Furniture store manager jobs

Hours: Up to 37.5 hours per week, including regular Saturdays, scheduled Sundays and bank holiday cover

Reports to: Commercial Retail Manager

Salary: c£32,000 dependent on experience

Closing Date: 31 August 2026. We encourage early applications, as we may close this vacancy before the closing date once an appointment has been made.

We are looking for a commercial and creative Senior Retail Manager to take full management of our Aylesford flagship shop in Hall Road, our largest shop and a much-loved local destination for pre-loved fashion, furniture, homeware, books, electricals and those one-off treasures customers love to discover. 

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who enjoys the pace and variety of large format retail, loves bringing people together and wants their commercial skills to make a real difference to local hospice care.

About the Role

To lead and deliver the overall performance of a flagship Heart of Kent Hospice retail site; a large format store that is materially bigger and more complex than a standard hospice shop and which represents a meaningful share of total retail income. 

The Senior Retail Manager is accountable for the sales, profitability, people, stock, premises and day-to-day operation of the site. The postholder leads a multi-layered team of paid colleagues and a large volunteer workforce and is personally accountable for delivering demanding income targets while maintaining excellent customer service, compliance and presentation standards. 

Reporting to the Commercial Retail Manager the postholder plays an important role in promoting the Heart of Kent Hospice brand within the local community and in delivering the hospice's retail strategy on the ground at site level. 

About You

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Significant retail management experience with responsibility for achieving challenging sales and income targets.
• Experience managing a large-format, multi-department or similarly complex retail operation.
• Strong visual merchandising and store presentation skills that have driven sales and customer engagement.
• Ability to create events, promotions and seasonal displays that increase footfall and revenue.
• Excellent customer service skills, including handling complaints and leading by example.
• Strong commercial awareness and sound business decision-making.
• Ability to identify high-value, branded, designer, vintage or specialist donated items and maximise sales opportunities.
• Experience managing teams of paid staff and volunteers, including direct line management responsibility.
• Proven performance management skills, including addressing conduct, capability and underperformance issues.
• Experience analysing sales and performance data using EPOS systems and reporting tools.
• Experience managing budgets, cash handling and financial controls.
• Good understanding of health and safety requirements within a retail environment.
• Excellent communication, organisation and leadership skills.

Desirable:

• Charity retail experience and knowledge of Gift Aid.
• Experience within furniture, homeware or large-format retail environments.
• Experience identifying products suitable for online sales channels such as eBay, Vinted or Depop.
• Experience recruiting and managing large volunteer teams.
• Knowledge of the local community and charity sector.

We're Looking for Someone Who:

• Is passionate about supporting the hospice's mission and values through retail success.
• Lives our values: I Own, I Care, I Learn, I Improve.
• Leads by example and enjoys being visible on the shop floor.
• Is creative, energetic and customer-focused.
• Balances commercial performance with excellent volunteer and customer experiences.
• Is organised, resilient and adaptable.
• Enjoys building community connections and representing the Hospice locally.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across retail, e-commerce and support functions.

To apply, please complete our online application form. For a full job description or an informal discussion about the role, contact [email protected] or call 01622 792200 ext. 254.