Shop Manager - Colchester

C2 Recruitment Ltd; Colchester; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

C2 Recruitment Ltd in Colchester is seeking an experienced Shop Manager for a busy Christmas shop. You will oversee day-to-day operations, lead volunteers, deliver excellent customer service and help maximise sales during the 2026 season.

The role is temporary, with full-time and part-time hours available from October to December 2026. A hands-on manager with strong organisation, communication and people skills will thrive in this charity retail environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-facing or retail environment.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Experience leading, managing or supporting a team.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• The confidence to work independently and use your own initiative.
• Good commercial awareness and a focus on achieving sales.
• The ability to build positive relationships within the local community.
• A flexible and positive approach to the changing needs of a busy seasonal shop.
• Previous retail management, charity retail or volunteer management experience would be an advantage, but the right attitude is essential.

Responsibilities

• Managing the day-to-day running of the shop.
• Leading, motivating and supporting a team of volunteers.
• Organising volunteer rotas and ensuring appropriate shop cover.
• Delivering excellent customer service and maintaining a welcoming shop environment.
• Helping achieve sales targets and maximise income.
• Supporting shop set-up, deliveries, merchandising and stock management.
• Operating EPOS and overseeing cash handling, reconciliation and banking.
• Building positive relationships with volunteers, the venue and Regional Manager.
• Promoting the shop within the local community to increase awareness and footfall.
• Supporting local events, promotional activity and marketing opportunities.
• Ensuring the shop remains well-stocked, attractive and commercially focused.

Skills

customer-facing

retail environment

organisational skills

time-management

leadership

communication skills

initiative

sales focus

community engagement

Job description

Shop Manager - Colchester | Seasonal Christmas Retail

Location: Colchester, CO1 1LX
Contract: Temporary - October to December 2026
Hours: Full-time and part-time available
Pay: £12.71 per hour

Are you an experienced Shop Manager, Store Manager or Retail Supervisor looking for a rewarding temporary retail role this Christmas?

Our client is looking for an enthusiastic and organised Shop Manager to join their Colchester team for the 2026 Christmas season.

This is a hands‑on seasonal retail role where you will help manage the day‑to‑day running of the shop, lead and support volunteers, deliver excellent customer service and help maximise sales and income for charities and good causes.

About the Role

As Shop Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring the successful operation of the Colchester shop throughout the Christmas trading period.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the day-to-day running of the shop
• Leading, motivating and supporting a team of volunteers
• Organising volunteer rotas and ensuring appropriate shop cover
• Delivering excellent customer service and maintaining a welcoming shop environment
• Helping achieve sales targets and maximise income
• Supporting shop set-up, deliveries, merchandising and stock management
• Operating EPOS and overseeing cash handling, reconciliation and banking
• Building positive relationships with volunteers, the venue and Regional Manager
• Promoting the shop within the local community to increase awareness and footfall
• Supporting local events, promotional activity and marketing opportunities
• Ensuring the shop remains well-stocked, attractive and commercially focused

About You

We are looking for a Shop Manager, Store Manager, Retail Supervisor or experienced retail professional who enjoys working with people and can confidently take responsibility for a busy seasonal shop.

You will ideally have:

• Experience in a customer-facing or retail environment
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Experience leading, managing or supporting a team
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• The confidence to work independently and use your own initiative
• Good commercial awareness and a focus on achieving sales
• The ability to build positive relationships within the local community
• A flexible and positive approach to the changing needs of a busy seasonal shop

Previous retail management, charity retail or volunteer management experience would be an advantage, but the right attitude, enthusiasm and ability to work with people are equally important.

A Seasonal Role That Makes a Difference

This is a fantastic opportunity to combine retail management and community engagement with the chance to support charities and good causes during the important Christmas trading period.

With full-time and part-time hours available, this temporary Shop Manager role could suit an experienced retail manager, supervisor or customer-focused professional looking for seasonal employment in Colchester.

If you're organised, enthusiastic and enjoy leading people in a busy retail environment, we'd love to hear from you.

By applying for this role, you are consenting for C2 Recruitment to hold and process your data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations. Your information will always be handled securely and professionally.