DCA Thrift Shop Manager

The Thrift Shop Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the DCA Thrift Shop, ensuring smooth functioning, strong customer service, efficient inventory management, and positive volunteer engagement. Executive Director: The ED provides leadership for the DCA’s broader business and strategic initiatives, including fundraising, budgeting, capital projects, and community partnerships.

Job Description

Job Title: | DCA Thrift Shop Manager
Reports to: | Executive Director
Employment Type: | Full time, Salaried
FLSA Classification: | Exempt
Regular Work Schedule: | 40-hour work week Tuesday – Saturday, 9am to 5pm
Primary Work Site | DCA Thrift Shop996 Boston Post RoadDarien, CT 06820
Compensation | $52,000 - $62,000 based on experience 
Travel | Reliable transportation is required to move between the Thrift Shop and DCA Meadowlands (274 Middlesex Road in Darien) 

About the Darien Community Association
The Darien Community Association is a nonprofit organization deeply rooted in our community. For over 100 years, community has been at the heart of everything we do. 

• We bring our community together in our historic buildings and green spaces to celebrate, to learn and to connect.
• We give back to our community through our scholarship program, which has awarded more than $2mm need-based scholarships to thousands of students since it began in 1941.
• We serve our community through our Thrift Shop, which was founded in 1931. Its central location on the Post Road allows thousands of customers in Darien, Stamford and Norwalk to shop for essential items, all while keeping tens of thousands of items out of landfills each year.

Position Overview
The Thrift Shop Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the DCA Thrift Shop, ensuring smooth functioning, strong customer service, efficient inventory management, and positive volunteer engagement. This role is hands-on and operational, managing donations, sales, volunteers, and customers. It is also collaborative, working with the full DCA team.

Core Responsibilities

Store Operations

• Oversee all daily operations of the Thrift Shop, ensuring a safe, welcoming, efficient, and mission-aligned environment. 
• Ensure consistent execution of opening and closing procedures, including security, cash controls, staffing coverage, and operational readiness. 
• Maintain accountability for compliance with DCA policies, retail procedures, and safety standards.
• Identify operational efficiencies; develop and implement systems that streamline donation intake, processing, and flow to the sales floor.

Facilities & Safety

• Ensure the shop floor, donation processing areas, storage spaces, and work areas remain clean, organized, and safe. 
• Identify and promptly address operational, safety, or maintenance concerns.
• Ensure the back stock room stays organized, safe, and efficient, with clear labeling, storage, and movement procedures.
• Maintain a clutter-free, hazard-free environment to protect volunteers, staff, and customers.
• Regularly review operations to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements.
• Enforce safety and organizational standards consistently across all shop areas.

Financial Management

• Oversee cash handling, register reconciliation, deposits, and petty cash procedures.
• Ensure accuracy of daily sales reporting and provide regular sales and operational reports to the Executive Director and Accounting Manager.
• Monitor sales performance and recommend strategies to improve revenue and operational efficiency.

Merchandising & Inventory Management

• Oversee the intake, sorting, pricing, merchandising, and disposition of donated goods.
• Maintain an organized inventory flow and backroom operation that supports timely movement of merchandise to the sales floor.
• Ensure merchandise presentation, displays, signage, and promotional materials are aesthetically pleasing, reflect a modern retail sensibility, and maximize sales potential.
• Develop and maintain pricing guidelines and inventory management practices.

Customer & Donor Experience

• Establish and uphold exceptional customer and donor service standards. 
• Address escalated customer, donor, or volunteer concerns in a timely and professional manner. 
• Foster a welcoming environment that encourages repeat shoppers, donors, and community engagement.

Management and Leadership

• Recruit, train, schedule and supervise a team of ~50 volunteers. 
• Share expectations, feedback, and decisions in a direct, respectful way.
• Create an environment where the assistant manager and volunteers feel comfortable bringing ideas or concerns.
• Build a positive workplace culture that supports retention, engagement, and recognition.
• Clearly define responsibilities, provide ongoing coaching, and promote accountability and teamwork. 

Collaboration and Partnership with DCA Meadowlands Team

The Thrift Shop Manager is part of the broader DCA team (all of whom have offices across town at the DCA Meadowlands property on Middlesex Road). The Manager must work in close partnership with peers to ensure smooth operations and alignment with the organization’s mission. This requires proactive, professional communication, advance planning, mutual respect, and a solutions-oriented approach.

• Executive Director: The ED provides leadership for the DCA’s broader business and strategic initiatives, including fundraising, budgeting, capital projects, and community partnerships. The Thrift Shop Manager is responsible for the execution of directives from the ED.
• Accounting Manager: Provide timely reports, organized receipts, and any other requested documentation. Meet with the Accounting Manager monthly..
• Communications Manager: Collaborate on marketing strategy and upcoming promotions. 
• Office Manager: Communicate administrative needs when appropriate.
• Property Team: Communicate facility needs early so they can work requests into the overall property maintenance schedule, which covers all four DCA properties. 
• Programs Manager: Partner with the Programs Manager on planning any Thrift Shop events or pop-ups that take place at the DCA Meadowlands.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail management and operations.
• Bachelors degree or 5+ years Retail Leadership experience preferred
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and with a diverse team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to handle any difficult interactions gracefully.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including Weekends and Evenings.
• Ability to lift and move merchandise (up to 40 lbs).
• Comfortable standing for long periods of time.

Physical Demands

1. NA  (Not Applicable)
2. Seldom (1-10% of the time)
3. Occasional (10-30% of the time)
4. Frequent (30-70% of the time)
5. Constant (over 70% of the time)

• Sitting | Seldom  
• Climbing ladders | Occasional
• Standing | Constant  
• Working at heights/balancing | Seldom
• Walking | Constant  
• Crawling | Seldom
• Bending/twisting at waist | Frequent
• Reaching above shoulder | Frequent
• Lifting <15# | Constant 
• Lifting 15-50# | Frequent 
• Lifting >50# | Seldom 
• Repetitive hand/arm movement | Occasional
• Handling/Grasping | Constant
• Fine finger manipulation | Seldom
•  Carrying <15# | Constant 
•  Carrying 15-50# | Frequent 
•  Carrying >50# | Occasional 
•  Pushing/Pulling | Frequent 
•  Climbing stairs | Frequent 
• Seeing | Constant
• Hearing | Constant
• Talking | Frequent

Equal Opportunity Employer
DCA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or Connecticut law. 

To Apply
Please send a cover letter and your resume to careers@dariendca.org.