Job Description

Are you a passionate and driven retail manager who wants to use your skills for good? We are in search of a confident and efficient Shop Manager, with charity retail experience, excellent customer service skills and real creative flair, to manage our new shop in Bedford. You would be joining our retail team at an exciting time of growth and development, with our charity shops raising vital funds for our work rescuing and rehoming pets in need


At National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) we believe every pet deserves the chance to thrive in a loving home. Across our five rehoming centres in the south of England, we welcome cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs who have been lost, left behind, or simply need someone to care.

About the role:

The position is 35 hours per week, 5 full days, working between 9:30am - 5:00pm.


As Shop Manager you will be responsible for the general running of the shop and ensuring sales targets are achieved. You will work collaboratively with staff and volunteers to ensure excellent customer service and promote NAWT within the local community, working closely with your local rehoming centre.


Some of your key responsibilities will include:

Manage, inspire and develop direct reports, creating a high performing team that work collaboratively Recruitment, training and coordinating volunteers Shop layout, visual merchandising and window displays Stock sorting, selection and pricing to achieve optimum income Maximise Gift Aid sales by ensuring good operational processes and ongoing volunteer training Ensure Fire and H&S regulations are met, and all policies are followed

About you:

With a broad range of donated and bought in products to manage, we are looking for a creative, dynamic and flexible manager who has the customer and the charity at the heart of everything they do, who is hard working, hands on and commercially aware.


You need to have the passion and leadership skills to motivate a team of volunteers.


The successful candidate will have previous retail experience (ideally in a Charity Shop environment) as well as experience of cash handling and banking. You will have good organisational skills and an interest in the products we sell.


In this varied and exciting role, you will be instrumental in ensuring your shop is a successful part of the community, working closely with our Beds Rehoming Centre and representing the National Animal Welfare Trust.


As part of our commitment to making NAWT a great place to work, we offer access to the following employee benefits:

25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays (pro-rated for part time staff). Extra holiday for long service after a qualifying period. Contributory pension. Group Life Assurance. Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.

To apply please email your CV with covering letter to Debbie Page, Retail Area Manager at d.page@nawt.org.uk


The full can be viewed below.

Closing date for applications is 3

rd

October 2025. However, we are accepting applications on a rolling basis and may close the recruitment process for this role prior to the deadline, so early applications are encouraged.

Shop Manager - Bedford