Job Description

Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP)
JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Sales Assistant - 1 positions

Reports to Shop Manager

Location: Cushendall, Ballymena

Region: Northern Ireland (North)

Date of Job: May 25

Closing date: 22nd May 2025

1. PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Sales Assistant is responsible for assisting in the day to day running of the SVP shop, maintaining standards and achieving sales through effective sales techniques and contributing to the sustainable profitability of the shop.

3. ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) is a large, national, voluntary organisation with extensive experience of working with a diverse range of people who experience poverty and exclusion. Through its network of volunteers and 700 staff, it is strongly committed to working for social justice and advocates the creation of a more just and caring society.

There are 28 shops in North Region (NI) and 230 on the island of Ireland. The shops are staffed by a combination of paid managers, sales assistants and volunteers.

SVP is a Christian based organisation with a strong sense of Gospel values. The founder of SVP, Blessed Frederick Ozanam, was a devout Catholic and his legacy of spirituality remains a key element of the make-up of every Conference within the Society. It is normal practice within SVP that prayers are said at the beginning and end of Conference meetings or at other meetings where members are in attendance as this underpins the ethos of the Society.

4. GUIDANCE AND AUTHORITY
The job holder will report directly to the Shop Manager.

5. PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES /ACCOUNTABILITIES
Stock Assist with adequate levels of stock.

Assist with stock on display.
Assist with all displays, presentation and promotions.
Ensure all stock on display is of the highest quality and is clearly priced.
Set and maintain high standards of cleanliness and tidiness on the shop floor and in the sorting room.
Price furniture, etc., for resale.
Liaise with Society members in the organisation and delivery of furniture granted by Conference.

Staff Strictly apply all work procedures and standards and ensure they are maintained.
Ensure customer service is of the highest standard.
Deal with customer complaints efficiently and according to the Customer Service
Policy.
Ensure shop opening hours are adhered to.
Ensure staff purchases policy is adhered to.
Ensure Society's Health and Safety Policy is strictly adhered to, that Risk
Assessments are carried out and that all staff are provided with full and timely information on H&S issues.

Complete any paperwork as necessary.
Ensure all sales are registered and documented on the same day.
Implement and control adequate security systems for the protection of staff, stock and cash.
Cash up and carry out banking duties on occasions.
Report any problems or staff/volunteer misconduct immediately to the
Management Committee.
Carry out stocktaking where necessary and report results.

Salvage Record and pack salvage for collection.
Ensure payment is recorded.

Comply fully with all decisions of the shop manager. To undertake other duties appropriate to the post which may evolve as the role progresses.

6. OTHER INFORMATION
In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the job holder may be required from time to time to perform other duties as deemed reasonable and necessary by the employer.

The job holder may also be required from time to time to work or attend training/meetings at another location.

7. EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS TO UNDERTAKE THE ROLE AT A FULLY ACCEPTABLE LEVEL

Essential Criteria

The job holder must have the following:

1. GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths.
2. Proven experience in stock control.
3. Proven experience in customer service delivery.
4. Proven experience in financial matters, including cash reconciliation.
5. Experience with social media and computer literate
6. Flexible 'can do' attitude, the ability to adapt to change and interact with people.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience working in retail within the charity sector.

Skills to be tested at interview stage

1. Excellent organisation skills
2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
3. An ability to work well under pressure, resilient.
4. An ability to display empathy, patience and a well-developed sense of humour.
5. Ability to be flexible in approach and towards the role.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

8. Equal Opportunities
The Society is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes application from all sections of the community. All appointments will be made on the basis of merit.

9. MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract Type: Permanent after successful probation
Location: SVP, Cushendall

Hours: 15 hours per week

Pension: Up to 7% contribution by SVP and employee

Salary: 12.21 hourly rate

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 12.21 per hour

Expected hours: 15 per week

Benefits:

Company pension
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: VA462