Job Description
Charity Shop Manager
Job Title: / Charity Shop Manager
Reporting to: / Head of Business Development
Job Purpose: / To manage Active Prospects’Charity Shop in Horley and to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the shop. This is the charity’s first retail shop which aims to raise awareness of the organisation and raise funds for our care and support services.
The Charity Shop Manager is responsible for maximising revenue through the sale of donated goods and will need to think creatively about how to generate stock, attract customers and offer a positive shopping experience.
The Manager will manage a team of volunteers, which includes people with learning disabilities, physical and mental health needs and will need a calm and empowering approach to support them to developskills and experience and achieve positive outcomes.
Main Responsibilities: / Shop Management (pro-actively working with colleagues across Active Prospects)
  • To ensure the retail space is set up to run as an effective Charity Shop including sorting and storage area, cash desk, fitting rooms, racks and window display.
  • To ensure all external and internal signage and information is consistent with Active Prospects’ brand.
  • To promote the launch of the shop, to encourage donated goods, volunteers and customers.
  • To work with the Assistant Manager to deliver a consistent and co-ordinated approach with effective handover between shifts.
  • To provide a warm, friendly and helpful service to retail customers including serving, wrapping goods and cash handling.
  • To generate stock througha range of initiatives to generate donated goods for sale and ensure it is rotated regularly.
  • To ensure donations are sorted, cleaned and labelled ready for display.
  • To establish and implement a pricing policy for donated goods to optimise income.
  • To visibly present merchandise attractively, including an eye-catching window display, replenishing racks and shelves so they remain well-stocked
  • To organise a calendar of promotions to tie in with seasons, celebration events or other themes
  • To research and develop a Gift Aid Scheme in accordance with HMRC regulations and in liaison with the Head of Finance.
  • To organise recycling or disposal of goods that cannot be sold to prevent build-up of waste.
Recruitment and Management of Volunteers (also supported interns, apprentices and supported employment) This is a key goal for the shop and a significant part of the Managers role.
  • To work with colleagues across Active Prospects to recruit volunteers, ensuring reference and DBS checks have been carried out.
  • To liaise with Service Managers across Active Prospects to identify people we support who may have an interest in volunteering in the shop.
  • To liaise with the Future Prospects Co-ordinator (Job Coach) to offer opportunities for supported internship placements within the retail shop and to help coach and mentor interns to achieve their goals.
  • To recruit, induct, train and retain a team of volunteersusing a person-centred approach to support them to achieve positive outcomes.
  • To ensure all staff and volunteers are aware of and share a commitment to Active Prospects aims and values and can tell others about our work.
  • To manage a staff and volunteer rota to ensure the shop is open during advertised trading hours and co-ordinate cover for holiday, sickness and periods of absence.
  • To establishhigh standards of customer service and ensure staff and volunteers are trained to achieve them.
  • Ensure staff and volunteers are trained in how to open and close the shop, manage the alarm and operate the cash register.
Financial Management
  • To manage an income and expenditure budget to ensure profitability of the shop,
  • To agree financial procedures with the Head of Finance, such as cash register reconciliation, banking of shop takings and daily/weekly financial returns.
  • To identify opportunities to maximise income from donated stock, liaising with specialist buyers or placing goods on online auction sites, where appropriate.
  • To minimise expenditure by sourcing donated goods and services and developing links with the local community.
  • To set up and manage procedures for recording Gift Aid donations that are in line with HMRC regulations and internal financial and information governance procedures.
Knowledge and Standards
  • To attend mandatory training either at Head Office or through e-learning (Safeguarding, Health & Safety at Work, Equality & Diversity etc.) and any specialist training specific to the role.
  • To have a comprehensive understanding of, and comply with, all Health and Safety legislation relating to the running of the shop, items sold and the welfare of volunteers and customers.
  • To ensure the shop premises, including pavement area, shop doorway and refuse area are kept clean and tidy and maintained to a high standard.
  • To comply with Trading Standards Legislation.
Providing information, advice and signposting
  • To have an understanding of learning disabilities and mental health needs to be able to talk in an informed way about what services and support are available locally.
  • To act as an Ambassador for Active Prospects and be able to outline our services.
  • To maintain a supply of leaflets and other information to use to signpost people to sources of local help and support.

General Responsibilities: / Standard text on health and safety, safeguarding etc.
Name of Job Holder: / Signature of Job Holder: / Date:
Person Specification
Values / Requirement / Measures
Essential / Desirable
Aspiring
I see the potential in others and myself, and I strive to reach this. /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Caring
I care about others, I am considerate and approachable. /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Trusting
I act with integrity, I am honest and transparent. /  /
  • Application
  • Interview
  • Test

Including
I am inclusive, I am able to recognise and celebrate difference and diversity. /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Valuing
I value others, I actively promote dignity and I am respectful. /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Enabling
I work pro-actively to shape our organisation and services. /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Experience and Other Requirements / Requirement / Measures
Essential / Desirable
Retail or customer service experience, ideally within a Charity Shop /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Creative flair, merchandising skills and entrepreneurial approach. relishes scope for personal initiative /  /
  • Interview

Experience of supporting people with learning disabilities or mental health needs /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Proven ability to engage, mentor and motivate a group of volunteers with diverse needs and aspirations to progress towards positive personal outcomes /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Experience of building support networks and collaborative partnerships /  /
  • Application
  • Interview

Ability to work with colleagues across Active Prospects in Business Development, Training, Marketing, Finance and IT to solicit their support for the project /  /
  • Interview

Honest, flexible and reliable and able to maintain a safe working environment /  /
  • Interview

Ability to innovate and think creatively to generate stock and attract customers /  /
  • Interview

Excellent core skills (written and spoken English, maths), good IT skills(including Microsoft Office) and admin skills /  /
  • Application

Commitment to equality and diversity and inclusive approach /  /
  • Interview

Car driver and use of own car /  /
  • Application