Retail Assistant Manager – Bodmin

Are you passionate about retail, community engagement, and making a difference? Join Cancer Research UK’s trading team as a Retail Assistant Manager in Bodmin. In this part-time opportunity, you will work alongside a motivated Shop Manager and contribute to our mission of beating cancer, while supporting volunteers, delivering excellent service, and helping the shop reach its sales and fundraising goals.

We are seeking someone with energy, adaptability, and a customer-focused mindset who can help guide and inspire a diverse team. If you thrive in a lively retail environment and want to play a key role in both commercial success and charitable impact, this role is made for you.

Job Description

As the Retail Assistant Manager, you will support the Shop Manager in leading and energising a team of paid staff and volunteers who share a dedication to our cause. You will help maintain high standards in everything from stock management and merchandising to shop display, ensuring the store is inviting, safe, and aligns with the values of Cancer Research UK. A big part of the role involves guiding your team to deliver excellent customer service, supervising daily operations, managing donated stock, and ensuring sell-through targets, average selling price, and gift aid goals are met.

You will also lead by example – working on the shop floor, engaging with customers, sorting stock, and ensuring all Health & Safety, safeguarding, security and administrative policies are adhered to. On days when the Shop Manager is unavailable, you will deputise, ensuring the shop continues to run smoothly. In addition, you will help plan creative fundraising events, build relationships in the local community, and support marketing or awareness activities tied to the store. Physical tasks and manual handling are part of the routine—sorting, lifting, shelving—so being comfortable with practical work is essential. Your role will be central to increasing sales income, maximizing the value of donated items, and maintaining shop appearance and layout to attract customers and supporters alike.

Eligibility & How to Apply

To be considered, you need to be eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. You must also be at least 18 years old due to safeguarding, health, and safety regulations. No need to wait—if you have experience in retail, leading or supporting others, managing stock, or working in a dynamic shop environment, you are encouraged to apply. Key attributes include strong communication skills, adaptability in changing situations, commercial awareness, and the ability to build positive working relationships with staff, volunteers and customers.

Here’s how to apply:

1. Visit the Cancer Research UK careers portal and locate the “Retail Assistant Manager – Bodmin” vacancy.
2. Complete the online application form, ensuring you fill out the work history section thoroughly—CVs will be held until later stages to support anonymised shortlisting.
3. Ensure all eligibility criteria are met (ability to work in UK, over 18, etc.).
4. If selected, you will undergo a basic DBS check before any offer is confirmed.

We aim to uphold diversity and inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to participate fully in the application or interview, please let us know as early as possible. Expect to hear back by the closing date. Good luck!

FAQs

• What hours will I work each week? You will work 22.5 hours per week as part of a rota system designed to cover the shop’s needs while respecting personal commitments.
• Is previous experience required? Experience in retail or working with volunteers is beneficial, but what matters most is your customer service attitude, reliability and ability to adapt.
• Will I get training? Yes. You will receive support, training, and tools to perform your role effectively, including mentoring from the Shop Manager and access to development resources.
• What benefits are included? Benefits include a generous retirement plan, flexible leave, discounts (travel, technology, gym), wellbeing support, and more.