Job Description

Role: Assistant Charity Shop Manager
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: 24,761 per annum
Closing date: 14/08/2025
Interview Date: TBC

The available role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our busy Retail team as an Assistant Charity Shop Manager.

The role involves working weekends, with days off during the week.

As an Assistant Manager you will work alongside the Shop Manager and a team of volunteers to maximise the potential of our charity shop in Wigan - helping to generate much needed funds which will be used to provide palliative and end of life care to people living in the Wigan Borough. This is a chance to make a real and meaningful difference in a charity that is very much rooted in this community.

You will also receive industry specialised training to help you progress in your career in charity retail, which could see you running your own charity shop one day.

Hours:

37.5 hours per week on a salary of 24,761 per annum. There may occasionally be a requirement to work hours outside of your normal working week.

Shop opening hours are Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm.

This role will mainly be based in Wigan, however, you could be asked to travel to the Hospice or between other Hospice shops, therefore,

a full UK driving licence and access to a car insured for business use is essential.

How to apply

Applicants should submit an up-to-date CV with a supporting statement setting out how you meet the criteria for the role to hr@wlh.org.uk

If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, this will mean you have been unsuccessful this time.

Successful appointments will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Services Check (DBS) check.

Please note this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the Points Based System. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK in order to be eligible to take up the post.

About us

Wigan and Leigh Hospice is a well-established charity which has been operating since 1983. We provide a wide range of palliative care services to people with advancing life-limiting illnesses of any diagnosis and to those people important to them. The support we offer is tailored to meet individuals' physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs.

Wigan & Leigh Hospice is a wonderful place to work. Our staff are our greatest asset providing the very highest standard of care. All our teams are all part of the Hospice team: working together to make the Hospice the best it can be. We have achieved Outstanding in the last CQC inspection. Our values: Compassion, Accessibility, Respect, Excellence, are at the heart of everything we do.

We are proud to offer a wide range of benefits, including:

A warm and welcoming working environment, 35 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays (increasing with length of service), Contributary pension scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Shopping, leisure and holiday discounts, On demand GP, Westfield Health - Health Cash Plan, Life Assurance, A range of Wellbeing initiatives.
We are committed to protect the privacy and security of your personal information. To see how we do this please visit our website and read our "Role Applicants Data Protection Compliance Statement (Privacy Notice)".

Job Title: Charity Assistant Shop Manager
Directorate: Business Development
Team/Function: Retail
People Manager: To volunteer team

Job Summary:
As Charity Assistant Shop Manager, you will support the Shop manager to lead a team of volunteers to maximise the potential of our retail superstore - generating much needed funds which will be used to provide palliative and end of life care to people living in the Wigan Borough. This is a chance to make a real and meaningful difference in charity that is very much rooted in this community.

All Wigan & Leigh Hospice employees are expected to:

Show commitment to our vision, mission, and values: Compassion, Accessibility, Respect and Excellence and demonstrate this through their work and interactions internally and externally, and on our behalf. Reflect the values of Wigan & Leigh Hospice in all behaviour and activities including alignment with the hospice's strategic priorities. Be committed to furthering the aims of the charity and developing your own skills to benefit both yourself and the charity. Respect our obligations and approaches to health and safety, data protection, equality and diversity and safeguarding compliance and best practice. Take responsibility for the safety of yourself and others, raising concerns about anything you feel may put someone at risk. Promote and safeguard the good reputation of the charity by acting in a way which is ethical and moral, and avoiding any activities that could bring the charity's reputation into disrepute.
Main Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for the day to day running of the shop including:

i. Maintaining high standards of merchandising and window dressing, ensuring the shop is well presented, clean and tidy.

ii. Sorting, pricing moving and handling of stock, both donated and new goods, ensuring stock rotation system is in place.

iii. Following cash handling procedures.

iv. being a key holder, opening and closing the shop and ensuring the premises are secure.

v. Deputising for the manager in their absence

2. Co-ordinating a team of volunteers:

i. Developing strong and effective working relationships with volunteers

ii. Supporting with the recruitment and training new volunteers to support the shop

iii. Support the shop manager to hold regular meeting to keep volunteers informed of what is happening at the hospice and showing them the contribution they make.

3. Providing excellent customer service:

i. Ensuring customer service is professional and supports the ethos of the hospice.

ii. Ensuring professional and friendly service is always given to all customers by all members of the team.

iii. Ensure all donations are accepted politely and professionally.

4. Maximising shop income

i. Maximise income from donated items using the pricing guide to ensure accurate and competitive pricing.

ii. Work with the shop manager to develop new ideas to maximise sales.

iii. Keeping up to date with the latest developments in charity retail to ensure your shop remains competitive

5. Gift Aid:

i. Follow gift aid procedures working with the shop manager to ensure correct data protection procedures are in place.

ii. Assist with training to develop the volunteer team to understand to importance of gift aid in terms of income and procedures.

6. Promoting your shop in the local community

i. Building strong relationships with the customers and taking an active part in any appropriate community events.

ii. Promoting the role of the charity within the community.

iii. Work with the hospice communications team to develop promotion materials and social media content which promote your shop

Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and all employees may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Other things to note about this role are:

This role will involve working some Saturdays and Sundays, with days off during the week. There may occasionally be a requirement to work hours outside of your normal working week. When this is the case, notice will be given and time given off in lieu.

Person Specification

To be successful in this role you will need the following:

Qualifications & Experience - Essential

Experience of working in charity retail as an assistant shop manager or sales assistant
Experience of working to, meeting and exceeding financial targets
Experience of using a till system
Knowledge of Gift Aid Legislation and experience of following a Gift Aid scheme
Desirable - Experience of working with and supporting volunteers

Skills and Abilities - Essential

Excellent organisational skills
Excellent telephone manner
Flexible friendly accessible attitude
Excellent communication skills
Good timekeeping
Ability to work flexible hours
Ability to work within a team including volunteers
Ability to maintain confidentiality

Personal Qualities & Attributes - Essential

Results focused
Emotionally resilient
Understanding of and empathy a hospice environment
Team player who earns trust and respect
Positive professional approach

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 24,761.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Discounted or free food Free parking On-site parking
Schedule:

Every weekend Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person