Assistant shop manager jobs in milton keynes
Lead, Inspire & Make a Difference!
Are you passionate about retail and ready to take on a new challenge that makes a real difference in your community?
We’re thrilled to be opening a brand-new charity shop in Stacey Bushes, Milton Keynes – and we’re looking for an enthusiastic and driven Shop Manager to lead the way from day one! This is a unique opportunity to shape something from the ground up, bring your ideas to life, and build a vibrant team of staff and volunteers.
With your retail expertise and passion for purpose, you’ll be at the heart of launching a very large, successful shop that supports our mission, drives sales, and becomes a valued part of the local community. You’ll be used to working in a fast paced environment and dealing with the challenges this brings.
If you're ready to make your mark and lead an exciting new venture – we’d love to hear from you!
What you’ll do:
✅ Running a large, high density shop efficiently and profitably, maximising sales, Gift Aid, and round-up donations
✅ Managing visual merchandising, stock rotation, and product display to the highest standards
✅ Overseeing the effective sorting, pricing, and presentation of donated goods
✅ Leading and inspiring a team including an Assistant Manager (3 days/week), a Sales Assistant, and a team of volunteers
✅ Organising staff and volunteer rotas to ensure adequate cover, including on weekends
✅ Providing excellent customer service and handling queries or complaints professionally
✅ Monitoring financial performance, managing shop expenses, and ensuring compliance with audit and cash handling processes
✅ Ensuring full compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR, and equality policies
✅ Acting as an ambassador for the charity in the local community and supporting fundraising events
What you’ll need:
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Retail management experience (charity retail experience is a bonus, but not essential)
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Strong commercial acumen with proven track record of delivering financial targets
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Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and support staff and volunteers
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A customer-focused approach with a friendly and professional manner
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Experience handling cash, banking, and financial reporting
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Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
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Ability to work flexibly in a fast paced environment, including weekends, and to provide occasional cover in other shop locations
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A passion for the charity sector and supporting local communities
Who we are:
Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice is the leading provider of specialist palliative care in the Milton Keynes area. We offer round-the-clock, expert care to local patients with a life-limiting illness, both in their own homes and in our In-Patient Unit. Our passionate staff and volunteers make sure our care is personalised to each patient’s needs and supports their loved ones too. We have a thriving Therapeutic & Wellbeing service providing counselling, physiotherapy, activity groups and more, and a specialist Lymphoedema service. As a registered charity, we raise vital funds through our dedicated Business Development team and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.
Why join us?
�� The chance to make a real impact in your community
�� A supportive team and collaborative working environment
�� Great benefits package – including 35 days' holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays), contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity/sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
�� Blue Light Card discounts (with membership), and an Employee Assistance Programme.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today and help shape the future of retail at Willen Hospice!
This appointment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
For more information and to apply please visit our website
We may close this position early if sufficient applications are received.
Closing date: 5 November 2025
Interviewing: 14th & 15th November 2025
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We provide free, compassionate care to adults in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas living with a life-limiting illness.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About This Job
As Fundraising Assistant at sister charities, ACCT UK and CCFA, you will play a key role in the growth of existing fundraising and in the creation of new income streams. Stewarding fundraisers, helping to develop new and existing fundraising campaigns, building relationships internally within the cadet organisations and externally with Trusts and Foundations, corporates and major givers. You will provide administrative and operational support, including maintaining the fundraising database. Working closely with the rest of the Development team and in particular the Marketing department to ensure that both charities can provide increasing financial support to cadets and adult volunteers across the UK.
Essential Skills
- Highly organised
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong understanding of Word and Excel
Please refer to the attached Job Description for further information.
Our charity
ACCT UK is a national youth charity dedicated to improving the life chances of young people. The Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA) is a charity dedicated to the promotion of the ideals and activities of the Combined Cadet Force in schools. Together we want to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and be inspired through their cadet experience.
We want to develop the youth leadership and training abilities of adult volunteers whilst also helping young people to access cadet activities through fundraising, grant-making, developing new resources and direct support.
We strongly believe that everyone benefits when you help young people to develop their character and values through activities that stretch and mature them. We also know that when young people engage with others at a range of levels in their communities it builds confidence and improves empathy for other’s lives.
Who we are
You will join a small, friendly and supportive team who believe collaboration is the key to success. By joining our team you will help us to reach more young people and make a greater difference and we look forward to working with you. We actively promote and encourage you to explore ideas that improve all aspects of the charity’s work in pursuit of its charitable aims.
The charities are proud of our diverse teams, with people on different working patterns, from different backgrounds and at different life-stages. Our experience has taught us that having people with different perspectives and different lived experiences leads to better outcomes for our beneficiaries. If you are wondering if our organisation is for someone like you, the answer is yes! Please apply and explain how you, your experience, your talent and your potential are the right fit for this role.
What we can offer you
In addition to your salary, we offer all staff:
· Flexible working arrangements (you agree a working pattern with your line manager).
· The ability to work both from home and from our London office.
· Personal Accident Insurance, including loss of earnings cover and death benefit.
· 15 days of sick pay in any 12-month period (after 12 months employment - pro-rata for part time staff).
· A contributory pension scheme (you contribute at least 5% and we will contribute 10%).
· Good leave allowances (which are offered pro-rata for part time staff):
o 20 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
o Additional privilege leave, on set days each year, such as between Christmas and New Year.
o An additional five days of volunteering leave.
· Support for qualifications and personal development.
· Employee Assistance Programme.
· Season ticket loan.
· Railcard (if you are eligible)
· A caring and supportive team environment.
How to apply
Please send a covering letter that details how you meet the requirements of the job description along with a CV by 23:59 hrs on Sunday 9th November 2025.
Interviews will be held at Holderness House, 51-61 Clifton St, London EC2A 4DW during the week commencing Monday 24th November 2025.
Please note that as a charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people, we require staff to make a declaration about any relevant convictions, undergoing a Disclosure and Barring Service check. In addition, we will follow up references.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.