JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Retail Coordinator
Salary: £26,228 per annum
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Duration: Permanent
Interviews: Expected to take place commencing 17th August
Overview
At Mustard Tree, we’re on a mission to combat poverty and prevent homelessness, driven by our core values: Belief, Dignity, Opportunity, Diversity, and Partnership.
The need for our services is greater than ever, with unprecedented demand across Greater Manchester. As our charity continues to grow, we’re striving to become a leading force for change, creating real opportunities for people to improve their economic wellbeing.
The Retail Co Ordinator will support the day-to-day operations of the retail shop while providing guidance, training, and encouragement to volunteers, trainees, and individuals participating in our Freedom Trainee employability or support programmes. The role combines retail responsibilities with mentoring, helping people develop confidence, workplace skills, and experience in a supportive environment.
To help us achieve this, we’re looking for a skilled, commercially aware and proactive Retail Coordinator who can work using their own initiative with a passion for merchandising, whilst supporting a diverse team. If you’re passionate about making a lasting impact and want to be part of something truly transformative, we’d love to hear from you.
Role Purpose
As one of our Retail Coordinators you will have strong leadership skills with a strong commercial awareness, you will have experience in the retail industry and will be competent in completing excellent merchandised displays. You will be ensuring an excellent shopping and donating experience for all our customers, donors and clients at all times.
You will work closely with KPI data via the charity suite system and understand the end of month reports completing any action plans required. You will support the training of the till system with the volunteers ensuring that gift aid, and our unique 40% gifting offer is maintained whilst increasing sales and self-generated income.
The role oversees the day-to-day performance of the retail shop and food club area, including supporting the opening and closing procedures, cash handling, ensuring high standards of customer service are always delivered, maintaining operational excellence, compliance, good stock management, and colleague engagement.
You will ensure a high level of merchandising displays are refreshed and maintained, and you will support with the stock sorting and replenishment on the shop floor. You will handle customer complaints and any safeguarding issues in line with our policies. You will support the Retail Operations Manager and team to continue to drive sales growth, improve operational efficiencies and ensure retail activities align with the charity’s values and strategic objectives.
You will work alongside Freedom Trainees to support their development, help them learn new skills, complete their training packs, and build confidence. You will also be responsible for maintaining their training records and attending graduation ceremonies.
This role would suit someone who has strong retail experience with a passion to develop further whilst supporting the delivery of the charity’s objectives in line with our values, please note this role will require Saturday Working and flexibility across other sites (in Salford) for holiday and sickness cover as and when required.
General Work duties:
Retail Operations
- Support the smooth day-to-day running of the retail shop.
- Assist with customer service, sales, and cash handling.
- Ensure donated goods are sorted, priced, and displayed attractively.
- Maintain high standards of housekeeping, merchandising, and shop presentation.
- Help achieve sales and profit targets set by the organisation.
- Follow all health and safety, safeguarding, and charity policies and procedures.
- Assist with stock management and rotation.
- Support the charity’s retail strategy and business plan.
Mentoring and Support
- Welcome, train, and support volunteers and trainees.
- Provide one-to-one guidance to help individuals develop retail and employability skills.
- Create a positive, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
- Build confidence and encourage personal development.
- Offer constructive feedback and recognise achievements.
- Support individuals in developing customer service, teamwork, communication, and workplace skills.
- Monitor progress and maintain appropriate mentoring training records where required.
Team Working
- Work closely with the Retail Operations Manager and wider retail team.
- Promote teamwork and a positive shop culture.
- Support volunteer recruitment, induction, and retention activities.
- Act as a positive role model for volunteers and trainees.
- Support where needed to cover all sites for holidays and sickness cover.
Personal Qualities
- Friendly, approachable, and patient.
- Empathetic and supportive.
- Reliable and professional.
- Positive attitude with a commitment to inclusion and equality.
- Passionate about the charity's mission and values.
Role Specific Person Specification
Essential
- Flexible, kind, positive and enthusiastic approach, demonstrates our values, showing personal accountability – ability to work independently and as part of a team with a positive can-do attitude.
- Experience in supporting, training, mentoring or supervising others.
- Good organisational and time management skills with the ability to influence others.
- Excellent ability to prioritise with good attention to detail to work out detailed solutions if required and manage own time effectively.
- Excellent IT and administration skills, particularly in Microsoft Office.
- Excellent communication including written and verbal skills.
- Strong merchandising skills, with the ability to complete appealing eye-catching displays with high attention to detail.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a fast-paced retail role.
- Strong customer service, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good organisation and time management skills with a proactive approach.
Desirable
- Ability to motivate and encourage people from diverse backgrounds.
- Experience of working in the charity or voluntary sector.
- Experience coaching, mentoring and/or supporting individuals facing barriers to employment.
What we offer in return
- Real Living Wage employer
- Learning and development
- Free lunch
- Wellbeing support package with Smart Clinic, including 24-hour helpline
- 25 days holiday (plus extra holiday on your birthday)
- Defined contribution pension scheme
Deadline for applications: 18th August 2026
We will be considering applications as they are submitted and may recruit ahead of the deadline if the right candidate is identified. Therefore, we encourage early submission of applications.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us within two weeks of submitting your application, unfortunately you have not been successful on this occasion.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £26,228.00 per year
Benefits:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Manchester M4 6AG: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
