ST JOSEPH’S HOSPICE ASSOCIATION

AREA RETAIL MANAGER

BACKGROUND

  1. St Joseph's Hospice Association (often known as Jospice) is a long-established local charity which offers high-quality care to people who are terminally ill. It runs a 29-bed hospice in Thornton, Merseyside and supportsthree overseas hospices.
  1. The administrative offices of the charity and its fundraising department are on the Thornton hospice site.
  1. The work of the charity costs £2.3M a year. More than half of this has to be raised from Jospice’s own fundraising,legacies etc. A significant part of this comes from the charity’s retail business which currently has 8 shops. It is in the process of opening two new shops, replacing one and closing one.

THE POST

  1. The area retail manager will report to the Director of Fundraising and will be responsible to her for the overall management of all the charity’s shops and the development of a retail strategy for approval by the Trustees.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. To oversee existing and new shops including acting as line manager for all shop managers. This includessetting targets for shops,reviewing achievement against them, and appraising performance of shop managers.
  1. To motivate shop managers to maximise the financial contribution that the existing shops make to the work of the charity through increasing income and controlling expenditure. This includes maximising tax reclaimed under gift aid.
  1. To train and develop shop managers and ensure that shop performance and continuity are unaffected by sickness and holiday absence.
  1. To work with the charity’s Senior Management to develop a strategy for the development of its retail operation for approval by the Trustees.
  1. To oversee the opening (and if necessary closure) of new shops and other developments as may be agreed.This will includeresearching sites, liaising with agents and solicitors,preparing business cases, overseeing fitting-out, appointing managers preparing publicity etc.
  1. To ensure good performance in all aspects of shop operations includingcustomer care, obtaining donations, stock rotation, pricing policies, window displays and van pick-ups and deliveries.
  1. To work closely withthe volunteer coordinator to ensure that volunteers in the shops are managed, developed and trained in line with the charity’s policies.
  1. To ensure that the shops comply with the policies of the charity on HR issues, health and safety, cash handling, waste disposal and property maintenance.
  1. To be responsible to the Chief Executive for shop budgets and financial monitoring.
  1. To network with other retailers including charities running charity shops.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

  1. You must have retail experience, preferably involving the management/oversight of several units.
  1. Experience of charity retail would be an advantage.
  1. You must be able to demonstrate direct experience of staff management and the ability to motivate staff.
  1. You must be able to relate easily and effectively to a wide range of people.
  1. You must be able to demonstrate that you are a self-starter, able to work on your own and use your own initiative while accepting proper direction and accountability.
  1. You must have proven organisation skills, and the ability to set and meet targets and budgets.You must be computer literate.
  1. Experience of working with volunteers is desirable.
  1. A current driving licence and regular use of a car are essential.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. The salary for the post will be in the range £20-26000 depending on skills and experience.
  1. The working week will be 40 hours (including lunch breaks) to be worked as agreed with the Director of Fundraising. Some weekend and evening work will be required.
  1. Holiday entitlement is 28 days including public holidays.
  1. Approved expenses will be reimbursed in full.
  1. The post-holder will work from an office at Jospice Thornton but substantial local travel will be required.