Draft Job Description
General Manager/

Job Purpose ~ Location & Duration ~ Responsibilities ~ Personnel Management ~ External Liaison ~ Skills and Experience (Essential) ~ Skills and Experience (Desirable) ~ Background / Environment / Job Context ~ Organisational Structure and Reporting System ~ Variation and Special Notes ~

Apply for this Job

1. JOB PURPOSE

Skilled at managing, making a difference and making things grow? Can you combine proven ability as a manager and a strong emphasis on people skills with concern for the relief of poverty in the community and caring for the environment?

Refurbiz, a four-year-old charity has been successfully steered through its start-up phase, and now provides annually up to 2,000 households in need with essential, refurbished white goods throughout Wiltshire.

We need someone to keep us growing sustainably and develop key relations with partners in local authorities and waste management. Based at our Devizes facility, you'd have the backing of an experienced board and motivated staff, and you'd offer us at least 20 hours (possibly up to 37 hours) per week.

A competitive salary is available for the right candidate. Applications should be received by Oct 16th and set out your experience and how you could help Refurbiz meet its goals. Interviews on Oct 27th.

2. LOCATION AND DURATION

The workshop is based in Devizes.  Some travel within the county may be required. The post is for twelve months initially, renewable dependant on funding.

3. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the Refurbiz collection, repair and delivery facilities and the supporting sales, logistics and administration.

• Support the Refurbiz Business Plan, in line with stated objectives, relevant legislation and codes of conduct.

• Ensure and maintain quality standards of refurbished appliances that meet the standards and requirements of the FRN operating manual 'Fit for Reuse'.

• Play a significant role in developing sales.

• Liaise as necessary with all members and supporters of Refurbiz, local authorities, housing associations and their contractors.

• Ensure legal compliance and high standards of maintenance of vehicles and equipment.

• Manage efficient administrative, financial and management systems, including accurate paper and computer records and prepare reports as required.

• Provide supporting data to fund-raisers preparing major applications for grants from trusts and government agencies.

• Contribute to the team effort and overall performance of the project.

4. PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Essential

• Developing and maintaining good staff relations, attitudes and morale within the Refurbiz team (both paid and voluntary).

• Carry out annual appraisals, staff briefings and feedback sessions.

• Maintain and promote Refurbiz Policies for H&SW, Environment, Equal Opportunity Policy and Vulnerable Adults.

• Encourage and enable all staff to develop their skills including arranging relevant training and support.

• Maintain staff HR records.

5. EXTERNAL LIAISON

Desirable

Applicants expressing interest in a full time position should note that in these circumstances they will be called upon to fulfil an outreach and networking role, representing Refurbiz and building relationships with other organisations and important agencies within the sector. See 10. below.

• Representing Refurbiz to any outside body as required or directed and participating in the activity of these bodies as agreed.

• Promoting a favourable public profile and image for Refurbiz.

6. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Proven management and leadership skills with both staff and volunteers

• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken

• Motivated and motivational

• Computer office and organisation skills

• Knowledge and experience in managing workshops/warehouses

• Knowledge of relevant Health and Safety regulations

• Willing to share and impart knowledge to others

• Full driving licence

7. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Desirable

• Understanding of the voluntary and community sectors

• Understanding of sustainability

• Understanding of the WEEE directive

• Understanding of the electrical appliance sector

• Experience of working with local authorities

• Experience of work-based training provision

8. BACKGROUND / ENVIRONMENT / JOB CONTEXT

Refurbiz is a limited company (limited by guarantee) and registered charity. Its development has been aided by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Waste Prevention Programme with the support of seven voluntary-sector, furniture-recycling organizations in Wiltshire and Swindon. 

Refurbiz aims to reduce waste, to provide low cost, refurbished household goods to low income and disadvantaged families, and to provide employment and training opportunities.

The WEEE legislation will require more responsibility to be taken by local authorities and manufacturers. Moreover, waste management and minimization are steadily rising up the political agenda both locally and nationally and offer good long-term career prospects.

The legislation will require the separate collection, recycling and reuse of increasing quantities of all electrical and electronic household goods. Refurbiz intends to respond to this opportunity and significantly expand services.

Refurbiz has been successful in securing £300,000 from lottery funds for the period to December 2007. However further funding and revenue will be needed to meet Refurbiz's objectives.

9.  ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND REPORTING SYSTEM

Refurbiz is under the control of a Board of Trustees.

10.  VARIATION AND SPECIAL NOTES

The Trustees invite those with an interest in helping the disadvantaged and protecting the environment to consider how they might contribute to these goals as the General Manager of Refurbiz. The Trustees are happy to receive applications from those who feel they can commit only a limited number of hours per week (minimum 20) to ensuring that the Refurbiz Operation runs smoothly and continues to grow sustainably.

The Trustees would be equally pleased to hear from those who are seeking a full time commitment who would add to the day to day management role the wider task of networking on behalf of Refurbiz within the County with both Local Government, Key Contractors and other agencies.

8.  APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Application form (a reader program can be downloaded free from Adobe Acrobat if required).  Please note that Refurbiz uses a standard application form for all types of job and the form has many sections.

Applications should be sent to:

HR (Confidential)

Refurbiz Limited,
Unit 18, Devizes Trade Centre,
Hopton Park Industrial Estate,

London Road, Devizes,
Wiltshire, SN10 2EH.

 

Tel:  (01380) 720 200  

Email:  jobs@refurbiz.org

Registered Charity Number 1107150

Limited Registered Company Number 04952104

© Refurbiz Limited 2006