Job Description

Position Title
General Manager - Centre Thrift

FTE
1.00

Compensation Type
Salary

Salary Minimum

Salary Description

Benefits
Standard MCC benefits package is employer-paid and includes Extended Health & Dental coverage, Life Insurance, global medical assistance, AD&D, Long-Term Disability, and up to a 5% RRSP salary match - effective on day one of employment.

Location City
Abbotsford

Location Country
Canada

Location Description

Applications Close Date
Sep 30, 2022

Start Date
Oct 31, 2022

Start Date Flexible
Or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Term Length
Indeterminate

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

• High level of enthusiasm and passion for the work of MCC and the integral role of Thrift within the organization, demonstrating this passion daily to encourage and motivate the team
• Results-driven with demonstrated ability to achieve growth and measurable improvements in the workplace, specifically in sales revenue as well as organizational culture
• Bachelor of Business or other relevant Degree preferred or commensurate experience
• 5+ years of leadership experience
• Proven ability to manage in a multi-dimensional and dynamic work environment
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and administer a multi-staff team
• Able to work collaboratively with the Volunteer Committee, other employees and volunteers; creating a pleasant work environment that promotes teamwork and cooperation
• Strong interpersonal skills, willing and able to work with a variety of people; friendly, outgoing, and demonstrating appreciation of the volunteers working at the shop
• Ability to sensitively and respectfully assist individuals who represent a diverse and/or marginalized population sector
• Knowledge of the second-hand merchandise market, including clothing, housewares, and furniture
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite, internet, and email skills
• Understanding of the marketing value of social media platforms as well as the e-commerce sector and being pro-active in driving growth in those areas
• Current First Aid training (may be provided in first 3 months of employment)
• WHIMIS and Occupational Health & Safety knowledge (training may be provided in first three months of employment)
• Satisfactory criminal record check
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record (abstract)

Job Synopsis
The MCC BC Centre Thrift Shop receives and sells used clothing, housewares, books, hardware, furniture, and appliances, with proceeds designated to support the work of MCC. The General Manager (GM) will be responsible for the daily operation of the Shop from receiving to the retail floor, promoting and implementing MCC Thrift Shop best practices throughout the Shop. In a collaborative manner, the GM will provide a vision and direction for the overall operation of the Shop. The GM will be accountable for the Shop's annual sales revenue, expenses, and net income. The GM provides oversight and support for approximately 20 staff (including casual workers) and a roster of 300 volunteers, cultivating and maintaining an inclusive team approach. The GM will demonstrate servant leadership to staff, volunteers, customers, and donors in a manner that reflects Christian respect and integrity and advances the mission and values of MCC. The General Manager reports to the MCC BC Thrift Director and works with the Volunteer Committee.

The General Manager is expected to work on a rotating schedule which will include some Saturdays, and possibly occasional evenings and holidays.

This position is available on a salaried basis. Only those candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada should apply.

Challenges
Occasional evening and weekend work; Occasional long days; Work requires healthy boundaries; Diverse group of stakeholders

Key Responsibilities
Management:
Provide creative vision and direction for the shop, continually working towards measurable growth and development of shop operations, (sales and organizational culture)
Taking leadership in coaching/mentoring, mediation, and conflict resolution, striving for peaceful reconciliation and harmony in the workplace, promoting inclusivity and diversity
Create strong lines of communication between staff and volunteers, taking the lead role in communicating with the entire volunteer and staff teams
Dealing with any sensitive or confidential situations that may arise within the staff team, including performance related issues, in consultation with the area Supervisor and Human Resources
Responding to customer or volunteer complaints or issues with sensitivity and respect, including supervisors where necessary
Cultivate a strong service environment in the store and back-of-house built on respect and inclusiveness; coach staff when this is not being exemplified
Lead by example in terms of self-motivation and taking of initiative in running a financially successful shop
Take the lead role in working towards more sustainable business practices, being pro-active in finding creative solutions towards waste reduction
Managing all aspects of HR relating to the staff team, including vacations and absence reporting, performance appraisals as well as communicating any updates to current HR policies as they relate to MCC BC staff
Facilitate training on key policies involving safeguarding and harassment prevention, and in the case of safeguarding incidents ensuring that there is prompt and proper documentation and reporting to Human Resources Director
Collaborating with HR on administering payroll and managing all aspects of staff scheduling
Overseeing all aspects of safety both on the retail floor as well as back of house, ensuring daily safety checks and sanitizations are being carried out and being ready to rapidly respond to any changes relating to safety, particularly as they pertain to communicable diseases
Attend Joint Health and Safety Committee meetings as a store Supervisor Representative and implement any safety related measures as needed, in consultation with the Safety Committee where appropriate
Manage the Shop's budget and provide input into yearly budgets in consultation with the MCC BC Thrift Director
Control expenses to remain within budget as approved by MCC BC Thrift Director
Meet monthly sales and revenue targets as agreed on, in consultation with MCC BC Thrift Director; be able to speak to sales trends in key departments in addition to other key performance indicators such as customer traffic, average transaction value and colour rotation tendencies
Oversee the daily operations of the shop. This includes but is not limited to shop opening and closing; special events and sales; oversee and review scheduling of trucks; counting, recording and depositing daily cash when necessary; ensuring the shop is neat, clean and attractive; supervising staff, leading daily staff meetings, assisting and supporting daily volunteers; operating cash register as required; answering and responding to phone and email communication
Oversee all aspects of merchandising in collaboration with department supervisors, including shop layout, displays and signage, including window and special features. Assist in developing merchandising guidelines, as necessary
Recommend and maintain shop policies in consultation with the MCC BC Thrift Director
Maintain professional and respectful relationships with outside organizations, including social service organizations, churches, other service groups and private contractors
Supervise staff: involved as part of hiring team, provide input into job design and provide orientation and training, as well as ongoing evaluation and follow-up; Consistently monitor performance, document and follow-up with all performance issues with paid staff in a timely manner; Provide staffing performance documentation to MCC BC Thrift Director and HR
Creating effective staffing schedules that provide strong coverage during key busy times in addition to consistent staff levels for security of volunteers, staff, customers and donors
Conduct consistently scheduled staff meetings to create strong lines of communication
Ensure shop Occupational Health and Safety compliance
Administer contracts for garbage, recycling, janitorial, maintenance, etc.
Maintain a high level of integrity, reflecting Christian respect and Christ's unconditional love to those we serve, including the staff, volunteers, customers, and people in need that ask for help
Model reconciliation and healing in daily actions with public, volunteers, and staff
Articulate the mission of the Thrift Shop and the broader work of MCC, including local programs
Network in the community by attending and being actively involved in a local community church

Volunteer Coordination:
Oversee the Centre Thrift Volunteer Coordinator regarding volunteer recruiting and volunteer role design in collaboration with other staff
Oversee the screening of volunteer applications and volunteer interviews and ensuring the volunteer database is kept up-to-date
Oversee monthly volunteer scheduling
Orientation: Oversee the training, education, development, initial and ongoing for all volunteers, in consultation with the MCC BC Volunteer Coordinator
Responsible for monitoring adequate and appropriate supervision, delegating, motivating and appreciation in respect of volunteers by the Centre Thrift Volunteer Coordinator
Oversee all planning and implementation of volunteer appreciation events and gestures
Daily interaction with volunteers, engage with staff and volunteers to cultivate strong morale in the shop

Administration and Marketing:
Develop and implement an advertising and public relations plan in consultation with staff, volunteers, and the MCC BC Thrift Director
Responsible for shop administration, i.e., manage the shop's office, including data entry of daily sales, mail, paying bills, petty cash, maintaining volunteer records, etc. Can choose to delegate these tasks out, but critical to follow-up and review on a constant basis
Oversee the development and maintenance the shop's online presence, including social media and e-commerce, allowing the marketing coordinator creative freedom, but offering guidance when needed
Act in the role of Chair of the Volunteer Committee if required
Attend manager's meetings as required, including volunteer meetings, assist compiling manager's reports and all supporting documents as required
Relate to MCC personnel as needed, and attend MCC sponsored events, as required

Challenges/Working Conditions:
The position requires working in a fast-paced retail store environment with lots of distractions and requires spending a significant portion of time on one's feet. It requires the ability to respond to the often simultaneous demands from customers, volunteers and occasional requests for aid. This position also involves the handling of used goods and the lifting of objects of up to 50 lbs.

The MCC Centre Thrift Shop is on Gladys Avenue in downtown Abbotsford which lends it to interaction with people living on the margins of society, including people who live homeless. From time to time there is a need to deal with drug-addicted and/or street-involved persons. To this end, the General Manager, Assistant Manager, staff and volunteers must be prepared for and skilled in interacting with people who live homeless in a respectful and caring way.