The Social Action Hub
Business Manager - Retail, Food, Warehousing & Distribution
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Job Description
Business Manager – Retail, Food, Warehousing & Distribution
£29,120 Pro Rata
32.5 hrs per week
Monday to Friday.
Includes occasional evening and weekend cover.
Job Purpose
To provide strategic and operational leadership for The Social Action Hub’s retail, food, warehousing, and distribution services, ensuring they are safe, efficient, financially sustainable, and deliver excellent outcomes for the communities we serve.
The postholder will lead the day-to-day management and future development of the Social Supermarket, Revive Zero Waste Store, Foodshare, School Uniform Project, and associated retail, warehousing, and community distribution services.
The Business Manager will develop high-performing teams, maximize community benefit, improve operational efficiency, and ensure services operate in line with organizational values, legal requirements, and funding expectations.
Main Responsibilities
Business Leadership
- Provide leadership across all retail, food, and distribution services.
- Develop annual service plans, objectives, and priorities aligned with the organization’s strategic plan.
- Monitor service performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Lead innovation and service development to maximize social impact and long-term sustainability.
- Ensure services remain responsive to local need.
Retail Operations
- Lead the effective operation of Revive Zero Waste Store.
- Ensure high standards of:
- Merchandising
- Presentation
- Customer experience
- Stock management
- Pricing
- Cleanliness
- Health and safety
- Monitor retail performance and identify opportunities to increase sales and customer engagement.
- Ensure donated goods are managed effectively and sustainably.
- Support the development of new retail initiatives where appropriate.
Food Operations
- Lead all food-related services including:
- Social Supermarket
- Foodshare
- Community Fridge
- Emergency food support (where applicable)
- Ensure:
- Food safety legislation is followed
- Stock is rotated correctly
- Waste is minimized
- Deliveries and collections are coordinated efficiently
- Warehouse systems remain organized
- Maintain effective relationships with food suppliers and redistribution partners.
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Warehouse & Distribution
- Manage warehouse operations ensuring:
- Efficient storage
- Stock accuracy
- Safe manual handling
- Vehicle loading (where applicable)
- Inventory management
- Distribution planning
- Develop systems that maximize efficiency and reduce waste.
- Ensure equipment and storage areas meet required standards.
School Uniform Project
- Lead the annual planning and delivery of the School Uniform Project.
- Ensure donations are:
- Received
- Sorted
- Quality checked
- Stored
- Displayed
- Distributed efficiently
- Develop partnerships that increase access to school uniform support.
- Monitor demand and stock levels throughout the year.
Chatty Café
- Support the effective delivery of the Chatty Café.
- Ensure the environment remains:
- Welcoming
- Inclusive
- Safe
- Well organized
- Work with volunteers to create a positive customer experience.
- Support activities that reduce loneliness and strengthen community connections.
People Management
- Lead and develop Programme Co-ordinators, staff, and volunteers within the business area.
- Recruit, induct, supervise, and develop staff.
- Ensure regular supervision and performance reviews take place.
- Promote a positive, supportive, and accountable team culture.
- Identify training and development needs.
Financial Management
- Manage agreed service budgets.
- Monitor income and expenditure.
- Work with Corporate Services to ensure:
- Accurate financial reporting
- Purchasing procedures
- Stock valuation (where applicable)
- Budget monitoring
- Identify opportunities to improve financial sustainability.
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Marketing & Promotion
- Work with the Corporate Services team to promote retail, food, and community initiatives.
- Support local campaigns that increase:
- Customer engagement
- Membership
- Donations
- Volunteer recruitment
- Ensure all promotional activity reflects organizational branding and funding requirements.
Partnerships
- Develop effective relationships with:
- FareShare
- Food suppliers
- Local businesses
- Supermarkets
- Schools
- Referral agencies
- Community organizations
- Represent The Social Action Hub professionally at meetings and partnership events.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with:
- Food Hygiene Regulations
- Health & Safety
- Safeguarding
- GDPR
- Environmental Health requirements
- Organizational policies
- Maintain accurate records.
- Support audits and inspections.
- Drive continuous improvement across all services.
Organisational Responsibilities
- Contribute as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
- Support delivery of the organizational strategy.
- Work collaboratively across all business areas.
- Promote the values and reputation of The Social Action Hub.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the role.
Person Specification (headline)
Essential
- Experience managing multi-site or multi-function operations.
- Strong people management and leadership skills.
- Experience managing budgets and operational performance.
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving ability.
- Ability to manage stock, logistics, and operational systems.
- Strong customer service ethos.
- Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively.
- Confident using Microsoft Office and digital management systems.
Desirable
- Retail management.
- Food retail or food distribution.
- Warehouse or logistics management.
- Charity or community sector experience.
- Food hygiene qualification.
- Health & Safety qualification.
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