Operations Assistant

Overall Purpose of the Job
The Operations Assistant works within the social enterprise to help achieve the aims and objectives of Emmaus Cambridge, which includes supporting companions (the people who live at Emmaus Cambridge) and the broader community.

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
• Ensuring the shop floor is always well stocked with well displayed merchandise that is priced in line with Emmaus guidelines
• Identifying potentially valuable items for valuation/auction/online selling
• Handling and moving the delivery of furniture and other donations
• Identifying unsaleable donations for recycling
• Undertaking duties to open and close the Social Enterprise including setting up tills.
• Working in line with safety regulations and promoting health, safety and wellbeing in everything we do
• Building rapport and working alongside volunteers, both regular and adhoc
• Promoting the concept of ‘solidarity’
• Be a positive role model for Companions and the Emmaus movement
• Drive vehicles (up to 3.5tonne), as required, on and off site
• Participate in morning meetings, staff meetings and contribute to decision making.
• Act as a key holder opening and securing premises as required.

Community support activities

• Assist with integrating Companions into the social enterprise.
• Ensure appropriate sharing of information related to Companions with the staff team
• Support with the progression of companions, working with the support team where necessary
• Assist with the ongoing monitoring in accordance with community licenses, including random drug testing and use of a breathalyser
• Adhere to the Emmaus ethos and apply community rules fairly and consistently.

Additional duties to ensure smooth running of business and community as required

• Active involvement in the delivery of the Emmaus Cambridge strategic plan
• Attend meetings and liaise with external agencies as necessary
• Perform any other tasks or duties as deemed necessary by the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive
• Undertake ‘on call’ duties as required. Training is provided.

General

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 at our site at Landbeach Cambridge.

This 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 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 benefits people 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. We endeavour to offer two consecutive non-working days off but this may not always be possible. 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 in 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, optimising 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 and varied role and one which enables you to play a part in making a positive difference to the direction of another person’s 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.