Job Description

Retail Cover Supervisor (Zero Hours) - Poole and Christchurch
Application Deadline: 28 September 2025
Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement
Employment Type: Zero Hours
Location: Poole
Reporting To: Shop Manager
Compensation: 13.69 / hour
Description
Contract: Zero Hours
Salary: 13.69 p/hour
Location: High Street, Poole and Saxon Square, Christchurch
Closing date: Sunday 28th September 2025
Our generous supporters donate a mixture of clothes, books, toys, household goods and soft furnishings that we sell in our shops and online. All the money raised goes towards enabling Blue Cross to support sick, injured, and homeless pets and care for more than 40,000 animals every year through our rehoming, veterinary and education programmes.
By joining us as a Cover Supervisor, means you will have a direct impact to the charities mission whilst working flexible days that suit you and your lifestyle and leading our team of volunteers to provide quality customer service to encourage the community to shop and donate with us!
More about the role
As a Standby Shop Assistant, you will step in to provide essential support to our instore teams, ensuring we have enough cover to keep our shop running smoothly.
You will assist with customer service, stock management, and general shop duties. With our shops open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and you will help us maintain high standards of service and presentation. You will work alongside a dedicated team of staff and volunteers in a role that is both flexible and impactful.
This is a zero-hours contract, which means your hours will vary based on the shop's needs. We are committed to paying the National Living Wage, which is currently 12.21 per hour. For this role, the total hourly rate is 13.69, including additional elements like holiday pay.
If you are excited about making a difference in a busy, supportive environment, we would love to hear from you!
Internally, this role is known as a Standby Shop Assistant.
About you
We are looking for someone who:
Has previous experience working in a retail environment.
Is proficient in cash handling and reconciliation.
Has supervisory experience.
Thrives in a customer-facing environment.
Possesses computer literacy and administration skills.
It would also be great if you have experience:
Managing volunteers.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date. 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.
Blue Cross benefits
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 the difference that we do today.
In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
Our generous benefits package includes:

• 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
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
• Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the page on our website.

Skills Required