Assistant Shop Manager - Fixed term

Job Title: Assistant Charity Shop Manager

Directorate: Business Development Team/Function: Retail

People Manager: To volunteer team Direct Reports:

Size of team: Grade:

Job Summary:

As Charity Assistant Shop Manager, you will support the Shop manager to lead a team of volunteers to maximise the potential of our retail superstore - generating much needed funds which will be used to provide palliative and end of life care to people living in the Wigan Borough. This is a chance to make a real and meaningful difference in charity that is very much rooted in this community.

Employee Expectations

All Wigan & Leigh Hospice employees are expected to:

• Show commitment to our vision, mission, and values: Compassion, Accessibility, Respect and Excellence, and demonstrate this through their work and interactions internally and externally, and on our behalf.
• Reflect the values of Wigan & Leigh Hospice in all behaviour and activities including alignment with the hospice's strategic priorities.
• Be committed to furthering the aims of the charity and developing your own skills to benefit both yourself and the charity.
• Respect our obligations and approaches to health and safety, data protection, equality and diversity and safeguarding compliance and best practice.
• Take responsibility for the safety of yourself and others, raising concerns about anything you feel may put someone at risk.
• Promote and safeguard the good reputation of the charity by acting in a way which is ethical and moral, and avoiding any activities that could bring the charity's reputation into disrepute.

Main Responsibilities

1. Responsible for the day to day running of the shop including:
   • Maintaining high standards of merchandising and window dressing, ensuring the shop is well presented, clean and tidy.
   • Sorting, pricing, moving and handling of stock, both donated and new goods, ensuring stock rotation system is in place.
   • Following cash handling procedures.
   • Being a key holder, opening and closing the shop, and ensuring the premises are secure.
   • Deputising for the manager in their absence.
2. Co ordinating a team of volunteers:
   • Developing strong and effective working relationships with volunteers.
   • Supporting recruitment and training of new volunteers to support the shop.
   • Supporting the shop manager to hold regular meetings to keep volunteers informed of what is happening at the hospice and showing them the contribution they make.
3. Ensuring customer service is professional and supports the ethos of the hospice:
   • Ensuring a professional and friendly service is always given to all customers by all members of the team.
   • Ensuring all donations are accepted politely and professionally.
4. Maximise income from donated items using the pricing guide to ensure accurate and competitive pricing:
   • Work with the shop manager to develop new ideas to maximise sales.
   • Keep up to date with the latest developments in charity retail to ensure your shop remains competitive.
5. Gift Aid:
   • Follow gift aid procedures working with the shop manager to ensure correct data protection procedures are in place.
   • Assist with training to develop the volunteer team to understand the importance of gift aid in terms of income and procedures.
6. Promoting your shop in the local community:
   • Building strong relationships with customers and taking an active part in any appropriate community events.
   • Promoting the role of the charity within the community.
   • Working with the hospice communications team to develop promotion materials and social media content which promote your shop.

Other duties may be required, broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

This role will involve working some Saturdays and Sundays, with days off during the week. There may occasionally be a requirement to work hours outside of your normal working week. When this is the case, notice will be given and time given off in lieu.

Person Specification About you: Qualifications & Experience

• Experience of working in charity retail as an assistant shop manager or sales assistant.
• Experience of working with and supporting volunteers.
• Experience of working to, meeting and exceeding financial targets.
• Experience of using a till system.
• Knowledge of Gift Aid Legislation and experience of following a Gift Aid scheme.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent telephone manner.
• Flexible, friendly, accessible attitude.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good timekeeping.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to work within a team including volunteers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Personal Qualities & Attributes

• Results focused.
• Emotionally resilient.
• Understanding of and empathy with a hospice environment.
• Team player who earns trust and respect.
• Positive professional approach.

How to apply

Contract: Fixed Term - 6 months
Salary: £15,057 per annum (pro rata of £24,761 per annum)

Interview Date: TBC

Hours: 22.5 hours per week, on a salary of £15,057 per annum (pro rata of £24,761 per annum). There may occasionally be a requirement to work hours outside of your normal working week.

Shops opening hours are Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm.

This role will mainly be based in Wigan area, however, you could be asked to travel to the Hospice or between other Hospice shops, therefore, a full UK driving licence and access to a car insured for business use is desirable.

Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV with a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to .

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, this will mean you have been unsuccessful this time.

Successful appointments will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Services Check (DBS) check.

Please note this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the Points Based System. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK in order to be eligible to take up the post.

About the Organisation

Wigan and Leigh Hospice is a well-established charity which has been operating since 1983. We provide a wide range of palliative care services to people with advancing life limiting illnesses of any diagnosis and to those people important to them. The support we offer is tailored to meet individuals' physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs.

Wigan & Leigh Hospice is a wonderful place to work. Our staff are our greatest asset providing the very highest standard of care. All our teams are part of the Hospice team: working together to make the Hospice the best it can be. We have achieved Outstanding in the last CQC inspection. Our values: Compassion, Accessibility, Respect, Excellence, are at the heart of everything we do.

Benefits

• A warm and welcoming working environment.
• 35 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays (increasing with length of service).
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Shopping, leisure and holiday discounts.
• Westfield Health - Health Cash Plan.
• Life Assurance.
• A range of Wellbeing initiatives.

Training and Development

We recognise that training and development needs can arise at any time and aim to provide the most appropriate support - from self directed learning to formal education and training.

All hospice employees receive an annual appraisal - a chance for open, honest and supportive discussion with their manager about performance, goals and development needs.

Employee Assistance

We offer employee assistance programmes to support health and wellbeing - including counselling, wellbeing resources and access to expert advisors on a range of topics.

Our Wellbeing Champions are on hand to listen, offer resources and signpost colleagues to the right support - all while promoting positive health and wellbeing.

Flexible Working

We support our employees to balance work and home life by considering flexible working arrangements. All eligible staff have the right to request flexible working.

Annual Leave and Pay

Employees receive a generous annual leave entitlement of 35 days, including bank holidays. Part time staff receive leave pro rata to their hours.

Employees pay a minimum contribution of 3% and can choose to pay more, while the hospice contributes 7%. Qualified clinical staff may remain in the NHS pension scheme, if eligible.

Employees receive an annual incremental rise within their pay scale, allowing progression in post up to the top of the band. This is in addition to any pay award that may be implemented.