including weekend work and occasional lone shifts. Flexibility is key, as there may be time when you're required to cover for the Shop Manager, necessitating additional hours.
About you
Our dedicated supporters generously contribute various items - from clothing to books, toys, household goods, and soft furnishings - all of which find their way into our shops and online platforms. The funds raised through these sales play a pivotal role in supporting Blue Cross's mission: aiding sick, injured, and homeless pets and ensuring the care of over 40,000 animals each year through our rehoming, veterinary, and education programmes.
As our Assistant Shop Manager in Warminster, you'll work closely with the Shop Manager, overseeing day-to-day shop operations, including generating donations, managing displays and merchandising, coordinating stock deliveries and collections, maintaining records, and handling cash.
Additionally, you'll play a key role in recruiting, training, motivating, and managing a dedicated team of volunteers, ensuring they are aligned with our cause and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in their roles. Together with the Shop Manager, you'll shape the shop's direction at a local level, fostering a welcoming and engaging environment for both customers and volunteers alike.
Our Warminster shop operates Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 17:00. Your shift pattern may vary week by week to accommodate business needs and the availability of staff and volunteers, including weekend work and occasional lone shifts. Flexibility is key, as there may be time when you're required to cover for the Shop Manager, necessitating additional hours.
About you
You'll have previous experience in a retail environment and familiarity with cash handling and reconciliation. Excellent customer service skills are a must, along with the ability to provide a positive and welcoming experience for customers.
In this role, being a great team leader is important. You'll be able to motivate and guide a team of volunteers to ensure the seamless operation of the shop.
Flexibility is essential as the working schedule may change weekly to accommodate business demands and staff availability, often involving weekend shifts. Comfort with occasional lone working and willingness to work extra hours when necessary are crucial, showcasing adaptability and a proactive approach to shop management.
You will have:
- Previous experience of working in a retail environment
- Cash handling and reconciliation experience
- Experience of leading a team
- Experience of providing great customer experience
- Computer and administration skills
It would also be great if you had:
- Managing volunteers
- Experience of fundraising
Why Blue Cross?
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make a difference that we do today.
In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can.
We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
Our generous benefits package includes:
- 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife - 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Claim for professional fees
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
- Personal development programme
How to apply
complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 7 April 2024.
Applications will be reviewed as we receive them and interviews arranged accordingly. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.
About Blue Cross
Blue Cross is a national charity that has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1897.
Every month we help thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and find homeless pets loving families. We also offer education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion.
We love the ways that pets can make such an amazing difference to the people they live with and we offer lifelong support and advice to help that unique relationship thrive. With your support we can give back to more pets and their families who need our help.
Pets change lives. We change theirs.
Every month we help thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and find homeless pets loving families. We also offer education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion.
We love the ways that pets can make such an amazing difference to the people they live with and we offer lifelong support and advice to help that unique relationship thrive. With your support we can give back to more pets and their families who need our help.
Pets change lives. We change theirs.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
We believe that every pet should enjoy a healthy life in a happy home, and we always seek to recruit the best people who share our values and commitment so we can continue to help and support pet owners across the UK to achieve this.
At Blue Cross, we want you to feel that you belong, without the need to hide any part of who you are.
Diversity and inclusion at Blue Cross means creating a workplace where all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, nation or country of origin, disability, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome, respected, supported, and have access to equal opportunities.
We are working hard to reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve at every level of our organisation. As much as we have made positive advances, we consider diversity and inclusion to be a work in progress – a continual commitment that remains a priority for all of us.
If you would like to talk to us about any reasonable adjustments or changes to our recruitment process to support you to be your best, then please get in touch either via email at jobs@bluecross.org.uk, via telephone on 01993 825515 or if you would prefer a video call then we can arrange this using Microsoft Teams.
Our values
Our values define the way we do things. We use them every day to guide us, and to make sure we put people and pets at the heart of everything we do.
Compassionate: We listen, we are non-judgmental, we are kind and caring to the pets and people we encounter, and we offer support in difficult times
Courageous: We make brave decisions, embrace change, and encourage innovation, ensuring we always act with integrity – doing the right thing even when no one is looking
Inclusive: We value all our relationships and work in an open and positive culture where we celebrate our diverse talents and empower you to be you
Application Deadline
April 01, 2024
Department
Fundraising, Comms & Engagement
Employment Type
Permanent - Part Time
Location
Warminster
Workplace type
Onsite
Compensation
£8,736 / year
Reporting To
Shop Manager
