Retail Area Manager - Midlands

Blue Cross; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in the Midlands seeks a Retail Area Manager to oversee multiple shops and enhance retail performance. The ideal candidate will have retail management experience, strong leadership abilities, and a collaborative approach in meeting financial targets. The role includes responsibilities like supporting Shop Managers, driving income, and improving customer service while traveling between sites.

Benefits

38 days holiday rising to 43 with service

Free access to GP services

Health cash plan

Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution

Life assurance

20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance

Qualifications

• Experience managing multiple retail sites, preferably within the charity sector.
• Hands-on leader who can effectively manage and develop both employees and volunteers.
• Collaborative approach essential, as retail team plays a key role in wider initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of shops across the Midlands and Worcester.
• Lead and support Shop Managers and volunteers.
• Drive performance, maximise income and deliver outstanding customer experience.

Skills

Retail management within a commercial company and/or a UK registered charity

Experience of achieving success against financial targets

Experience of developing and monitoring budgets and operating plans

Experience of managing, training and developing people

Full UK driving licence

Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

Job description

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Retail Area Manager - Midlands

Application Deadline: 17 August 2025

Department: Fundraising, Comms & Engagement

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Midlands

Reporting To: Head of Retail

Compensation: GBP 33,156 - GBP 41,970 / year

Description

Contract: Permanent, full time (35 hours over 5 days)

Salary: GBP 33,156 - GBP 41,970 p/annum

Location: Across the Midlands and Worcester

Closing date: Sunday 17th August 2025

Interview stages: Virtual Interview - 26th or 27th August 2025 followed by a second stage interview with a presentation - 9th or 10th September 2025

At Blue Cross, we're proud of our growing retail operation which plays a vital role in funding our mission to support pets and their owners. Following a strong 2024 and being shortlisted for Outstanding Retail Charity of the Year 2025 by the Charity Retail Association, we're looking for a talented Retail Area Manager to join our ambitious team and to build on that momentum.

More about the role

As Retail Area Manager, you will oversee a portfolio of Blue Cross shops across the Midlands and Worcester. You'll be responsible for leading and supporting Shop Managers and volunteers to drive performance, maximise income and deliver an outstanding customer experience - all while upholding our animal welfare values.

You'll travel regularly between sites (approx. 10,000 business miles/year), supported by a hybrid automatic company vehicle in line with our environmental strategy.

About you

You will bring experience managing multiple retail sites, preferably within the charity sector with vast experience in growing sales and improving net profit. You will be a hands-on leader who can effectively manage and develop both employees and volunteers whilst demonstrating excellent communication and problem-solving skills. A collaborative approach is essential, as the retail team plays a key role in wider Blue Cross initiatives such as Pet Food Banks and the campaign to End Greyhound Racing.

Knowledge, skills, and experience

• Full UK driving licence and comfortable driving an automatic vehicle
• Retail management within a commercial company and/ or a UK registered charity
• Experience of achieving success against financial targets
• Experience of developing and monitoring budgets and operating plans
• Experience of managing, training and developing people
• The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values

Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:

• Experience of direct management and on-going development of staff in a multi-site situation
• UK charity sector retail management

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
• Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
• 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.