Assistant Shop Manager

Your key purpose will be to support the Shop Manager in the day-to-day running of our Guildford shop, helping to maximise sales, deliver excellent customer service and generate vital income for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

This is a varied and hands‑on role where you will support the management of donations, merchandising, shop presentation and a team of volunteers, while ensuring an outstanding experience for our customers and supporters. In the absence of the Shop Manager, you will help ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the shop, maintaining high standards and driving sales performance.

This role requires experience of working in a retail environment, including supporting the day-to-day operation of a shop, delivering excellent customer service and handling cash and administrative processes.

You will be a confident and organised individual with strong communication skills, the ability to prioritise a varied workload and a proactive approach to problem‑solving. You will enjoy working with people and be able to motivate and support volunteers to create a positive and welcoming environment for customers and supporters.

You will have a keen eye for merchandising and shop presentation, be comfortable using IT systems and EPOS reporting, and be able to adapt to changing priorities in a fast‑paced retail setting. A flexible approach is essential, including a willingness to work weekends as part of a rota and provide support across other locations when required.

In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include:

• NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions

• 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
• 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service

• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
• Flexible working arrangements
• Reimbursed professional membership fees
• Eye care

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health
• Mindfulness sessions
• Mental Health First Aiders

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Also, we are committed to equal opportunities and consider all applicants to be in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and a DBS check.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values:
Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.

We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.

20/07/2026