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Retail Area Manager

Location: Based in Newhaven with regular travel across East Sussex


Hours: 35 hours per week (Includes weekend and holiday period working as required)


Salary: up to £45,000 per annum, plus benefits

Are you an accomplished retail leader with the commercial drive and professional authority needed to embed consistent operational standards across a high-turnover charity shop portfolio?

Age UK East Sussex is recruiting a senior Retail Area Manager to lead, develop, and grow our high street shop network and our Bought In Goods initiatives. We are looking for an exceptional multi-site professional who understands that a £1m+ retail business requires both sharp commercial tactics and uncompromised internal governance.

You will hold direct management responsibility for our retail branches, overseeing Shop Managers and their colleagues, alongside a dedicated workforce of approximately 160 community volunteers. Your role will be to ensure standards and procedures run smoothly across all locations, customer service is paramount, donations are championed and Gift Aid is maximised, You will provide the clear direction and coaching needed to keep our extensive shop teams motivated, aligned, and focused on the performance they have been delivering.

The Ideal Candidate:

  • An Experienced Multi-Site Leader: A strong track record in area retail management, successfully controlling multi-site costs, hitting sales targets, and managing budgets within a £1m+ enterprise
  • A Framework & Compliance Champion: Experienced in enforcing strict organizational policies—particularly around cash handling, audit controls, inventory tracking, and staff/volunteer purchase frameworks.
  • An Excellent People Manager: A composed, fair communicator capable of setting clear performance benchmarks for store management teams, and cultivating a supportive, respectful workspace whilst efficiently dealing with any matters of non-compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Take full financial accountability for sales targets, stock margins, and cost controls across all charity retail branches and product lines.
  • Enforce robust internal compliance and governance frameworks.
  • Lead, mentor, and performance-manage your shop leadership teams through structured appraisals, regular store visits, audits and clear goal setting.
  • Grow team alignment and morale, ensuring our large staff and volunteer workforce operate under supportive boundaries.
  • Provide mutual management cover for the Retail Operations Manager to protect the continuity of our wider commercial business.

Bring your professional standards and area management experience to a role that directly funds vital care for older people across East Sussex. 

All job applicants will be required to provide at least 2 referees (one must be your most recent employer) and be prepared to undertake a basic DBS Disclosure. This process forms part of our recruitment policy. Please note that we will only accept applications on our company application form.

For further information and to submit your application please email us on recruitment@ageukeastsussex.org.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 18th October 2026

Registered Charity Number 1139470

Application pack