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THE SWANAGE RAILWAY TRUST
17,000 per year
Swanage
Part-time
Retail Team Leader
Reports to: Retail Officer

Location: Based at Swanage, with regular travel across the Railway

Hours: Part time (25 hours per week, with evening and weekend working)

Contract: Annualised

Salary: £17,000 per annum

Purpose of the Role
To lead the day-to-day delivery of retail operations across the railway, ensuring a
welcoming, high-quality visitor experience while maximising secondary spend. The
Retail Team Leader plays a hands-on role, leading by example, supporting staff and
volunteers, and ensuring retail outlets are well-presented, well-stocked, and visitor-
focused at all times.

Key Responsibilities – Retail Operations
- Lead daily retail operations across all shops, kiosks, and pop-up outlets.

- Ensure shops are open, staffed, clean, attractive, and fully stocked.

- Maintain high standards of visual merchandising aligned with seasonal events and
branding.

- Support stock control, deliveries, pricing, and basic cash handling procedures.

- Work closely with the Retail Officer/Manager on product ranges and promotions.

Key Responsibilities – Team Leadership
- Act as first point of contact for retail staff and volunteers during shifts.

- Provide on-the-job support, guidance, and informal training.

- Help coordinate rotas, breaks, and cover to ensure smooth operation.

- Foster a positive, inclusive, and motivated team culture.

- Lead by example in customer service and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities – Visitor Experience
- Deliver consistently excellent customer service across all retail outlets.

- Support visitors with enquiries, accessibility needs, and general assistance.

- Handle minor complaints or issues professionally, escalating when required.

- Act as a visible ambassador for the railway and its values.

Commercial Awareness
- Encourage upselling and cross-selling in a friendly, visitor-focused way.

- Support event trading (galas, Christmas services, special events).

- Provide feedback on visitor trends, popular products, and improvement
opportunities.

- Assist with end-of-day checks and basic reporting where required.

Health, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure safe working practices in all retail environments.

- Follow safeguarding, cash handling, and data protection procedures.

- Support risk assessments and incident reporting as required.

Person Specification – Essential
- Experience in retail, hospitality, or visitor attraction environments.

- Confident supervising or leading others (staff or volunteers).

- Strong customer service skills with a friendly, calm approach.

- Practical, hands-on attitude and ability to multitask.

- Willingness to work weekends, bank holidays, and busy event days.

Person Specification – Desirable
- Experience working with volunteers.

- Visual merchandising or stock control experience.

- Interest in heritage, tourism, or visitor attractions.

Reporting Line
Reports to: Retail Officer

Works closely with: Visitor Services, Catering, Events, and Volunteer Teams