Assistant Shop Manager - Oxley Park

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

Benefits offered by this job

35 days' holiday pro rata

Contributory pension

Enhanced maternity/sick pay

Professional development

Blue Light Card discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes is seeking an Assistant Shop Manager for a fixed 9-month term in our Oxley Park shop. You will support the Shop Manager, lead volunteers, and drive shop performance while maintaining exceptional customer service.

The role requires retail experience, supervisory capability, and flexibility to work weekends. You will ensure cash handling, stock control, and compliance with health and safety policies. This is a community-focused opportunity within a respected charity.

Qualifications

• Experience in a retail setting, ideally with supervisory duties.
• Ability to lead and motivate a small team of volunteers.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Confident with handling cash, stock, and shop operations.
• Willingness to work weekends and cover shifts as needed.
• Commitment to charity values and mission.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily operation and performance of the shop to meet sales targets and KPIs.
• Support stock processing, pricing, merchandising, and maintain a clean shop.
• Ensure high standard of customer service at all times.
• Supervise volunteers, assist with recruitment, training, and coordination.
• Manage rotas and delegate tasks with the Shop Manager.
• Handle cash, banking, and financial records per charity procedures.
• Act as key holder, open/close shop, and cover Manager’s absence.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and security policies.
• Promote charity values and fundraising activities locally.

Skills

Retail experience

Supervisory experience

Customer service

Cash handling

Team leadership

Stock management

Physical fitness

Charity sector values

Weekend availability

Job description

Location Oxley Park - Milton Keynes Salary £25,515.15 pro rata per annum (£15,309.09 actual salary for hours worked) Working pattern Flexible Rota including weekends Closing Date Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Job Summary

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

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Shop Manager to join our retail team, supporting the Shop Manager in the daily operation of our shop in Oxley Park for a fixed term period of 9 months - inspiring volunteers and customers alike.

What you’ll do:

• Assisting in the daily operation and performance of the shop to meet sales targets and KPIs
• Supporting with stock processing, pricing, merchandising, and maintaining a 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, opening and closing the shop, and overseeing operations in the Manager’s absence
• Ensuring the shop complies with all health, safety, and security policies
• Promoting the charity’s values and fundraising initiatives in the local community

What you’ll need:

• Experience in 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 an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Job Profile Job Profile document

About the organisation

Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice is the 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 a specialist Lymphoedema service. As a registered charity, we raise vital funds through our dedicated Business Development team and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.

Benefits

• The chance to make a real impact in your community
• A supportive team and collaborative working environment
• Great benefits package – including 35 days' holiday pro rata, inclusive of Bank Holidays, contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity/sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
• Perks and extras –Blue Light Card discounts (with membership), and an Employee Assistance Programme.