Community Shop Manager

Offering a wide range of food and household staples as well as sourcing from local suppliers & producers where possible, there is plenty of scope to take the shop forward in your own way, working alongside a number of volunteers and with the support of a Management Committee. It truly is a social enterprise where your commitment & aspirations for the role in the community you will play needs to match the commercial performance of the shop. As well as working in the shop you will take responsibility for the day to day running of the business, stock control, and financial management.

You may be a manager or assistant manager of a food or convenience store who wants the freedom & opportunity that bigger chains & groups don’t allow or a keen retailer looking for a new challenge.

If this sounds like a challenge that you can deliver and you have relevant experience, then Woodgate Shop would like to hear from you.

We would also welcome applicants who would like to job share this role on a part time basis.

• £25.000 - £27.000 per year

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week, includes some evenings/weekends) 
• Part time and job share available upon request
• Flexitime

The purpose of this job is to work with us to complete the setup of our new community shop and to manage day-to-day business. Your primary role will be to ensure the smooth daily running of the shop and help to drive the growth of this community-owned business. You will work with the

management committee to train and inspire a team of volunteers to provide a high-quality customer experience. You will have an important role helping to achieve our sales targets and ensuring our shop is successful.

Ideally, you will have experience of working in a similar environment and an interest in promoting community projects. You will have excellent communication and customer service skills and be enthusiastic about sourcing produce and presenting it to our customers.

You will manage volunteers working shifts in the shop. Your focus will be the shop finances, stock

control and volunteer involvement. You will report directly to, and be supported by, the Management Committee via a named line manager. You will be committed to promoting the shop and bringing new and exciting ideas to this developing community business. This will be a

demanding but enjoyable role that requires the ability to manage a range of responsibilities.

Work with the committee to:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the shop
• Exceed sales targets
• Actively seek out business development opportunities
• Do the day-to-day marketing, product promotion and social media
• Roll out seasonal and/or other marketing campaigns to promote producers, produce and events
• Maintain administrative and financial administration systems and procedures including invoice management
• Report on sales and stock control to maximise sales
• Have primary responsibility for timely ordering of stock
• Establish and maintain accurate records for ordering, stock control and pricing
• Ensure full regulatory compliance; keep abreast of regulatory changes particularly health and safety; be the Responsible Person for Fire Safety Regulations
• Ensure the shop is welcoming and friendly to customers, staff and volunteers
• Provide excellent customer service
• Lead the shop delivering performance improvements and achieving growth and business targets
• Ensure a happy and well-motivated team within the store, this includes both paid shop staff and volunteers
• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with the Management Committee, keeping them abreast of operational and financial issues
• Inspire, motivate and coach staff
• Responsible for staff and volunteer rotas, and ensuring that the shop has sufficient cover in line with opening hours and supervise volunteers
• Responsible for all aspects of health, safety and security
• Responsible for stock ordering, stock levels and stock control
• Build good working relationships with suppliers, ensuring the shop achieves best quality and best value purchases from all suppliers
• Negotiate best deals and best possible payment terms with suppliers, working closely with the Treasurer
• Deal effectively with customer queries and complaints
• Play a hands-on role behind the counter serving customers
• Ensure all returns are handled efficiently, and that refunds are received
• Build a good working relationship with the other organisations in the building
• Ensure clear and effective communication, with staff, volunteers and with the committee
• Keep the committee aware of any potential issues which may need addressing
• To develop and (with the Committees approval) implement ideas to improve footfall and sales and to bring more people into the shop
• Ensure stock losses and waste are kept to a minimum, identify any slow-moving stock and take action as required
• Ensure excellence in customer service, operations and in financial control at all times waste
• Ensure a high standard of cleanliness and presentation and maintain excellent Food Safety standards
• Must be prepared to work hours as required

Please apply below or send an e-mail to woodgate.committee@gmail.com with a covering letter and CV.