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 Shop Manager, you'll be the heart and soul of our Malvern shop, driving sales, fostering community connections, and ensuring our shop thrives. Your responsibilities include:
1. Working towards sales targets and maximising profits.
2. Building strong community ties.
3. Creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers, delivering exceptional service and representing Blue Cross with pride.
4. Keeping things running smoothly with efficient paperwork, accurate data management, and adherence to retail standards.
5. Maintaining optimal stock levels, ensuring our shelves are always full of treasures for our customers.
6. Prioritising the safety of our team and customers, following all health and safety protocols with care and diligence.
Now, let's talk about your team. We're fortunate to have a dedicated group of volunteers who are the lifeblood of our shops. Your role will involve recruiting, training, and supporting these amazing individuals to ensure our shop runs smoothly and efficiently.
Our Malvern shop is open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 til 17:00. Your normal working pattern may change each week, subject to the needs of the business and the levels of staff and volunteers available to work and will involve a significant element of weekend working.
Due to the nature of the role this may involve some lone working and you will need to be willing to provide support and work at other shops as required.
With opportunities for growth and development, competitive benefits, and a team dedicated to our mission, Blue Cross offers more than just a job—it offers a chance to be part of something meaningful and rewarding.
About you You'll have a background in retail management, supported by a proven track record of driving sales and exceeding targets. Your leadership and team management skills will be pivotal to success in this role, as you cultivate strong relationships with both customers and volunteers.
Your great organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail will guarantee smooth operations, while your unwavering commitment to upholding high standards of health and safety underscores your reliability and professionalism. Adaptability and flexibility are also essential attributes we're seeking.
Essential qualifications, skills, and experience:
7. Retail management experience
8. Commercial awareness to deliver sales
9. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong external relationships.
10. Good IT skills and a basic understanding of finance
11. Good people management skills
12. Excellent customer service skills
It would also be great if you had:
13. Full driving licence
14. Experience of working with volunteers
15. 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.
Our generous benefits package includes:
16. 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
17. Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
18. Free access to GP via MetLife - 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
19. Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
20. Health cash plan
21. Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
22. Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
23. Claim for professional fees
24. Life assurance
25. 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
26. Enhanced family friendly policies
27. Recognition scheme
28. Annual volunteer days
29. Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
30. Personal development programme