Assistant Store Manager - Pitsea

St Luke's Hospice (Basildon); Basildon; Remote; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke's Hospice in Pitsea is seeking an experienced Assistant Store Manager to support day-to-day shop operations and deliver excellent customer service. You will lead staff and volunteers, drive sales targets and help oversee stock, merchandising and donations processing.

This permanent role offers 37.5 hours weekly across five days, with a salary of £24,900 per annum. You will work closely with the Store Manager and central teams to support fundraising activities for a local charity.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail supervisory roles with ability to lead staff and volunteers.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Good numeracy for cash handling and stock reconciliation.

Responsibilities

• Support Store Manager with daily shop operations and customer experience.
• Supervise and develop shop staff and volunteers; delegate tasks and coach on the job.
• Drive sales targets and assist with stock management, pricing and donations processing.
• Ensure shop merchandising, cleanliness, safety and compliance with policies.
• Manage cash handling and till reconciliation procedures.
• Deliver excellent customer service and handle inquiries promptly.
• Support recruitment, training and rotas for staff and volunteers as required.
• Collaborate with Store Manager and central teams on local fundraising activities and promotions.

Skills

Retail leadership

Customer service

Stock control

Merchandising

Team leadership

Job description

Are you an experienced retail supervisor ready to step up and support a busy, community-focused store? Join our team as Assistant Store Manager and help deliver excellent customer service while supporting the Store Manager to run day-to-day operations efficiently.

St. Luke's Hospice is a local charity providing compassionate care to people whose illnesses are no longer curable. We promote dignity in dying and empower people to make the choices they want, from the moment they are diagnosed.

This is a great opportunity for someone with strong retail experience who would like to play an important part in raising vital funds to help St. Luke's Hospice continue caring for local people and families.

About the role

The Assistant Store Manager will support the Store Manager in delivering excellent customer service, meeting sales targets and maintaining high standards across the store. You will supervise and develop a team of shop colleagues and volunteers, help to manage stock and visual merchandising, and ensure all tasks are completed in line with Hospice policies and procedures.

This role is hands on and varied, offering the chance to contribute to a valued local charity while developing your leadership and retail management skills.

Salary: £24,900 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week over 5 days between Monday and Sunday
Contract: Permanent
Location: Pitsea Shop

Main responsibilities

• Support the Store Manager with the day-to-day running of the shop, ensuring smooth operation and excellent customer experience.
• Supervise, motivate and develop shop staff and volunteers, including delegation of tasks and providing on‑the‑job coaching.
• Deliver sales targets and monitor performance, assisting with stock management, pricing and donations processing.
• Ensure the shop is well merchandised, clean, safe and compliant with health & safety and safeguarding policies.
• Manage cash handling and till reconciliation procedures accurately and securely.
• Deliver excellent customer service, dealing with enquiries and complaints professionally and promptly.
• Support recruitment, training and rotas for shop staff and volunteers as required.
• Work with the Store Manager and central teams to implement local fundraising activity and promotional initiatives.

About you

• Experience working in retail with a good understanding of sales, stock control and merchandising.
• Previous experience supervising or leading a small team, including volunteers, is desirable.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to build rapport and handle challenging situations calmly.
• Good numeracy and attention to detail, particularly for cash handling and stock reconciliation.
• Reliable, organised and able to prioritise tasks to meet business needs.
• Willingness to undertake manual handling of donations and to work flexibly, including occasional weekends or evenings as required.
• Commitment to the values and mission of St. Luke's Hospice and a sensitivity to working within a charity environment.

Please note that the ability to attend the local Hospice shop and travel between sites is required for this role.

Right to Work

St. Luke's Hospice is unable to sponsor work permits or visas. All candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At St. Luke's Hospice, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We particularly welcome applications from disabled, LGBT+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates as these groups are currently under-represented in our teams. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including consideration of access requirements for people who have a disability.