Job Description

JOB TITLE -

Store Assistant

ORGANISATION -

Dorset Scrapstore

LOCATION -

Dorset Scrapstore, Unit 23, Cortry Close, Poole, BH12 4BQ

CONTRACT / HOURS -

Every Sunday 9.45-2.15 and every other Saturday 9.45 to 4.15

RESPONSIBLE TO -

Charity Business Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR -

na

SALARY -

12.50 per hour

ANNUAL LEAVE -

5.6 weeks per annum pro rata

We are looking for an enthusiastic Store Assistant to join the team, blending volunteers and paid staff here at our inspiring community store in Poole!

Dorset Scrapstore is a not-for-profit Charity providing a community crafting hub that facilitates the education and reuse of scrap materials across the County.

It's a varied role, so you'll never be bored! Reporting to the Charity Business Manager, you'll be using the till, helping customers and supporting the volunteers in organising how donations are sorted, priced and presented in the store. In addition you'll also have responsibility for opening up, cashing up and locking up.

The person we are looking for will need to have great interpersonal skills and have a proactive approach to problem solving, multi-tasking and prioritisation. Creativity, and an interest in arts, crafts, upcycling and/or re-purposing is advantageous. You'll need to be physically reasonably fit to do this role and enjoy it. We're a small team working hard to meet the charity's objectives, so we like to ensure we can support each other. Training and support are given where needed.

About Us

We collect clean, surplus materials destined for landfill, mainly donated by industry and commerce, and also from individual households. These unique and exciting salvaged materials become a valuable, low cost resource for art, craft, education and community projects. Dorset Scrapstore is a membership organisation that has been supporting local schools, community groups and families for over 25 years with the key aim of supplying low cost craft materials through environmental means. Dorset Scrapstore is a registered charity and not-for-profit company. As well as operating our store, we hold art and crafts workshops and attend events.

Main duties and responsibilities

Provide a courteous and helpful service to customers, including handling customer queries. Offer creative advice to members regarding their creative projects. General stocking-up and preparation of materials to display in store. Cash-handling and accurate use of the till. Merchandising, sorting out and organising donations. Store opening & closing responsibility and cashing up To be aware of, and comply with all Health & Safety legislation relating to the welfare and safety of staff and volunteers, the operation of the shop and all items sold (training given). Ensure that shop premises are clean and tidy. Handle membership enquiries and check data completed on membership forms. Ensure the effective display and presentation of materials across the Store. Entering data of new members onto our database. Work effectively as part of the Dorset Scrapstore team, which includes both Staff and Volunteers. Help to load and unload van at times and sort materials. Help to keep the store tidy and well organised.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Key criteria

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the essential criteria below through their application and at interview.

Criteria

- Essential/ Desirable

Qualifications

Educated to Level 5 GCSEs or equivalent - Desirable

Skills

Strong interpersonal & communication skills - Essential

Excellent customer service skills - Essential

Involvement/interest in the arts, crafting, upcycling and/or creativity - Essential

Computer experience - Desirable

Experience

Retail experience including till operation - Highly Desirable

Charity sector experience - Desirable

Working with volunteers. Knowledge of safeguarding & Inclusion & Diversity - Desirable

Working with people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - Desirable

Person

A commitment to the values, aims and objectives of the Scrapstore - Essential

Positive and enthusiastic - Essential

Ability to work as part of a team and independently - Essential

Comfortable opening and locking the store on Saturdays and Sundays -

Essential

Physically able to stand for most of the time in store and bend and stretch and lift items safely (<16kg waist height. HSE guidelines apply) - Essential

Willing to have a DBS check - Essential

For more information about us see www.dorsetscrapstore.org.uk and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/dorsetscrapstore.

To apply: Please send a current CV together with a covering letter, explaining clearly how your skills and experience meet the requirements in the Job and Person Specification, and why you would like to work for us, to: enquiries@dorsetscrapstore.org.uk

Closing date: Midnight Friday 16th January 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 19th January 2026

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 12.50 per hour

Education:

GCSE or equivalent (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person