Assistant Shop Manager - Christchurch

Blue Cross For Pets; Christchurch; On-site; GBP 9,000; Part time

Job summary

A non-profit animal welfare organization in Christchurch seeks an Assistant Shop Manager to lead a retail team, engage with the local community, and manage store operations. Ideal candidates will have strong retail experience, customer service skills, and the ability to motivate volunteers. The role is part-time with a salary of £8,957 per year, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

38 days holiday (full-time equivalent)

Wellbeing support programs

Access to 24/7 GP services

Health cash plan

Pension scheme with enhanced contributions

Life assurance

Employee assistance programme

20% discount on pet insurance

Annual volunteer days

Charity worker discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a retail environment.
• Strong cash handling and reconciliation abilities.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer experience.
• Good computer and administrative skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales and manage store operations.
• Support recruitment and training of volunteers.
• Create a friendly shopping experience.
• Support flexible working patterns including weekends.

Skills

Retail experience

Cash handling

Team leadership

Customer service

Computer skills

Job description

Assistant Shop Manager - Christchurch

Application Deadline: 30 November 2025

Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Christchurch

Reporting To: Store Manager

Compensation: £8,957 / year

Description

Contract: Permanent, part time (14 hours over 2 days)

Salary: £8,957 per annum pro rata (£22,394 FTE)

Location: Saxon Square, Christchurch

Closing date: Sunday 30th November 2025

Interview date: Interviews will be arranged as applications are received

With over 50 charity shops across England and Wales, our Christchurch shop is based within a community that is rich with history and welcomes locals and tourists alike!

More about the role

Using your experience in retail management/leadership, you will work with our Shop Manager and local community to drive forward sales and source quality fashion, accessories and homeware from donations to regenerate and find a new home!

This store really needs someone who understands the local community and can work to build a solid customer base and network of generous donors. Every item sold helps fund our vital work: supporting sick, injured, and homeless pets and caring for over 40,000 animals each year through our rehoming, veterinary, and education programmes.

We're looking for a positive role model to join our leadership team, guiding our team of volunteers in creating a friendly and welcoming shopping experience. We'd like you to have experience of managing others and have creative ways to lead and motivate a team to achieve maximum success. In this role, you will be supporting the recruitment and training of new volunteers, sharing your knowledge of merchandising and provide a quality customer service to those both purchasing and donating.

Our shop is open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 till 17:00 and your normal working pattern may change each week, subject to the needs of the business and the levels of staff and volunteers available to work. This working pattern includes weekends and bank holidays so having the ability to be flexible is essential, and you may also be required to support with additional holiday and sickness cover.

Join us today to have a career you can be proud of!

About you

You could be a current team leader or supervisor, looking to take on more management responsibility or you could be an experienced manager (or deputy) looking for a new challenge.

You will have:

• Previous experience of working in a retail environment
• Cash handling and reconciliation experience
• Experience of leading a team
• Experience of providing great customer experience
• Computer and administration skills

It would also be great if you had:

• Managing volunteers

How to apply

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date. 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:

• Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
• 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
• Health cash plan
• Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
• Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
• Life assurance
• 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Recognition scheme
• Annual volunteer days
• Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.