Vacancy pack
Dear Applicant
Retail Manager, Minsmere Salary £19,000 – £21,000 per annum
Thank you for your enquiry regarding our advertised vacancy. An application form is enclosed, together with
a job description and person specification.
If you require any further information about this post please contact Tim Rose, Minsmere Centre Manager.
Please can you complete the enclosed application form in blue or black ink. Please refer to the person
specification when completing the form. Your completed application form should clearly describe how you
meet each of the criteria that have been identified as being necessary for this post as this will form the basis
of shortlisting candidates. If you enclose a CV, it may be referred to for supplementary information, however,
please ensure that all the questions asked on the application form are fully answered.
We take all practicable steps to safeguard the safety and welfare of children or vulnerable adults while they
are in contact with the RSPB and have a Child Safety and Welfare Policy that supports this.
Completed forms should be returned to Tim Rose, RSPB Minsmere Visitor Centre, Westleton, Saxmundham,
Suffolk IP17 3BY.
Please check the postage required on your application as incorrect postage may lead to your application
being delayed and missing the closing date. If you require an acknowledgement of receipt of your
application, please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope.
Alternatively, you can email your application to tim.rose@rspb.org.uk
The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Friday 29 August 2014.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 9 September 2014.
If you are an external candidate, may we take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in employment
with the RSPB. As a charity, we try to keep our administrative costs to a minimum and therefore you will
only be contacted if we wish to progress your application. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of
the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you have not
been shortlisted.
We look forward to receiving your application in due course.
Yours faithfully,
Tim Rose
Centre Manager, Minsmere
This pack contains all the information you need to apply, including:
Useful Information
Details on our Diversity Policy statement, how we use CVs, shortlisting and employment checks and UK
Identification requirements
Applicant letter
Details on how to apply plus closing date and interview date(s)
Job description
A breakdown of the vacancy, including the purpose of the job, requirements, duties and responsibilities
Person specification
A list of criteria that potential candidates should aim to meet
Department information*
Details of the department advertising the post
Application Form
PDF version
Please print out, complete and return to the address on the Applicant letter
Word version
Applicants are encouraged to complete electronically and return by e-mail
* This information will only be provided if it is relevant to this post
Applications from candidates requiring a certificate of sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration
system will not be considered if there are suitable candidates who do not require sponsorship. This is
because employers need to demonstrate that they are unable to recruit a resident worker, before they can
recruit a non-resident worker*.
The resident worker rule does not prevent applicants requiring sponsorship from applying for our vacancies,
but such applications should be made on the understanding that they can only be considered subject to the
restrictions above.
For further information, please visit the Home Office UK Border Agency website.
*This rule does not apply to those applying for roles that require a bachelor, postgraduate degree or
postgraduate certificate in education qualification. It is necessary for the qualification to be an essential
requirement for the role and the applicant to prove that they possess such a qualification (or have completed
a minimum of 12 months study in the UK towards a UK PhD), which is recognised in the UK.
Useful Information
Diversity Policy Statement
The RSPB is part of a global network that incorporates a diversity of traditions and cultures, and which
represents different inheritances, backgrounds, influences, perspectives and experiences. A better
understanding of people’s differences will help us to appreciate and value everyone’s contribution, and
recognise that we are all an integral and invaluable part of the Society.
Everyone has the right to be treated with consideration and respect. The Society is committed to achieving a
truly inclusive environment for all, by developing better working relationships that release the full potential,
creativity and productivity of each individual, and an atmosphere where everyone can learn, work and live
free from prejudice, discrimination, harassment and violence.
The Society aims to ensure that all staff, volunteers, partners, clients, contractors, members and the general
public are treated fairly. Unless it can be shown to be justified, this will be regardless of sex, sexual
orientation, gender re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, race (including colour, nationality,
ethnicity, or national origin), disability, medical status, age, religion or belief, political opinion, social or
economic status, or ex-offender status.
Use of Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
Our policy is to recruit and employ our employees on the basis of their suitability for the work to be done. An
application form allows us to compare individuals based on like for like information and as such we do not
accept a CV unless accompanied by a fully completed application.
Shortlisting
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to ensuring all applications are treated
fairly. Applications are sought only from those eligible to work in the UK in the first instance.
All applications are subject to our shortlisting process where we only assess information provided against the
Person Specification. If you are shortlisted we will contact you and invite you to attend an interview. You will
also be advised at this point if there will be any skills test, presentations etc.
As a charity, we lack the resources to advise all candidates if their application is unsuccessful. If you do not
hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, we will have decided not to take your application any
further. However, if you are able to supply us with an e-mail address, we will endeavour to advise you if you
have not been shortlisted. If this is the case, please do not be discouraged from re-applying as your skills
and experience may be just what we need for our next vacancy. We also have a number of volunteering
opportunities across the organisation.
Employment Checks
All offers of employment are made subject to the following criteria:
Proof of eligibility to work in the UK, Proof of Residency, Satisfactory Employment Health Check,
Two references satisfactory to the Society and where required a Satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau
Check.
Job Description
Job Title
Retail Manager
Dept/Section/Region/Reserve
Reserves, Trading, Eastern England, Minsmere
Location
Minsmere Visitor Centre
Reports to
Visitor Centre Manager
Responsible for
Assistant Retail manager, Retail Assistants
Retail Volunteers
Overall Purpose
To maximise the income for the RSPB through innovative and forward-looking management of the RSPB
Shop. This will entail managing, directing, motivating and where necessary performance managing the retail
team to ensure that an effective and successful working environment is maintained and retail targets met.
Ensure the highest levels of customer service are delivered by all retail staff and volunteers. Lead and
supervise the retail team to ensure safety and security standards are met. It is essential to work closely and
co-operatively and maintain effective communications with other RSPB staff and volunteers on site as well
as the Retail Development Manager (RDM) and or Retail Area Manager (RAM).
Main Duties, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Trading Operation

Contribute to the annual budget setting process for the shop and create an Action Plan with the RAM
after the strategy meeting to ensure all agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are achieved.

Contribute to retail targets (re-forecasts) with Centre and Site Managers.

Attend monthly RAM site visits to ensure appropriate in-store standards are met and maintained,
financial targets are met, systems operate efficiently.

Actively manage all areas which contribute to the achievement of set KPIs e.g. the staffing ratio and
the visitor conversion rate to ensure central strategies for trading are achieved.

Manage and co-ordinate the RSPB’s Centralised Stock Management system (CSM) and maintain
appropriate detailed and accurate records. Use the RSPB’s Retail Management System (RMS) to
maintain accurate stock levels.

Assess the viability of local business proposals for retail with RAM and Centre/Site Manager.

In conjunction with the Retail Merchandiser and the RAM, maintain an effective, profitable
merchandise mix, reflecting visitor profile.

Feedback on quality issues, potential new products, procedural issues etc via the RAM.

Ensure all trading policies and procedures are adhered to by all members of the team.

Maintain the highest standards of retail housekeeping, and ensure effective merchandising of core
product categories and promotions to agreed guidelines with effective use of relevant Point Of Sale
(POS) materials.

Work with the Centre Manager and RAM to agree appropriate site interpretation within the shop
Customer Care

Achieve highest levels of customer care by leading by example for all reserve visitors, and boost
opportunities for membership recruitment and RSPB communications in line with RSPB policy and
brand objectives.

To achieve the pass rate for all Mystery Shopper surveys conducted at your retail store.
Staff and Volunteer Management

Recruit, train and retain best quality retail assistants and volunteers, through effective training, staff
1:1s, annual appraisals, personal development plans and regular team meetings.

Develop retail skills, knowledge and abilities of individuals and the shop team as a whole to
maximise sales and deliver first class customer service.

Appropriately manage any performance issues in line with society policies and procedures.

Ensure that full retail management cover is available at weekends on a “business as usual” case.

Ensure that there is an appropriate and cost effective staffing structure.

Ensure all volunteer hours, personal information or special circumstances are recorded.
Administration and Security

Manage the secure receipt of all income generated by the Visitor Centre and ensure the accurate
completion of all financial and official records in accordance with RSPB procedures.

Ensure all volunteer and staff hours, personal information or special circumstances, including
amendments are recorded and communicated as necessary and recorded in line with the RSPB
guidelines.

Maintain all Society property in a safe and secure manner. Be vigilant in the prevention of theft of
stock or cash, damage to stock, fixtures and fittings, or injury to staff or visitors.

To be accountable at all times that the most up to date processes and procedures are adhered to by
yourself and your team.

Observe all Health and Safety guidelines, policies and regulations. This includes the preparation
and updating of risk assessments, and the implementation of actions arising from annual health and
safety inspections.

In conjunction with the reserve team and Central Services, ensure that retail staff and volunteers
observe all procedures and guidelines to maintain the security of the building and contents.

Required to maintain confidential information
Stock control and management.


To be accountable for the stock control within the store and to achieve stocktake results within the
company’s accepted tolerance levels
Manage and co-ordinate retail stock-takes as needed to the deadlines required.

To be accountable for the weekly rolling stock counts with results within the RSPB’s accepted
tolerance levels

To understand the company write off procedure of stock and to follow authorisation guidelines for
any stock that is written off over the RSPB’s tolerance levels
Team Working

To provide a work environment free of all forms of discrimination and harassment, where everyone
should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

To provide a safe working environment where people are valued and respected, that promotes the
health and welfare of all employees.

Create a positive and innovative culture of trust, participation and involvement within and between
teams.

Work closely with RSPB trading teams and regional staff to meet RSPB aims and objectives, and
obtain support and resources to achieve trading and recruitment targets.

Attend and actively contribute to reserve, regional and trading team meetings, the annual retail
conference or any other central conferences as required and cascade to the retail team on site
where necessary
Other Duties

Handle general enquiries and take a responsible lead in absence of other centre staff.

Liaise with Marketing & Publicity Officer to generate press coverage for shop activities and
promotions.
 Attend training courses and develop personal skills and knowledge in line with agreed personal and
team objectives.
 As a key holder, you may be asked to attend alarm call-outs during non trading hours.
 If required, act as Duty Manager and one of the reserve key holders for business and building
security.

To undertake any other activities reasonably requested in line with responsibilities/role by line
manager and/or other senior RSPB management.
 Maintain a high standard of personal presentation.
Other Relevant Factors
We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner, ensuring as little
damage to the environment as possible. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and
efficiently. You will be expected to apply ‘sound value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or
supply of goods and services.
RSPB volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to the RSPB’s aim to take action for the
conservation of wild birds and the environment. You will be expected to encourage, develop and support
volunteer involvement in our work.
Supporting information
RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve
Minsmere has been thrilling people with the opportunity to get close to nature for decades. Those who visit
and love it know that Minsmere is amazing – like nowhere else in the UK – because of its history
(established in 1947), its variety of habitats and species, its role in saving some of the UK’s most iconic birds
and because of the sense of space, peace, connection with nature and awe that you can experience here.
One of the most important wildlife sites in Europe, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),
Special Protection Area (SPA), candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), Ramsar and a Council of
Europe Diploma site it lies within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
and the Suffolk Heritage Coast. It forms the heart of a contiguous network of sites managed for nature
conservation interest between the Blyth and Alde estuaries
It has also played an important role in global nature conservation. The first purpose-built wader habitat in the
world was made at Minsmere (known as the Scrape) and has been copied at many other sites, such as Mai
Po in Hong Kong and Kuala Selangor in Malaysia.
RSPB Retail
Retail is a vital element in the RSPB’s trading arm, with a turnover in 2013 of almost £9m, which includes a
successful online mail order business, as well as licensing and trade income. On site catering also makes
an increasingly significant contribution.
Minsmere is one of the RSPB’s 24 retail sites (20 on reserves and four at other locations) and 11 catering
outlets across the UK. In 2013/14 Minsmere alone contributed over 9% of the RSPB’s total retail and
catering sales and almost 10% of its profit. With higher visitor and customer numbers, this is set to increase
in the current financial year.
One of the key objectives in the RSPB’s corporate strategy, Saving Nature, includes the target of doubling
income by 2020 to achieve its conservation goals.
100% of the profits from everything sold by the RSPB goes straight back into funding the RSPB’s
conservation work in the UK and around the world.
Living in Suffolk
Minsmere is part of the Suffolk Coasts and Heath
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB, one of
Britain’s finest landscapes. Located on the coast
of East Anglia, it covers 150 square miles and
includes wildlife-rich wetlands, ancient heaths,
windswept shingle beaches and historic towns
and villages.
Suffolk, itself, is an outstandingly beautiful county. The county has a landscape as varied as its rich history,
contrasting pretty timber-framed medieval wool villages such as Lavenham, Clare and Kersey to the
maritime and fishing ports of Ipswich and Lowestoft; Southwold with its elegant houses and greens, famous
Adnams brewery and jolly pier; unspoiled rivers for all to enjoy, with plenty of space for sailing or fishing
enthusiasts; a coast of beaches for all-comers, whether swimming in the sea at Walberswick or sitting on the
shingle with fish and chips at Dunwich ; and an abundance of fine market towns dotted across the county, all
with superb churches and excellent shops, pubs and restaurants.
Flatford Mill, where John Constable painted The Haywain, nestles in the Stour Valley, close to his native
East Bergholt. A dozen miles away Thomas Gainsborough’s birthplace in Sudbury is now a museum and his
statue graces the market place. Up the coast at Aldeburgh lived composer, Benjamin Britten, born in
Lowestoft. He co-founded the Aldeburgh Festival of Music and Arts, established in 1948 – the year after
Minsmere became a nature reserve – and which takes place annually in June at Snape Maltings, nowadays
the musical hub on the Suffolk Coast all year round. Latitude music and arts festival happens in Henham
Park, near Southwold every July, and one its star performers of recent years, Ed Sheeran, went to primary
and secondary school in nearby Framlingham.
As well as a thriving agricultural industry, several international organisations are based in Suffolk...BT
research and development at Martlesham, Britain’s chief container port at Felixstowe and Newmarket, the
home of horse racing. Suffolk also has one of the UK’s most recent Higher Education institutions, University
Campus Suffolk, in the county town of Ipswich.
Suffolk remains one of the safest counties in the UK. Annual figures continue to show that the county is
among those with the lowest crime rates, compared to the national average.
The many faces of Suffolk include coastal beach huts, Lavenham (ancient wool town) and the Ipswich marina
development
Job Title: Retail Manager
Person Specification
Region /Dept: Eastern England / Minsmere
How criteria will be tested : A = Application Form, T = Test, I = Interview, P = Personality test, O = Other
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
A T
Experience
1 Significant retail management experience
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2
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Significant staff management experience
Skills/Abilities
3 Inspiring team leader with infectious enthusiasm and superb
people skills
4 Able to demonstrate highest standards of customer care
5 Efficient administrator with keen eye for detail
6 Highly developed and proven skills in merchandising –
excellent sense of store layout / stock presentation
7 Excellent levels of literacy and financial awareness
8 Excellent communication and influencing skills
9 Able to work under pressure effectively
10 Able to work flexibly, including weekends & holidays on a
regular basis
11 Able to travel to other locations
Knowledge
12 Excellent level of retail knowledge and commercial
awareness
Disposition/Circumstances
13 Enthusiastic, self motivated attitude, ambitious to drive
business forward
14 Forward thinking and able to work on own initiative
15
Well presented at all times
√
I P O Qualifications
a Degree or retail-related qualification
√ √
A T
√
Experience
b Broad-based experience of retail business
√
Skills/Abilities
c First Aid at Work certificate
√
I P O
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√
√
√
√ √
√ √ √
√ √ √
√
√
√
√ √
√
√
√
√
√
√
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√ √
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√ √
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Knowledge
d Interest in natural history and conservation, especially birds √
and birdwatching
Disposition/Circumstances
√
APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
PLEASE REFER TO VACANCY DETAILS FOR RETURN ADDRESS
Job Ref. No.
A1580714
Position applied for
Location
How did you first learn of this vacancy?
Identification details
(BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE)
Surname
Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Other
Forenames
Address
Postcode
Email address
May we, with discretion, phone you at work?
Home tel no
Yes
No
Business tel
no
Do you hold a current, valid driving licence?
If yes, what type?
If yes, do you have any current endorsements?
If yes, please give details of any current endorsements.
Yes
Full
Yes
No
Provisional
No
Qualifications relevant to this application (including technical and/or professional).
Please provide details (note that these may be verified on appointment)
Current membership of any professional or technical organisations.
Please provide details (note that these may be verified on appointment)
Application Pack July 2012
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered
charity: England and Wales No. 207076 Scotland No. SC037654
Employment history
Please give details of all jobs held, including part-time and unpaid work, starting with your current
or most recent employer. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Employer’s full name &
address
Job title/
Key achievements & areas
of responsibility
Length of time in job/
Reasons for leaving/
Final salary in role
Relevant skills/knowledge/experience
You should outline below how your skills/knowledge/experience meet the requirements of the Person
Specification. You may draw on past employment and/or out of work activities. Please include details
of any scientific papers you have had published. Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Why are you interested in applying for this post?
Continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Length of notice
Declaration
The information on this form will be used for recruitment and selection purposes only and if your
application is successful it will form part of your employment record. All unsuccessful applications will
be destroyed twelve months after the closing date for positions advertised in Scotland, England and
Wales and three years after the closing date for positions advertised in Northern Ireland.
Are you eligible to work in the UK ?
Yes

No

For Internal applicants only: In the event of my application being successful give my permission for
the HR Department to approach my line manager for an internal reference.
If it is discovered that you have given any information, which you know to be false, or withhold any
relevant information your application may be rejected or any subsequent employment terminated.
I confirm that the information contained in this application form is correct.
Signature ...................................................................................... ……………………………………….
Date
.................................................................................................................................................
Application Pack July 2012
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered
charity: England and Wales No. 207076 Scotland No. SC037654