Retail Area Manager (NW England and Yorkshire)

Job Description

Join Blue Cross as a Retail Area Manager and make a real difference in the North West of England and Yorkshire!

More about the role

Our Blue Cross charity shops are treasure troves of pre loved items generously donated by our supporters and a range of new goods. They play a vital role in not only raising money to help pets but also by promoting Blue Cross and raising awareness of the work we do.

As a Retail Area Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading and managing retail operations within your designated region, comprising twelve to fifteen shops across the North West of England and West Midlands.

From team leadership and development to strategic planning and operations management, this role offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to drive income generation and support our charity’s mission.

You will be living in the heart of the North West of England or Yorkshire, for example Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, or Liverpool, to ensure easy access to cover the entire designated area.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire a team of Shop Managers, Assistant Shop Managers, and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and excellence. Recognize and nurture the potential of team members, providing ongoing training and development opportunities to maximize their performance.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Retail to achieve income sales and net profit targets, developing strategies to maximise Gift Aid revenue and drive year-on-year increases in sales and profitability.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to evaluate shop performance, lead recruitment and development of staff, ensure compliance with health & safety regulations, and support strategic shop plans.
• Manage shop repairs and refurbishments within approved budgets, ensuring a safe and inviting environment for customers, staff, and volunteers.
• Support the strategic shops plan, identifying opportunities for new shop openings and implementing turnaround plans for underperforming shops.
• Take the lead on recruitment, training, development, and management of Shop Managers and Assistant Shop Managers, as well as the engagement and support of volunteers, fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork.

About you 

You’ll have previous experience managing a portfolio of retail shops, along with strong people skills, effective problem solving abilities, and excellent organisational skills.

With strong commercial awareness and the ambition to succeed you will be an inspiring leader and motivator who recognises potential in people and is adept in gaining results through people.

Working closely with the Shop Managers in your region, you will demonstrate creativity and innovation to identify income opportunities ensuring the highest standards of shop floor presentation and customer service are always delivered.

You will have: 

• Previous experience managing an area of retail shops.
• Strong people management skills, with demonstrated experience in HR and performance-related matters.
• Proven ability to achieve targets and objectives, with experience in financial management and budgetary control.
• Effective problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to handle complaints and concerns professionally.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Full driving licence and willingness to travel extensively.

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

• Experience of direct management and on-going development of staff in a multi-site situation
• UK charity sector retail management with a strong understanding of volunteer management.
• Familiarity with retail systems and technology.
• Commitment to upholding Blue Cross values and promoting a positive working culture.

View the job description in full Area Manager – Retail job description April 2024

Additional Information

How to apply:

For more information and to apply online, please visit here.