Charity Assistant Store Manager

Job description

Forces Support is a national charity dedicated to supporting bereaved families of Service Personnel and helping Veterans rebuild their lives. Through our network of charity shops across the UK, we raise vital funds thanks to the commitment of our dedicated staff and volunteers. Every item donated and every purchase made in our stores directly supports meaningful projects delivered by our trusted charity partners. Founded in March 2010, our mission is to provide relief and support to the families of those who lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces, and to ensure that all Veterans have access to world-class care and opportunities to thrive in civilian life. We are also proud to be a national employer, supporting both paid and volunteer roles. Our shops are recognised as centres of excellence for recycling, and we are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant as well as recipients of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. From donated furniture and clothing to household goods and bric-a-brac, every item we sell helps us make a real difference to bereaved families and Veterans across the UK.

Position: Assistant Store Manager - Bishop Auckland (Permanent) - 24 hours per week, Mon - Sun

Key Responsibilities– As Assistant Store Manager you are responsible for assisting the Store Manager to maximise shop sales and profitability. To achieve this the Assistant Store Manager should support the management of staff, volunteers, premises and stock to provide a high standard retail environment. The Assistant Store Manager will assume full responsibility for the shop in the absence of the Manager.

Further Accountabilities

Sales

• To support the Store Manager to maximise shop income and minimise shops costs and expenditure.
• Manage Gift Aid and maximise the conversion rates in line with Charity guidelines and expectations
• Ensure that the highest level of customer service is delivered at all times.
  • Ensure stock quality and effective stock rotation.
• Implement promotions in the shop as directed by the Store Manager/Area Manager

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• Maintain a high standard in terms of presentation in both the windows and interior of the shop.
• Daily Floor walks, checking stock levels, ensuring stock is clearly priced, that branding material is displayed and that the store is clear, clean and tidy
• Ensure that the layout of the shop is as directed by the Store Manager/Area Manager.
• Achieve and maintain high standards of housekeeping ensuring that the shop is clean and tidy at all times in both front of house and stockroom areas.

Stock

• Actively encourage the donation of stock via Facebook Marketplace and local community groups
• Ensure a sufficient stock replenishment system to the shop floor
  • Select and price stock at a consistent level
• Rotate stock and refresh the sales floor daily and in line with rotation policy
• Effectively merchandise stores and window displays

Community Engagement

• Actively engage with local Estate Agents and other Companies to generate potential stock
• Actively engage with Facebook Communities to raise the Charity's profile and generate potential stock and volunteers
• Engage with local Charity Partners, attending 'coffee mornings' and other events, generating potential volunteers

Staff and Volunteers

• Review the hours and requirements for cover in the absence of the Store Manager. Ensuring that there is adequate cover for each trading day.
• Assist with training and where required and induction of staff and volunteers.
• Assist in organising rotas ensuring sufficient cover for the store at all times and ensure that jobs are allocated to staff and volunteers to maximise completion of tasks.
• Ensure when organising rotas that there is always a member of Store Management present for each shift (Holiday and absence permitting). Fairness of rotas should always be considered (i.e. Management should alternate weekends where possible).
• Maintain and promote a pleasant working environment, for all staff and volunteers so that maximum productivity can be achieved.
• Ensure that staff and volunteers adhere to and comply with all Forces Support policies, procedures and directions.
• Assist in the recruitment of sufficient levels of volunteers to support the store objectives.
• Assisting in staff and volunteer inductions and continued training in line with Charity Polices and Procedures ensuring that staff and volunteers complete training

Administration

• Ensure that all paperwork is completed in a timely manner and submitted as directed.
• Ensure compliance and guidelines are followed in relation to cash handling, banking and financial procedures and Charity Policies.
• Ensure that staff and volunteer files are up to date at all times and stored in compliance with GDPR.
• Hold shop keys, ensuring that the secure when not open

Health and Safety

• Provide a safe working environment, promoting this to all staff and volunteers, and customers
• Comply with all Health and Safety regulations at all times.
• Ensure that all maintenance issues are reported to the Area Manager as a matter of urgency.
• Ensure that all risk assessments completed in store are accurate at all times
• Ensure that all fire equipment is up to date and regularly serviced in line with fire regulations
• Ensure that any alarms installed in store are tested each week and all tests are recorded accordingly.

General Accountability

• Provide support and assistance to other Store Management teams and staff at other locations, this at times may involve covering another store during periods of absence
• To complete any other task, as directed by the Area Manager.
• Post holders are expected to be familiar and comply with all Policies and Procedures and working practices.
• The job description is an overview of the main aspects and expectations of the role and is liable to progress and develop as the charity continues to expand.
• It is subject to variation, which will be discussed as they occur, and is not exhaustive.
• The Post holder will be required to undertake any other duties as dictated, as long as they are perceived reasonable and within capability.

Benefits

• 20 + 8 days paid holiday pro rata if part time (Raising with length of service)
• Workplace Pension scheme
• Staff Discount and referral scheme
• Helping our armed forces families
• Employee Assistance Programme

We actively support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families. As valued members of staff they contribute to the success of our Charity.

The Charity recognises the hard work and sacrifice shown by members of the Armed Forces and is committed to ensuring that individuals who serve have the same opportunities for employment as others. This incorporates volunteer and regular Reservists, veterans and their family members.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £12.45 per hour

Expected hours: 24 per week

Benefits:

• Referral programme
• Store discount

Experience:

• Retail Management: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person