This is a fantastic opportunity to join the team at Leighton Moss, one of the RSPB’s flagship nature reserves, located in Arnside and Silverdale AONB in North Lancashire.  As part of the team, you will work for one of the world’s leading conservation charities, dedicated to saving nature.  You will be directly contributing to the charities objectives through income you help generate in the shop.

RSPB's Leighton Moss retail store near Carnforth needs a new Retail Manager. As one of the RSPB’s busiest retail stores we are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with great leadership skills and a strong retail and customer service background to manage the shop and retail team.

Your job will be to integrate and deliver all retail elements, delivering an excellent customer experience for visitors to the shop, with the aim of maximising the income and profit at the RSPB store.

As Retail Manager you will have the following key responsibilities:

• Lead by example when serving customers and dealing with enquiries, maintaining a friendly, professional manner and ensuring the retail store is delivering the highest standard of customer care.
• Ensure that all retail staff and volunteers are recruited trained and managed in accordance with RSPB guidelines and policy that results in efficient team working.
• Be responsible for the planning and efficient day to day running of the retail store including planning the team rota so that the shop is well-staffed 7 days a week
• Ensure the shop is commercially merchandised to an agreed layout to maximise sales
• Be accountable for the stock control and ensure appropriate stock levels are met, including managing stock deliveries and carrying out stock takes
• Monitor financial success against targets and KPIs
• Oversee shop security
• Assist with the delivery of the brand and converting visits into support, to contribute to the RSPB’s Saving Nature Strategy.
• Work with the wider team at Leighton Moss to maximise opportunities for increased sales as well as supporting the other departments in the team

You will receive full training and support on all aspects of RSPB Retail, which will enable you to drive sales, be a positive role model to the team, and an ambassador for the RSPB.

About Leighton Moss

• The shop is in the visitor centre which forms the access to the nature reserve where visitors can walk the nature trails and view stunning wildlife from the hides and sky tower.
• The Leighton Moss team has about 20 staff and around 100 volunteers. The shop team comprises of a retail manager, assistant manager and 3 retail assistants, plus a number of retail volunteers.
• The shop stocks a range of bird food and bird feeders, as well as optical equipment, books and gifts.
• Leighton Moss is served well by train service on the Lancaster to Barrow line, the train station is a few minutes walk from the visitor centre.
• The shop is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week, so regular weekend and bank holiday working will be required.

What we need from you:

Essentials:

• Sound understanding of systems and procedures necessary to run a commercial retail operation.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
• A natural leader who can influence, motivate and inspire people at all levels.
• Problem solving skills and ability to work on own initiative.
• Proven track record of managing a successful retail store.
• Experience of managing and delivering targets and KPI’s for a retail business.
• Successful experience of leading and managing a diverse team.
• Delivering an exemplar customer service experience.

Desirables:

• Working knowledge of visual merchandising principles
• Experience of working at a visitor attraction.
• Retail management certificate.
• Working knowledge of equal opportunities and diversity.
• Health and safety in the workplace

For more information about this role please contact Beki Williams by email at beki.williams@rspb.org.uk or leighton.moss@rspb.org.uk 

Please note that you will be required to only complete an online application form.

Before applying to this role we would encourage you to read through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.