Are you enthusiastic, hands-on, adaptable and have a can-do attitude? An exciting vacancy has arisen in our dynamic charity for an Operations Assistant.
The Operations Assistant plays a a key role within our team, responsible for assisting the staff team in the day-to-day operations of our social enterprise (business) and helping achieve the aims and objectives of Emmaus Cambridge, which includes supporting companions (the people who live at Emmaus Cambridge) and the broader community.
This is a customer facing role, fast-paced and very hands on. You must be a people-person and have a driving license and expect no two days to be the same. It would also help if you have a love of physical work and logistics.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Support, coach and supervise Companions’ across various areas, including:
- Sorting textiles
- Shop floor
- Warehouse (movement of heavy goods)
- Donations hub (greeting customers and sorting donations)
- Electrical shop
- Collections and deliveries
- House clearances
- Markets, typically over weekends
- Online sales
- The tills/handling cash and providing excellent customer service
- Support with displaying merchandise
- Organise cleaning of business premises and general presentation of facilities
- Price and sell donated goods, on occasion, research pricing
- Identify potentially valuable items for valuation/auction/online selling.
- Support with the responsible disposal of unsaleable donations
- Reconcile till and petty cash
- Build rapport and work alongside volunteers, both regular and adhoc
- Promote the concept of ‘solidarity’
- Be a positive role model for the Emmaus movement
- Drive vehicles, as required, on and off site
- Participate in morning meetings, staff meetings and contribute to decision making.
About Emmaus Cambridge
Emmaus Cambridge works with vulnerable people who have either experienced homelessness or have been at risk of homelessness. The people we support are called companions and live on our site at Landbeach Cambridge.
The role is integral in helping companions find their purpose in life by providing a safe, secure home and crucial work experience across the multiple areas of the social enterprise. The work experience offer across our social enterprise provides structure and is a vital tool which enables companions to build confidence and develop new skills. Alongside donations and fundraising, the social enterprise generates funds to enable the work of Emmaus Cambridge to continue and support the many acts of solidarity which directly benefit peoples in the community.
The social enterprise trades from Wednesday to Sunday and requires seven day working to prepare for trading days. The operations assistant will join a team of five full time experienced colleagues working a rota pattern of five working days across seven, typically with two non-working days together. The rota is produced on monthly basis. The successful candidate would benefit from experience in removals, retail, warehousing or logistics, or have appropriate transferrable skills. The nature of the work is varied and physical. Supervision is supportive and will involve leading by example and positive reinforcement of good practice.
As a small local charity it is essential that a good reputation is maintained, and this is supported by a selection of policies and procedures and excellent team involving volunteers, companions, colleagues and trustees. An appreciation for understanding professional boundaries is key as our work is undertaken is a location, which is a combination of residential and commercial.
Emmaus Cambridge is passionate about minimising waste and we act in an environmentally aware manner. Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently, optismising income where possible and minimising surplus.
As highlighted volunteers are a vital resource and make a valuable and essential contribution and supervision will extend to include encouragement, development and support of this important group.
This is a very exciting role and one which enables you to play a play in making a positive difference to the direction of another persons life. If you would like to find out more, we would encourage you to contact us to discuss this unique opportunity.
Any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure.
How to Apply
If you think you can make a difference, please read the full job description and person specification in the link below, and submit the application form, along with the equal opportunities monitoring form, to Chief Operating Officer, Joan Kearns at [email protected] by Monday 14th October 2024.
For enquiries about the role please contact [email protected] or call 07923 215910