Shop Manager, Andover

Contract: Permanent, full time, 35 hours per week over 5 days Salary: £21,840 - £23,374 Location: Andover, SP10 1NG Closing date: Sunday 20 October 2024 We're recruiting a Shop Manager for our wonderful shop in Andover! At Blue Cross, our shops are more than just retail spaces—they're vibrant hubs supporting our mission to care for animals in need. 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 Shop Manager, you'll be the heart and soul of our Andover shop, driving sales, fostering community connections, and ensuring our shop thrives. Your responsibilities include: Working towards sales targets and maximising profits. Building strong community ties. Creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers, delivering exceptional service and representing Blue Cross with pride. Keeping things running smoothly with efficient paperwork, accurate data management, and adherence to retail standards. Maintaining optimal stock levels, ensuring our shelves are always full of treasures for our customers. Prioritising the safety of our team and customers, following all health and safety protocols with care and diligence. Your role will involve recruiting, training, and supporting our dedicated group of volunteers to ensure our shop runs smoothly and efficiently. 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: Retail management experience Commercial awareness to deliver sales Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong external relationships. Good IT skills and a basic understanding of finance Good people management skills Excellent customer service skills It would also be great if you had: Full driving licence Experience of working with 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. 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 20 October 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. 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 ******, 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 October 20, 2024 Department Fundraising, Comms & Engagement Employment Type Permanent - Full Time Location Andover Workplace type Onsite Compensation £21,840 - £23,374 / year Reporting To Area Manager #J-18808-Ljbffr