Stripey Stork – Operations Team Leader
Stripey Stork is a registered charity (1161613) that transforms the lives of families in need through the simple act of recycling. We collect new and pre‑loved items for babies and children – equipment, clothes, furniture, and toys – and distribute them to families in Surrey, Croydon and surrounding areas. Our mission is to alleviate the impacts of childhood poverty by giving families the essential things they need to develop and reach their potential.
Location
51a Albert Road North, Reigate, RH2 9EL & 29 Linkfield Lane, Redhill, RH1 1SS. Occasionally, the role holder will meet stakeholders across the Surrey area.
The role
We are seeking an enthusiastic, proactive, and hands‑on Operations Team Leader to drive the smooth running of our three operational sites and support our day‑to‑day service delivery. You’ll manage people, processes and space to ensure that every aspect of site management – including incoming donations, checking processes, stock deliveries, site safety, maintenance and storage – runs efficiently and effectively.
Key responsibilities
Operational Support
* Manage day‑to‑day operations across all sites, ensuring a safe, efficient and welcoming environment for staff, volunteers and visitors.
* Take overall responsibility for managing incoming stock and donations – ensuring effective sorting, storing and tracking – with the Donations Coordinator.
* Support the fundraising team with accurate record‑keeping of new (in‑kind) donated goods.
* Take overall responsibility for site safety, maintenance and compliance (including fire safety, security and health and safety) – with the Facilities Coordinator.
* Optimise workspace and storage areas to maintain efficient workflows and accommodate volunteers, donations, projects and events.
* Ensure systems and processes are used consistently within Service Delivery, including data management and GDPR compliance.
* Ensure the organisation has the necessary policies and insurances in place to support staff, volunteers and safe working spaces.
* Ensure that our high standards of safety and quality in items we pass on are upheld across all sites, making sure that every referral ‘feels like a gift, and not a handout’.
* Liaise with landlords, partners, neighbours and contractors to ensure facilities are managed effectively and align with workflow needs.
* Provide leadership and guidance to the Operations Team, line‑managing the Facilities Coordinator and Donations Coordinator, and fostering a positive, inclusive and efficient working culture.
* Work closely with the Team Leaders in Volunteering, Referrals and Projects to ensure all aspects of our service are delivered efficiently, collaboratively and to the same consistently high standards.
* Contribute to staff recruitment, induction, training and development.
* Promote and support collaboration across the wider organisation, working closely with marketing and fundraising colleagues to achieve organisational goals.
* Deputise for the Head of Service when required.
Planning and Improvement
* Use data and feedback to inform planning, reporting and decision‑making.
* Review operational processes and procedures regularly to ensure efficiency and respond to fluctuations in demand and supply.
* Support the Head of Service with longer‑term operational planning and implementing agreed priorities.
* Support innovation by suggesting and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency and impact.
* Contribute to the development and delivery of Stripey Stork’s strategic and operational plans.
Safeguarding and Compliance
* Ensure policies are implemented and that staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities.
* Ensure compliance with all statutory, health and safety and GDPR requirements.
About you
* Shares our belief that every child deserves the same start in life and is motivated by purpose‑driven work.
* Has experience managing operations, facilities or logistics in a busy, people‑centred environment.
* Is a confident, visible team leader who inspires and supports others to do their best work.
* Is organised, practical and solutions‑focused – comfortable juggling multiple priorities and adapting to new challenges.
* Is comfortable in a warehouse environment and with physical lifting, carrying and space management. This is an active, physical role involving frequent lifting and movement of donated items, such as bags of clothes and unassembled cots, in line with manual handling guidance and personal assessments.
* Ensures that personal attitude and approach is consistent with promoting positive behaviours and the values of the organisation.
* Has excellent communication skills across all channels.
* Is comfortable creating, amending and staying close to best practice in the necessary operational policies required to support the organisation.
* Is tech‑savvy and confident planning, using data and systems to track, report and improve performance.
* Is proactive and collaborative – able to build strong relationships across teams and with external partners.
* Has some experience with CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and Excel.
* Has a full UK driving licence (driving of company vehicle may be required).
Our values in action
* We treat everyone with kindness and respect.
* We work collaboratively and express our gratitude for the support we receive.
* We value volunteers as an essential part of our team.
* We strive for efficiency so that every donation goes further.
* We keep families at the heart of everything we do.
Salary and hours of work
FTE salary of £28,438. 35 hours per week. Some weekend and evening work may be required to support additional donation/volunteer shifts. The role holder will be enrolled in the pension scheme (NEST).
Reports to
Head of Service
Line management responsibilities
Donations Coordinator (22 hours) and Facilities Coordinator (10 hours)
Contract
Permanent contract with a three‑month probationary period.
To apply
* Please submit your CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining:
o Why you are interested in this role and Stripey Stork.
o Your relevant operational/facilities management experience and key achievements.
o How your skills align with the needs of this role.
* Send these to recruitment@stripeystork.org.uk by 12pm on Monday 12th January.
EEO statement
At Stripey Stork, we are committed to building an inclusive team culture that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We value different perspectives and experiences and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including those who are under‑represented in the charity sector or have lived experience of the challenges facing the families we support.
We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. We will make all reasonable adjustments to support applicants throughout the process, including ensuring that interview questions are shared in advance. If you require any adjustments, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
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