Retail Operations Lead – Furniture, Donations and Logistics

Reporting to the Head of Retail, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership, performance, and smooth running of this multi-function operation—ensuring it operates safely, efficiently, and profitably while maximising income to support hospice care across North Hampshire.

The role

You will have responsibility for:

• A large-format Furniture Store retail operation

• The Donation Centre team and processes

• Coordination of furniture collections and deliveries

• Management of a vehicle fleet supporting the operation

• A team of staff and volunteers

•  You will play a key role in ensuring stock flows efficiently from donation through to sale, maintaining high operational standards and delivering a positive customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of staff and volunteers, creating a positive and inclusive working environment

• Take a hands-on approach to the day-to-day running of the operation, leading from the front

• Manage stock intake, pricing, merchandising, and stock rotation to maximise sales

• Coordinate furniture collections and deliveries, ensuring effective planning and use of vehicles

• Deliver excellent standards of customer service across all areas of the operation

• Contribute to achieving sales targets and overall retail performance

• Maintain high standards of health and safety, compliance, and housekeeping

• Build strong relationships within the local community to encourage donations and repeat custom

We are looking for a commercially aware and people-focused retail manager, who thrives in a busy, operational environment.

You will bring:

• Experience in retail management, ideally in charity retail, furniture retail, warehouse-style retail, or large-format stores

• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing both staff and volunteers

• A hands-on, practical approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Good organisational and coordination skills, particularly in relation to stock flow and logistics

• A focus on delivering results while maintaining excellent customer service

• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a wider retail leadership team

Most importantly, you will understand the importance of balancing commercial performance with compassion, recognising that every sale and donation helps fund vital hospice care.

St. Michael’s Hospice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to undergo relevant background checks, including a DBS check and provide satisfactory reference before starting the role.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

About St. Michael’s Hospice

St. Michael’s Hospice is a registered charity providing specialist palliative and end of life care services since 1992, for the people of North Hampshire. We are dedicated to providing care to people throughout North Hampshire who are affected by life limiting illness to attain the highest possible quality of life by providing a choice of specialist care and support.

As a charity, we depend on the kindness and support of our local community to continue offering our services free of charge. This care is made possible by supporters donating, taking part in fundraising events and activities, playing our lottery, shopping in our retail outlets, leaving gifts in their Wills or giving freely of their time to volunteer.

Our benefits

We offer a competitive salary with attractive benefits, including, free parking, life assurance, 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, Bluelight Card Membership, and an extensive health and wellbeing plan and company pension.

Contact

For further information and to arrange informal visits, please contact Colin Tanner on 01256 844744 or email: colin.tanner@stmichaelshospice.org.uk

In the event of a large number of applicants, St. Michael’s Hospice reserves the right to close a job vacancy advertisement earlier than indicated.

We do appreciate every application that we receive for our job vacancies, however, due to our limited resources, we regret that we are not always able to advise every candidate if they have not been shortlisted. Therefore, if you have not heard from us within three weeks of the advert’s closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

Join Our Team

Apply today and be part of a dedicated team providing vital hospice care to the community. St. Michael’s Hospice is committed to equal opportunities and inclusion in the workplace, welcoming applications from all backgrounds.

For further information please review the Job Description.

Due to covering multi sites a driver’s licence is essential to the role.

Apply now and make a difference!