Temp Shop Manager - Colchester

C2 Recruitment Limited; Colchester; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

C2 Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Shop Manager for a temporary Colchester role during the 2026 Christmas season. You will manage daily shop operations, lead volunteers, and deliver excellent customer service to maximise charity income.

The position offers full-time and part-time hours, with an emphasis on hands-on leadership, stock control and community engagement in a busy seasonal 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 own initiative.
• Good commercial awareness and a focus on achieving sales.
• Ability to build positive relationships within the local community.
• Flexible and positive approach to changing needs of a busy seasonal shop.

Responsibilities

• Managing the day-to-day running of the shop.
• Leading, motivating and supporting a team of volunteers.
• 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, 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 service

Team leadership

Organisation

Communication

Independence

Sales focus

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
• 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.