An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate Furniture Store Operations Manager to join the St Vincent de Paul Society (or as it is often known - the SVP) based in Southend on Sea. The ideal candidate will combine a flair for retail with strong interpersonal skills and a proactive, can-do attitude to successfully guide the Furniture Project into being the best resource for the local community that it can be. The role requires accomplished communication, management and organisational skills, along with an eye for merchandising and budget management.

This is a really exciting opportunity to help this new project flourish with the help of your creativity and skills. You will have the freedom to really make it your own and will be in a role where your creativity and local knowledge is valued, and where you will be fully supported to succeed along with your shop. You will get to meet new people every day and get to know the members of the local community.

Working Hours = 37.5 hours per week

Location = Hopeworx Southend

Contract = Permanent

Salary = £32,877 per anum

Requirements = This role is subject to 2 satisfactory references and satisfactory DBS check.

Benefits Package = 33 days holiday (pro rata) per year inclusive of bank holidays increasing to 38 days (pro rata) with service, employee assistant programme, retail discounts, an extra day off on your birthday, buy / sell holiday scheme, cycle to work scheme, free will writing, 1x annual salary death in service benefit and lots more.

Your main responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a sustainable strategy in line with the SVP vision.
• Oversee the depot and logistics operation ensuring maximum efficiency.
• Recruit and manage all paid staff and volunteers at the Project, including all the HR responsibilities.
• Attend the local oversight group (LOG).
• Manage the building including all safety and compliance checks and the terms of the lease.
• Produce and securely maintain the documentation necessary for the effective and efficient running of the project and ensure that full and up to date records are kept.
• Ensure SVP working procedures are established and maintained.
• Ensure all necessary monitoring and evaluation procedures and ensure that all relevant statistics are available, in compliance with the project specification.
• Lead and work with local SVP members and volunteers to ensure service delivery meets required quality standards.
• Attend national staff team meetings as and when required.
• Review & manage the financial accounts monthly, yearly budgets and financial targets.
• Ensure fundraising targets and supporting the national fundraising strategy so that the Project remains self-sustaining.
• Develop new income streams, costs savings and creative ideas for the sustainability of the Project
• Maintain and develop relationships with referral agencies supported by the Furniture Project service.
• Develop local relationships with key stakeholders & develop relevant local partnerships.
• Promote the Project locally and nationally as required and engage in third sector meetings and other market events.
• Communicate using a range of comms tools and social media in line with the National communications and brand strategy.
• Undertake any other duties that could be reasonably expected - bearing in mind the developing nature of the project.

To be successful in this role, you 'll need:

• Experience managing a project.
• First-hand experience of organising, delivering and evaluating services.
• Line management experience & Project management skills.
• Good understanding of safeguarding and health & safety procedures.
• A clear understanding of local community needs and demographics.
• Good IT knowledge including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - written, telephone and face to face
• Great time management and organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure and prioritise work to meet tight deadlines.
• Exceptional people skills with patience and empathy for vulnerable people.
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity.
• Empathy and understanding of SVP ethos and values - and commitment to them.

How to apply:

If you have the relevant skills and experience to fulfil this role successfully, please apply on our website. If you require any adjustments throughout your journey with us, please let us know.

Closing date = 04/03/2025

Interviews = 11/03/2025

If you have any further questions, please contact the HR Team on 01274 513045 (option 3).

Unfortunately, if you have not received a response within four weeks of your application, you have not been successful on this occasion. We encourage early applications as we may close the listing early, when sufficient applicants have been received.

About the SVP:

The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) was established in England and Wales in 1844 and is part of a large and thriving Christian voluntary movement dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by providing practical assistance to people in need in 153 countries. Our core value is one of service and we treat each person as a unique individual deserving of dignity and respect. Person-to-person contact is therefore at the heart of our work and spending time with people is our greatest gift. We offer non-judgemental support to anyone in need, regardless of faith, race, gender, sexual orientation, background, or circumstances.

Whilst we ask that staff have sympathy with Christian values, religion is not considered in recruitment as we value people of all faiths or none.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £32,877.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Weekend availability

Work Location: In person