We are seeking a Deputy Shop Manager to support the Store Manager in creating a successful shop and café to raise funds for our animals. The role will be to work primarily on a Saturday with the potential to include Sundays when required. The post holder will also need to available to work overtime to cover holidays and absences.
In addition to traditional charity retail, the store features a small, simple café serving hot drinks and pre-prepared food. As one of the Deputy Shop Managers, you will work alongside the Shop Manager and volunteers to provide excellent customer service and help raise as much money for our Branch as possible through the sales and Gift Aid.
No two days are the same in charity retail! In addition to sorting and pricing stock and creating interesting merchandise displays, you will greet customers, process sales, serve hot drinks, and support our team of volunteers to ensure everyone has a great experience.
You will have opportunities to develop if you wish, learning more about merchandising, charity retail, EPOS systems, health and safety, and people management. We welcome your skills too, so if you have an aptitude for creative window dressing, a passion for vintage clothing, or some savvy skills gained from high-street retail, we would love to hear from you.
Most of all, you need to be a people person, able to engage with our customers and donors, willing to work closely with your manager, and committed to developing great relationships with our volunteers.
RSPCA Suffolk Central is an independent, local charity. Our charity shops play a vital part in income generation and raising awareness of who we are and how we help animals and their owners in our county. Now covering nearly all of Suffolk, 2,000 animals every year enjoy a safer, healthier, and happier life thanks to RSPCA Suffolk Central. By joining our team, you could help us reach even more in 2026 and beyond.
Job Description
Job Purpose
To be responsible, along with the Shop Manager, for all aspects of the charity shop and cafe, including volunteers (recruitment and management of), customer service, stock management, food hygiene, financial records, administration, compliance with current legislation, Branch and National Society policy and promoting the work of the RSPCA.
Overall Responsibilities
The Deputy Shop Manager will have responsibility for the day-to-day running of the shop and café in the absence of the Shop Manager and will need to ensure that the shop is kept clean, safe, and tidy at all times. This includes ensuring that all the relevant legislation is understood and shared with staff and volunteers and supported by any additional training that may be required.
The Deputy Shop Manager needs to work with the Shop Manager to operate effective stock management processes, including clear sorting and pricing procedures, clear stock rotation for all items, including café goods, creative ways to encourage new sales, effective use of recycling opportunities, and liaising with our other shops to ensure that ideas are shared and stock is rotated between our 5 shops where possible and practical.
Staffing
To be responsible, along with the Shop Manager, for volunteer performance, engagement, and wellbeing, which will include preparing rotas and shop cover, providing the appropriate training and coaching of volunteers.
Finance and Management
Working with the Shop Manager:
● maximise Gift Aid income and manage associated documents and procedures
● identify and implement additional opportunities for income generation and cost reductions in relation to shop activities
● maintain control of the petty cash and ensure all expenditure is properly recorded
● ensure secure cover of the till in the shop
● reconcile the takings daily undertaking a full investigation of any cash shortages
● bank all monies on a weekly basis wherever possible
● ensure strict security measures are implemented for unbanked cash
Customer Service
Ensure good customer service is provided including providing advice to customers, dealing with customer complaints and taking payment for goods.
Café
Working with the shop manager to:
· Run a modest café offering serving hot drinks and pre-prepared food, being prepared to participate in hands-on use of the coffee machine
· Ensure timely stock rotation in line with food hygiene and manufacturing standards
· Order stocks and supplies to ensure a good selection is available to customers whilst minimising waste in order to maximise profits
· Support and lead volunteers to ensure a high standard of customer service and food quality
Communication
To work closely with the Shop Manager to ensure that animal welfare and the Branch objectives are shared with customers and volunteers and that all staff and volunteers are kept up to date with RSPCA news.
In the absence of the Shop Manager, you may be required to prepare a monthly shop summary report for the Trustee meetings which needs to be sent to the Branch Manager by the 1st Friday of each month.
Administration / Compliance
Complete all shop administration as required by the Shop Manager, Branch Manager, charity law and trading legislation.
To comply with all current legislation and Branch policy including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Trading Standards, Inland Revenue, VAT and Retail Law.
Health and Safety
Working alongside the Shop manager:
● ensure volunteers receive sufficient health and safety training, including fire evacuation and knowing where to obtain the procedures if necessary
● ensure 6 monthly fire drills are completed
● ensure that all health and safety regulations are in place for staff and customers and that procedures and guidelines are held centrally and are available for reference purposes
● ensure risk assessments are conducted and requirements communicated to all staff/volunteers
● ensure adequately trained first aider(s) are in place
Other Duties
● to help the manager complete all housekeeping tasks such as disinfecting, hoovering, mopping and sweeping of the retail space, sorting area, kitchen and bathroom as needed
● to attend as requested, management meetings and development training courses
● to undertake any other duties which may arise and fall logically within the remit of the Deputy Shop Manager
This job description is a statement of the job content required as of May 2026. It should not be seen as precluding future changes.
A Person Specification for the post is available on request.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (required)
Work Location: In person
