Area Manager

To maximise area sales and profits through the effective management of people, resource and budgets. This role is instrumental in making our shops the hub of the local community, acting as the face of Octavia, raising public awareness of our work with residents and young people.

Key Responsibilities

Sales and Profit:

• Achieve agreed sales and profit targets, maximise profit through effective cost control
• Effectively analyse shop financial data to make informed commercial decisions
• Maintain a standard of excellence at all times with regard to customer service and supporter care across the area
• Ensure all directives are effectively embedded across the area
• Develop and embed an effective area plan to generate additional income using local corporate contacts and media
• Regularly review high street and charity retailers to ensure shops remain competitive within the local market
• Implement all business directives
• Generate additional income using local corporate and independent contacts, and social media

Stock Management (Donated and New Goods):

• Generate quality donated goods through area driven initiatives and ensure effective distribution across the area to maximise income
• Ensure Octavia stock selection guidelines on quality for all products are embedded in all shops across the area
• Achieve all the agreed area Key Performance indicators including processing, average selling price, Gift Aid and Volunteer recruitment targets
• Ensure all shops in the area comply with the agreed pricing guidelines based on the shops demographic profile
• Achieve area stock loss targets of new goods through effective stock management and full compliance with administration policies and procedures
• Ensure that efficient and organised stockroom systems are maintained within each shop to maximise processing levels and income

Shop Standards:

• Ensure a high standard of merchandising and visual display is delivered (including new goods and donated stock) both windows and in-store, for all shops ensuring their compliance with Octavia guidelines
• Ensure basic housekeeping standards and high levels of cleanliness are consistently maintained throughout the area

People Management - Paid staff:

• Recruit, develop and retain high calibre staff in all positions within the area
• Provide relevant training and coach staff to maximise their potential
• Carry out annual appraisals and monthly performance reviews for managers
• Identify and manage poor performance in accordance with Octavia's policies and procedures
• Maintain regular communication with staff to inform, motivate and drive performance
• Support the Shop Managers in ensuring that shops are kept adequately staffed at all times, to maintain levels of service

Volunteers:

• Ensure volunteer recruitment campaigns are fully implemented
• Provide support and guidance to paid staff on the management and volunteer retention
• Ensure that volunteers have sufficient training and knowledge to maximise their potential the
• Where appropriate, attend volunteer meetings, making sure volunteers are valued and rewarded for their contributions
• Ensure paid staff use appropriate communication tools to keep volunteers up to date with Octavia's performance and development

Administration and Health & Safety

• Action all personal requests for information, reports and area administration within the agreed timescales
• Ensure all shops comply with Octavia financial and administration procedures
• Achieve compliance on Health and Safety procedures and audits in all shops
• Ensure that all Octavia security procedures and policies are correctly followed and embedded in all shops

Working with others:

• Be willing to work additional hours and to perform any other additional duties as and when required by the business
• Willingness to work on initiatives with all support departments
• Promote positive internal and external relationships to maximise income and profit for Octavia
• Engage with our wider communities to ensure our shops are at the heart of the community
• Maintain a strong knowledge of Octavia's structures and current activities

For this position, we have listed the requirements we believe are essential for this role:

Experience:

• Proven successful track record in multi-site Area charity retail management
• Proven experience of achieving sales and profit target
• Experience of distance management of a diverse team of people
• Experience of performance management

Knowledge:

• Excellent understanding of high street retail and Fashion

Skills:

• Ability to motivate and manage a diverse team
• Self motivated with the ability to use own initiative
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to implement and embed strategies
• Commercial awareness and excellent business judgement
• Strong ability to adapt and implement change with a flexible and proactive attitude
• Excellent analytical and numeric skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Flexible attitude and adaptable to change
• Leadership and drive
• Advanced - Microsoft office (Outlook, Word, Excel) application

The salary for this role is £48,914.10 per annum with up to 10% pension contribution. You will also receive a Travel card ( Zone 1-3) of a value of £2,100 paid monthly pro rata.

We also offer a fantastic additional benefits:

• Flexible-working
• Life Assurance
• Employee Wellbeing App/ Mental Health Support
• Online GP Service
• Cycle to work
• Opportunities for self-development with over 60 courses available to self-enrol
• Opportunities to volunteer in our Charity Retail Stores or on our Befriending Programme

Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. Everyone is welcome.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.