Shop Retail jobs in Bournemouth

Join Wessex Cancer Support and Help Make a Difference

Are you passionate about retail, people, and making a positive impact in your community?

Wessex Cancer Support is looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Retail Support Assistant to join our friendly retail team at our Westbourne shop. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll play an important part in supporting the day-to-day running of our shop, working alongside volunteers, engaging with customers, and helping to raise vital funds that enable us to support local people affected by cancer.

The role is 2 days per week, covering Sunday and Monday, with additional hours available to cover holidays/weekends and absences by mutual agreement.

About the Role

As a Retail Support Assistant, you'll work closely with the Shop Manager to create a welcoming and successful retail environment. You'll help maximise sales, support and motivate volunteers, maintain excellent shop standards, and act as an ambassador for Wessex Cancer Support within the local community.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, thrives in a busy retail environment, and wants to be part of a charity making a real difference.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Operations & Shop Support

• Support the Shop Manager in the day-to-day running of the shop.
• Deliver excellent customer service and create a welcoming shopping environment.
• Help achieve sales, Gift Aid, and performance targets.
• Assist with merchandising, stock rotation, and maintaining attractive displays.
• Support the movement and organisation of stock between shops.
• Take a leading role during busy periods or when the Shop Manager is absent.
• Contribute ideas to improve sales, customer experience, and shop performance.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, health and safety, and shop presentation.

Volunteer Support & Teamwork

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and you'll play a key role in helping them feel supported, valued, and motivated.

• Support, encourage, and supervise volunteers in their daily activities.
• Help create a positive, welcoming, and inclusive environment for volunteers of all backgrounds.
• Share knowledge, provide guidance, and help volunteers develop their confidence and skills.
• Build positive working relationships with volunteers, colleagues, customers, and supporters.
• Promote teamwork through open, respectful, and professional communication.

Online Retail & Digital Engagement

• Support the growth of our online sales channels.
• Assist with photographing, listing, and promoting items online.
• Contribute creative ideas for social media content, promotions, and campaigns.
• Help drive online sales and grow engagement with our digital audiences.

Community Engagement & Charity Ambassador

• Act as a proud ambassador for Wessex Cancer Support and our values.
• Promote awareness of our services and the difference we make to local people affected by cancer.
• Build positive relationships with customers, donors, volunteers, and local supporters.
• Encourage Gift Aid sign-ups and explain the impact they have on fundraising.
• Support community events, initiatives, and local engagement opportunities where appropriate.

About You

We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic, approachable, and passionate about delivering great customer service while supporting a worthwhile cause.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Previous retail experience.
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Experience .of supporting, motivating and developing volunteers or team members.
• A positive and encouraging leadership style with the ability to help others feel valued and confident in their roles.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills.
• Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexible, reliable, and adaptable in a fast-paced retail environment.

Personal Qualities

• Friendly, positive, and approachable.
• Passionate about charity retail and delivering an excellent customer experience.
• Confident building relationships with a wide variety of people.
• Proactive and solutions-focused, with a "can-do" attitude.
• Resilient and able to manage a varied workload.
• Creative, enthusiastic, and willing to contribute new ideas.
• A good sense of humour and a strong team spirit.

Desirable

• Knowledge of fashion brands, trends, and quality donated goods.
• Experience of online selling platforms and social media.
• Experience working within the charity sector.

Practical Requirements

• Access to reliable transport or good public transport links.
• Flexibility to provide holiday and sickness cover when required.
• Ability to undertake manual handling tasks associated with retail operations.

Why Join Wessex Cancer Support?

Every item sold, every donation received, and every volunteer supported helps us continue providing free emotional wellbeing and support services to people affected by cancer across our region.

If you're looking for a role where you can develop your retail skills, support a fantastic team of volunteers, and make a genuine difference in your community, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us make a difference, one customer, one volunteer, and one sale at a time.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £12.71 per hour

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Life insurance
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Westbourne BH4 9BA: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Application question(s):

• Are you able to work on Sundays and Mondays?

Experience:

• Supervisory: 1 year (preferred)
• Retail: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person