DRAFT! Job description and Person Specification

Please note this statement is for information only and does not form part of a contract. This list is not exhaustive and you will be expected to undertake such duties as may be assigned to you by Arthritis Research UK from time to time. Staff are expected to be flexible in their work in order to deliver the objectives of the organisation.

Job title / RETAIL OPERATIONS MANAGER / Location / CHESTERFIELD
Contract type / Fulltime / Contract length / Permanent
Date / Prepared: 13.6.2013.
Context
The vision of Arthritis Research UK is a future free from the pain and suffering of arthritis. Directly or indirectly, our work with the charity will help to reduce the daily pain and disability experienced by millions of adults and children who live with a form of arthritis.
Retail & Trading:
Arthritis Research UK currently has a chain of 30 charity shops and a small trading arm. Following an internal retail review, the new post of Head of Retail & Trading undertook further analysis of the business, and developed a new Retail Strategy, which was agreed by the Board of Trustees on 6 March 2013.
The Strategy is based on the introduction of a chain of 50+ successful new concept stores that will bring in a sustainable annual net contribution of over £1m to fund charitable activities within 5 years, and the continuing rationalisation of the existing portfolio.
The new concept stores will be designed to offer added value in terms of promoting the charity’s research and health promotion activities, data capture and eCommerce, and raising the profile of the organisation. Their introduction represents a fundamental change to the way we do business now, and will differentiate Arthritis Research UK stores from other charity shops on the high street.
Main purpose of the role
To support the delivery of the new Retail Strategy, by providing the operational support to bring these ambitious plans to fruition.
To co-ordinate the process for retail openings and closures, in line with agreed guidelines, which include the provision of appropriate business case
To develop the right tools, business processes and templates to facilitate growing the business, in line with the Strategy, and the review and monitoring of these.
To service and support the Retail Strategy Oversight Group.
To service, support and co-ordinate the Retail Strategy Steering Group.
To co-ordinate and be accountable for the Retail Strategy Working Group.
Working with the Head of Retail & Trading to support the Regional Retail Managers to ensure that administration processes are appropriate to the needs of the business, and streamlined to provide efficient and effective measurement and reporting.
To work collaboratively with the Regional Retail Managers to enable the delivery of the Strategy.
To establish and manage effective cross functional working within a complex and diverse organisation.
Retail Mantra:
Are you selling something in an Arthritis Research UK shop, &/or informing someone about Arthritis?
-  If not, are you supporting someone who is?
Management and key relationships
Staff managed / Retail Support post
Reports to / Head of Retail & Trading
Key Relationships
Regional Retail Managers, FCS business partners, business partners, HROD, Communications, Health & Fundraising
Main Responsibilities and Duties
Responsibility/Duty
1 / Ensure that the business process in Retail is fit for purpose: develop, maintain and refine the collection, measurement and analysis of financial data and key performance indicators, producing management information appropriate to the audience, to enable the effective monitoring of sales and profitability. To work with the Regional Retail Management team to ensure that support is focussed and implemented to drive sales, maximise net income and maintain operating standards.
2 / Provide the HORT with business oversight, management information and reporting.
3 / Co-ordinate Business Cases process for retail openings and closures, ensuring timely completion and challenge, and monitoring and supporting the effective completion of openings and closures, with regular critical review, to ensure optimal performance.
4 / Develop positive and effective cross-functional working relationships as required by the demands of the business.
5 / To co-ordinate H&S policies and procedures, ensuring that they are in place, and that internal H&S reports and audits are completed as required.
6 / Working closely with Corporate Services, to co-ordinate property issues, lease events, dilapidations, and repairs & maintenance in order to effectively inform the business, and inform key decisions.
7 / To co-ordinate Volunteer data-capture and security and use of the database

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/ To lead projects (identified with the HORT) and undertake activities which support and develop the retail function.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience: key requirements
Requirement / Evaluation[1]
1 / High level of ICT literacy, and highly numerate
2 / Business development experience, preferably in charity retail
3 / Programme management experience, in a multi-site environment, able to plan, phase, sequence and complete complex tasks and projects, across functions.
4 / High level of literacy and an excellent communicator.
Competencies
Requirement / Evaluation
1 / Strong analytical skills, and the ability to gather complex information and use it to inform decision making
2 / Able to develop excellent working relationships across a complex and multi-layered organisation.
3 / A tenacious problem solver, able to identify issues and barriers and provide creative and workable business solutions.
4 / A strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture, and able to work to the required level of detail to enable the business and drive success.
5 / A supportive team player with strong leadership qualities, able to convince and influence decision making.
6 / Able to support, motivate and direct others towards achieving the Retail Strategy
Able to research, analyse, manage and manipulate information from a variety of sources, evaluate criteria and recognise constraints, and devise and evaluate options and develop effective solutions.
Can break down projects into manageable, achievable and measurable goals, tasks and activities, allocate these equitably and realistically, and establish appropriate methods of management and control and clear lines of authority and accountability.
Able to initiate, launch and establish projects, managing them from initial set-up and briefing to successful completion.
Knowledge, skills and experience: desirable
Requirement
1 / Recognises the implications and limitations of working within a charitable organisation
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[1] This is relevant for recruitment purposes and sets out how a candidate will be assessed against requirements. Options are application form (App), interview (Int) or test (Test)