Re-Use Shop Manager

Candidate Information Pack

Contents

Introductory Letter from the Business Manager Page 2

Job Description Page 4

Person Specification Page 7

Terms and Conditions of Employment and Employee Benefits Page 8

Information Page 9

Application Form Page 12

Equal Opportunities Page 19

Declaration Page 21

Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in the post of Re-Use Shop Manager for Emmaus Merseyside. Emmaus Merseyside is the most recent addition to the Emmaus movement here in the UK.

Emmaus UK is a federal body supporting 28 Communities and 10 Groups in the UK. We are part of Emmaus International with over 300 Communities worldwide. Emmaus Communities offer homeless and socially excluded people a home, companionship, work and the chance to rebuild their lives in a supportive environment. Residents, known as Companions, work full time in their Community’s social enterprises enabling them to develop skills and build self-respect, whilst also enabling their Community to become financially self-sustaining.

This role is an exciting opportunity for a candidate with the right skills and experience to be part of an innovative and collaborative team. If this role sounds interesting and you believe you have what it takes to deliver, we look forward to hearing from you.

Please note, the role will involve contact with vulnerable people and will therefore be subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

If you are interested in applying for this role, please complete the application form and relevant documents which are included in this pack.

Your completed application should be returned to:

or alternatively by post to:

Emmaus Merseyside, 1 School Lane, Seaforth, Sefton, Merseyside, L21 3TQ.

For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please contact Angela Quinn, Emmaus Merseyside Business Manager on 07415 598 363.

Yours faithfully


Angela Quinn

Business Manager

Emmaus Merseyside

Re-Use Shop Manager

Job Description

Location: / Emmaus Merseyside
Accountable to: / Business Manager
Responsible for / Companions and volunteers

Overall Purpose of the Job

To oversee the day to day running of the Emmaus Merseyside Re-Use Shop. You will support the Business Manager by working as requested with other staff, volunteers and companions to meet the target requirements for sales income and environmental targets whilst providing customers and supporters with a positive experience of Emmaus through excellent retail practices.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Re-Use Shop Manager Responsibilities:

  • Ensure the retail outlet responds effectively to customer needs and demands including maximising trading days / times
  • Make the arrangements necessary to enable the retail unit to meet income generation requirements, (e.g. materials, supplies, staffing, publicity, waste management and sales including deliveries/collections etc.)
  • Ensure that trading and other activities comply with the agreed Emmaus policies and practices, project /action and business plans. Manage risks, solve issues and problems proactively, and escalate issues to the Business Manager as appropriate
  • Keep accurate and up to date information of all aspects of trading activities as required for regular reporting to the Emmaus Merseyside Board and other relevant agencies
  • To perform all cleaning/recycling and sorting of waste tasks in accordance with training and instructions received.
  • Ensure high standards of professionalism at all times ensuring the right service is delivered to the client and to meet the requirements of audits and environmental specifications
  • Inspecting materials for any contamination, and required fire labels.
  • Ensure that trading and other activities comply with the agreed Emmaus policies and practices, project /action and business plans.
  • Manage risks, solve issues and problems proactively, and escalate issues to the Retail Manager as appropriate
  • Keep accurate and up to date information of all aspects of trading activities and environmental issues as required for regular reporting to the Retail Manager and other relevant agencies
  • Ensure they sign in and out via agreed the site procedures to comply with health and safety guidelines.
  • Ensure the correct Personal Protective Equipment is correctly worn at all times.
  • In addition all company uniform is worn at all times to portray the correct company image.
  • Ensure all Emmaus procedures with regard to holidays and other absences are followed.
  • Ensure high standards of time keeping and punctuality as laid out in their terms and conditions of employment

Retail Unit specific responsibilities

  • Ensure that all merchandise is displayed attractively to agreed standards and in a manner that is accessible to customers. Ensure an excellent standard of customer service.
  • Achieve the sales targets for the retail unit. Promote the sign up for Gift Aid, ensuring goods are correctly labelled in accordance with our gift aid policies and maximum donations are gift aided. Ensuring all proper administrative procedures are followed
  • Ensure effective security measures throughout the Retail unit ( till operation, cash handling, security of stock and the premises)
  • Maintain a positive active relationship with other Re use shops
  • Ensure collections and deliveries are arranged in an efficient and cost effective manner. Receive stock and prepare for sale, including sorting, testing, repairing, hanging, steaming and pricing according to category.
  • Implement all promotional activity as advised, including Emmaus promotions, for example solidarity events.
  • Escalate to your line manager any issues and problems experienced, agree and implement resolutions.

Policy Implementation

  • Implement all policies and procedures needed to ensure Emmaus Merseyside fulfil all their various legal obligations working practices on site meet the relevant mandatory requirements (e.g. Health/Fire and Safety, trading standards etc.).

External Relations:

Implement the marketing and publicity activities as agreed from time to time. Monitor their effectiveness and feedback on effectiveness. Make use of social media and other relevant channels of communication and marketing ( E Bay, Gumtree etc.), working under the direction of the Business Manager with the Emmaus UK Communications Team, local individuals, groups and bodies as appropriate.

  • Maintain good relations with the local community and voluntary organisations
  • May be required to work in other locations if requested by Line Manager.

Financial Control

  • Emmaus Communities aim to be self -sustaining financially and the Retail Manager is expected to take effective measures towards this goal. Accounts of financial information must be clear, accurate and up to date, and the post holder should ensure that a “value for money” approach is adopted throughout the Retail unit activities.

Other Duties

  • Attend meetings.
  • Perform any other tasks or duties deemed necessary by the Business Manager or Board of Trustees.

General

Emmaus works with vulnerable people. Staff and volunteers must observe the proper demarcation and professional boundaries while performing their role.

The post holder must always act in a way which will maintain the good reputation of the Emmaus organisation, upholding its policies and procedures. The post holder will strive to preserve good working relationships with Staff, Volunteers, Companions and the Trustees, keeping the appropriate key personnel well informed of significant matters relating to the Community

We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently. You will be expected to apply sound ‘value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.

In Emmaus, volunteers are an important resource and make a vital contribution to Emmaus’s aim to take action to help disadvantaged people. You will be expected to encourage, develop and support volunteer involvement in our work.

Emmaus Merseyside March 2018

Re-Use Shop Manager

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Education:
  • GCSEs or equivalent including passes in English and Maths subjects
/
  • Education:
  • Other related professional education/training

Skills:
  • Ability to communicate effectively and provide excellent customer service in an efficient and courteous manner
  • Effective leadership and the ability to motivate others
  • Ability to plan and prioritise workloads and delegate accordingly whilst meeting specified deadlines
  • Good administrative and organisational skills ICT skills including Microsoft Word/ Excel, Internet/ email /Social media
  • Good verbal communication skills
  • Desire to work as part of a team to generate fresh and innovative ideas
  • Implement and maintain a Gift Aid system
  • Ability to deal with confidential information in an appropriate manner
  • Abilty to merchandise stock in an attractive and presentable manner
/ Skills:
  • Ability to solve problems through consensus.
  • Ability to drive

Experience:
  • Proven experience in managing and developing a successful retail business operation
  • Experience of working with a Volunteer workforce. (recruitment, leadership , support and supervision )
  • Ability to work with a range of local groups and organisations.
  • Experience of handling money safely and securely.
  • Building effective working relationships with agencies and service providers
/ Experience:
  • Voluntary/Charity sector experience, working with a Board of Trustees
  • Charity Shop work
  • Recycling & waste reduction activities

Knowledge:
  • Working knowledge of health and safety, trading standards and other regulations that relate to the operation of a retail unit.
  • An awareness and understanding of mental health issues
/ Knowledge:
  • Knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding homelessness

Other:
  • Accepting and promoting the values and ethos of Emmaus
  • Effective team worker
  • Ability to work with and relate to a diverse range of people
  • Self-motivated
  • Flexible attitude to work, some weekend and evening working may be required
  • Awareness and understanding of Equal Opportunities
  • Some local and UK wide travel may be required
  • Maintaining awareness of market trends in the retail industry

Terms and Conditions of Employment: Summary Points

  • Salary- Circa £17,000
  • Working Hours – full time hours are 35 hours per week, which will need to be worked flexibly to meet customer demand.
  • Flexible Working – Options are available, subject to the requirements of individual roles and work priorities.
  • Annual Leave – 25 days per annum, plus 8 bank holidays.
  • Pension – A contributory pension is available

Information

What is Emmaus and what does it do?

Emmaus Merseyside is an independent social enterprise, registered as a charity and company limited by guarantee, which is also affiliated to Emmaus UK. Emmaus projects provide accommodation, training and employment together with personal support to enable previously homeless people to rebuild their lives and move on to independent living.

Emmaus projects combine two main elements:

• A social enterprise business

• An accommodation scheme and training facility

The people who are accommodated in an Emmaus scheme help to run the facility, prepare the food, clean the premises, maintain the gardens and run the furniture recycling and any other work related activities which may be set up. The income raised by the social enterprise activities helps to fund the costs of the residential accommodation, training and employment support that we provide.

Why is an Emmaus project needed on Merseyside?

Emmaus projects focus on helping people who are faced with homelessness, poverty and who may have experienced the loss of their job and / or family break up.

The need for services that help disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our region is currently growing at an alarming rate – in recent times there has been a 22% rise in the number of people on Merseyside presenting themselves as homeless.

Against the backdrop of the economic recession and the various welfare reforms, the number of homeless and vulnerable people in this region is likely to grow further. Allied to this, the extent of support services provided to homeless people are under severe pressure due to continued cuts to local authority budgets – which will result in a decline in services at a time when demand is growing.

The need for an Emmaus project on Merseyside is therefore acute – and will help to provide those faced with poverty a chance to become more stable and begin to rebuild their lives.

Information about Emmaus Merseyside’s activities: The Superstore

We opened the Retail Superstore at 38 Sandy Road, Seaforth, in Sefton at the end of May 2014 and two Re Use Shops on the Waste Recycling Centres, in Irlam Road Bootle and Cheadle Avenue Old Swan.

The premises are ideally suited to our activities, which will include:

• A furniture shop

• A recycling centre

We have advertised widely to let people know about the opportunity to donate any unwanted furniture, clothing, bric-a-brac or other household goods to Emmaus Merseyside. We collect and deliver goods to and from our retail outlet.

We have raised funds from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority to help advertise the Retail Superstore and have produced a short film to promote public awareness yet further (

We have had some generous support from both charitable trusts and private sector organisations towards the costs involved in setting up the social enterprise in addition to the support of our customers and those in the community.

We employ a full time Manager who is assisted by Companions and Volunteers who help with displaying goods, serving customers, collections and deliveries, furniture repairs, internet sales, social media, administration etc.

We work closely with a developing network of local organisations. The Retail Superstore has now been operating for over 4 years and trading activity has risen steadily over the period.

Information about Emmaus Merseyside’s activities: The Community (Residential Scheme)

We worked closely in partnership with the Riverside Housing Group and raised the capital funds from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and other sources towards the costs required to build the scheme which l provide 28 self-contained bedrooms – together with sleep-over accommodation for two staff.

The accommodation includes catering standard kitchen facilities, communal dining area, lounges, IT training, fitness equipment and other meeting/ training facilities. The outside area is being used to create a participation garden where we hope to grow our own food and support other local groups in addition to a public open space area.

The site at School Lane in the Seaforth is very near to the social enterprise (less than 5 minutes’ walk) and is ideally suited for the residential development. We received very positive responses to our proposals from local groups and residents in the area as well as from the Local Authority.

Work started on site in April 2014 and the residential accommodation was handed over May 2016. We welcomed our first Companions shortly after at the beginning of June 2016 all of which were from other communities around the UK that have moved here to help Emmaus Merseyside grow which is why they are known as our “Seed Companions”.

What others have said about Emmaus?

The Emmaus model is tried and tested over many years and has been subject to significant independent evaluation. For example, Emmaus commissioned Just Economics to undertake a Social Return on Investment study of its work and found that Emmaus projects produced a return of £11 for every £1 invested or an average of £2 million per community.

We have been increasing our presence on Social Media using Facebook and Twitter where you can see some of our recent activities;

: /emmausmerseyside

: @emmausmersey

For further information about our social impact, please read our “Making an Impact” reports at

A recent Newsletter and link to the Emmaus Merseyside “Sponsor a Bed Campaign” and a short film on the Retail Superstore can be found at

If you would like some further information on any of these opportunities or have your own ideas of how you might be able to help us, then please contact us.

Registered Charity No: 1110220 Company Registered No: 5075117

Re-Use Shop Manager

Application Form

Return address:1 School Lane, Seaforth, Sefton, Merseyside, L21 3TQ.

Tel: 07802 884 715

Registered charity no: 1110220

Emmaus UK website:

Merseyside website:

Please complete this form accurately, giving as many details as possible of your skills and experience relating to the job. Short-listing will be based on the information gathered from this form and read in conjunction with the person specification for the role

Job Details:

Job applied for: / Location (if applicable):
Please state where you saw this post advertised:

Personal Details:

Title: / First name / Surname:
Address: / Email:
Home tel:
Daytime tel:
Mobile:
Do you have a legal right to work in the UK? Yes/No
*If ‘Yes’, and there are conditions attached, for example start or finish dates, please specify
* If ‘No’, what type of work permit do you require?
Driving licence - Do you hold a full driving licence: Yes/No *If ‘Yes’ provide details of endorsements if you have any / How much notice are you required to give your current employer?

Reasons for applying:

Please outline your reasons for applying for the post. (Please continue onto a separate sheet if necessary)

Education and Qualifications: