Assistant Shop Manager - Kingston (9 month Fixed Term)

Willen Hospice; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Subsidised catering

Blue Light Card discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes is seeking an Assistant Shop Manager to support the brand new pop-up children’s shop in The Kingston Centre. You will lead a small team of volunteers, drive sales, and ensure a welcoming, well-presented store.

This 9‑month fixed term role requires hands-on operation, rota planning, cash handling, and close collaboration with the Shop Manager to deliver fundraising aims and high patient-centered care through compassionate retail.

Qualifications

• Experienced in a retail environment, ideally in a supervisory or team leader role.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team and deliver great customer service.
• Organised with confidence handling money, stock, and shop operations.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily shop operations to meet sales targets and KPIs.
• Support stock processing, pricing, merchandising, and maintaining a clean, well-presented retail space.
• Ensure a high standard of customer service at all times.
• Supervise volunteers, including recruitment, training and coordination.
• Manage rotas and delegate tasks with the Shop Manager.
• Handle cash, banking, and financial records in line with charity procedures.
• Act as a key holder, opening/closing the shop and overseeing operations in the Manager’s absence.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and security policies.
• Promote the charity’s values and fundraising initiatives in the local community.

Skills

Retail leadership

Customer service

Team leadership

Cash handling

Stock management

Health & safety awareness

Flexibility

Communication

Job description

Assistant Shop Manager - Kingston (9 month Fixed Term)

Location Kingston - Milton Keynes

Salary £25,515 per annum pro rata (£15,309 per annum actual salary for hours worked)

Working pattern 7 Day Rota

Closing Date Monday, October 5, 2026

Job Summary

Are you passionate about retail and ready for a fresh challenge where you can make a real difference in the community?

Are you passionate about retail and ready for a fresh challenge where you can make a real difference inyourcommunity?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for anAssistantShop Managerto join our retail team, supporting the Shop Manager in the daily operation of ourbrand newpop-up children’s shop in The Kingston Centre -inspiring volunteers and customers alike.

Whatyou’lldo:

• Assistingin the daily operation and performance of the shop to meet sales targets and KPIs

• Supporting with stock processing, pricing, merchandising, andmaintaininga clean, well-presented retail space

• Ensuring a high standard of customer service at all times

• Supporting and supervising a team of dedicated volunteers, helping with their recruitment, training, and coordination

• Managing rotas and delegating daily tasks in collaboration with the Shop Manager

• Handling cash, banking, and financial records in line with charity procedures

• Acting as a key holder,openingand closing the shop, and overseeing operations in the Manager’s absence

• Ensuring the shopcomplies withall health, safety, and security policies

• Promoting the charity’s values and fundraising initiatives in the local community

Whatyou’llneed:

• Experiencedin a retail environment, ideally in a supervisory or team leader role

• Friendly, approachable, and able to lead and motivate a team

• Great customer service and communication skills

• Organised and confident handling money, stock, and shop operations

• A team player who thrives in a fast-paced, varied environment

• Be physically fit to move and handle stock safely

• A commitment to the values and mission of the charity sector

• Flexibility to work weekends and cover shifts as needed, including in other nearby shops

This appointment is subject to a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Fixed Term Role for 9 months

Job Profile Job Profile document

About the organisation

Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice isthe leading provider of specialist palliative care in the Milton Keynes area. We offer round-the-clock, expert care to local patients with a life-limiting illness, both in their own homes and in our In-Patient Unit. Our passionate staff and volunteers make sure our care is personalised to each patient’s needs and supports their loved ones too.We have a thriving Therapeutic & Wellbeing service providing counselling, physiotherapy, activity groups and more, and aspecialist Lymphoedema service. As a registered charity, we raise vital funds through our dedicatedIncome Generationteam and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.

Benefits

• Arole withpurpose –be part of a team delivering outstanding palliative care.

• Supportiveandcaringenvironment –work with passionate colleagues.

• Greatbenefitspackage –generous annual leave entitlementstarting at35 days(inclusive of statutory and bank holidays),contributorypensionscheme,enhanced maternity/sick pay, and ongoing professional development.

• Perksand extras –free on-site parking, subsidised catering, Blue Light Card discounts(with membership), and an Employee Assistance Programme.