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Job Title: Charity Shop Assistant

About us

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (HWT) is a wildlife conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in Herefordshire. We are dedicated to protecting the unique habitats and special wildlife in Herefordshire and encouraging people to enjoy, care for and act for nature. We own and manage 60 Nature Reserves across the county and have over 7,000 members. Our 2023-26 Business Strategy aims to place nature’s recovery at the forefront of tackling the climate emergency - for wildlife itself, for the natural services it provides and for everyone’s wellbeing. Together we can make sure that future generations living in Herefordshire will be able to enjoy the sense of wonder and well-being that nature offers.

HWT is committed to creating an organisation that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and to reach their full potential

Our Charity Shops are a keyway for us to raise funds to achieve our aims; fundraising is the primary purpose of the shop. In addition, the shop provides a public face for the Trust and a place where we can engage with our supporters; inform them about our work and inspire them to take action for wildlife

Please Note: we do not accept CV's. To be considered, please apply via the link provided: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/jobs/charity-shop-assistant-5

Main Job Purpose:

  • Maximize the income of the shop through sales of donated and new items.
  • Provide attractive stocking and merchandising of the shop
  • Promote the work of the Trust to volunteers, donors and customers alike.
  • Supporting and managing a team of volunteers and provide excellent customer service

Term: Perm Part time: 2 days a week /12 hours

Reports to: Retail Manager

Location: Hereford Charity Shop and possibly occasional work at other shop locations

Management Responsibility: Volunteer management

Liaison with: Retail Manager, Volunteers, and the public

Key Responsibilities:

1. Customer Service

  • Ensure excellent customer service, building loyalty from customers, donors, and volunteers
  • Assist customers in a friendly and professional manner and provide information about the charity’s work and items for sale.

2. Sales and Merchandising:

  • Ensure that stock is displayed to its full potential both on the shop floor and in the shop, windows upholding the Trust brand and shop standards
  • Responsible for recording sales and other key performance information daily/ weekly
  • Responsible for the daily recording, safeguarding, and banking of cash receipts
  • Support the Retail Manager with processing and posting online shop sales

3. Stock Management

  • Responsible for the selection, rotation, pricing and merchandising of all donated goods and the stock control of new goods to maximise income from sales.
  • Processing items donated for recycling appropriately to maximise income.

4. Volunteer support

  • Assist the Retail Manager with the recruitment, training, direction, supervision, motivation, and support of volunteers and ensuring the store is appropriately staffed during core trading hours.

5. Shop Maintenance

  • Responsible for Health and Safety, building security and cleanliness, including ensuring the regular disposal of waste and the reporting of any building and equipment faults.

6. Promotion

  • Actively encourage the public to donate saleable goods and where applicable sign up as Gift Aid donors, building loyalty and encouraging repeat donations and adhering to data protection.
  • Actively promote membership of HWT to donors, customers and volunteers and meet membership recruitment targets agreed with the Retail Manager.
  • Ensure sustainable and eco-friendly practices are followed wherever possible.

Other duties

  • Undertake Health and Safety duties commensurate with the post and as detailed in the Trust's Health and Safety policy;
  • Comply with all other organisational policies and relevant legislation e.g. Equal Opportunities – it being the responsibility of the post holder to make themselves aware of such items
  • Take advantage of formal and informal opportunities for personal and professional development, participate in appropriate training activities in consultation with your line manager
  • Cascade relevant skills and knowledge to volunteers
  • Act as an ambassador for Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, constructing and maintaining positive relationships with volunteers, visitors, and other organisations
  • Actively encourage those you with whom you come into professional contact to become members of HWT (all staff are regarded as membership recruiters)
  • Undertake any other work that might be deemed necessary by HWT commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post. Work with the broader HWT team on any other activities that match your skills and abilities as agreed with your line-manager

Person specification

Qualifications and Experience

Previous retail or customer service experiences is desirable but not essential

Skills Essential

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to create effective and attractive layouts and merchandising
  • Ability to work well in a team and take direction
  • Basic numeracy skills for cash handling and good IT literacy (Use of MS word and excel, email and POS systems, internet searches)
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks

Other Essential

  • A full valid driving licence
  • A willingness to work at weekend
  • Successful DBS check

Skills Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of using social media in a professional role
  • Knowledge of second-hand goods e.g. vintage fashion; collectable books and homewares, sustainable and eco-friendly products

Personal Attributes

A friendly and approachable manner with positive attitude and passion for supporting the charity’s mission.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £11.45 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 12 per week

Benefits:

  • Company pension
  • Employee discount
  • Sick pay

Schedule:

  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • Weekend availability

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 03/10/2024