General Manager

Job Synopsis:

We are seeking a General Manager (GM) for our Port Colborne Thrift Store. The Christian Benefit Shop (CBS) management board is responsible for the operation of two long-term thrift stores: Port Thrift in Port Colborne and New to You in Welland. The CBS board and stores are affiliated with the Niagara Be in Christ churches and have ties to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and MCC Ontario (MCCO).

CBS Mission Statement:

The Christian Benefit Shop is a non-profit ministry of the Niagara-area Be-in-Christ Churches. We are committed to following Christ's example in reaching out to all people in our community. Working in partnership with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), we exist to recycle and sell quality, donated items at reasonable prices. Profits from our operations will be used to support MCC’s relief efforts as well as needs in the local community. Our values statement is at the end of this document.

The General Manager (GM) for Port Thrift is responsible for the financial health of the shop, including revenue growth, expense management, and the day-to-day drivers of performance such as pricing, product flow, and merchandising. The GM makes and carries out short- and long-term planning and guides the store based on the seven core values of CBS (see below).

This salaried full-time position reports to the management board and directly supervises three staff members and provides general oversight and support to two other staff and 75 volunteers. We seek a GM who can cultivate and maintain an effective team approach to enable strong functioning of all store participants.

The GM works with the staff and volunteers to promote a friendly, caring, and safe presence in the community. The GM shows value and respect to all, faithful stewardship, and awareness of the CBS to promote the shop and engage shoppers, donors and supporting community organizations.

Applicants must be legally able to work in Canada for the duration of their employment. Successful candidates will be required to provide a Police Background Check upon hire. 

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected to move forward in our hiring process will be contacted. 

Qualifications:

The GM will support and uphold the mission, values, and Christian identity of CBS. CBS is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity.

Required leadership:

• Demonstrated capacity for coordination, supervision, leadership, and administration.
• Proven ability to provide leadership in a fast-paced environment, engaging talents of volunteers and staff.
• Effective history in managing, training, and mentoring a staff team.
• Strong experience in a retail or warehouse environment, or equivalent—likely in the range of 6 plus years.
• Strong planning, monitoring, budgeting, evaluating, and reporting skills.
• Ability to engage and influence others to achieve organizational goals.
• Ability to effectively deal with potential conflict in all areas of the shop management.
• Proven history of taking initiative and process improvement, leading with creativity, humour, and flexibility.
• Track record of short- and long-term, and special events planning.

Retail and Customer Service:

• Ability to create and refine systems that ensure timely processing of donations, efficient product flow, and a well-stocked but not overcrowded sales floor.
• Knowledge of sustainability and waste reduction practices.
• Knowledge of the second-hand market with an awareness of regulations regarding selling donated goods is an asset but not required.

Communication:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English including reading, writing and analysis.
• Ability to communicate in an articulate, engaging manner with tact and diplomacy when speaking with staff, the public, volunteers, donors, colleagues, and supporters.
• Ability to set, communicate and enforce policies. 

General:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and related leadership experience
• Excellent organizational and relational skills with good attention to detail.
• Intermediate working knowledge of MS Office programs including Excel, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint.
• General comfort with computers. Ability to learn and adopt new software. Familiarity and comfort with computer programs that facilitate remote connectivity (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom, etc.).
• Ability to analyze sales and other store data, report findings, and make necessary adjustments to meet goals.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and exert 11 to 25 lbs. of force frequently.
• May require 6 or more hours of intermittent standing or walking in a standard workday.
• May be exposed to strong scents and potential hazards from donated goods.
• Ability to repeatedly bend or stoop to floor level shelves and able to reach upper shelves with use of a stool or a ladder when necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Flow and Floor Management:

• Ensure consistent flow of product from receiving to the sales floor, maintaining a clean, well-merchandised space that supports strong sales and a positive customer experience.
• Ability to create and refine systems that ensure timely processing of donations, efficient product flow, and a well-stocked and well-merchandised, but not overcrowded sales floor.
• General:
• Provide vision and overall direction for Port Thrift based on CBS’s strategic plan, including developing, monitoring, and evaluating project plans and annual plans for the thrift shop.
• Provide supervision, coaching, evaluation, support, training, and development for direct reports.
• Schedule and chair regular staff meetings as well as regular review of staff development and performance.
• Monitor and evaluate success over time according to key performance indicators identified. Through tracking and reporting, measure and manage the sales growth and projected planning of the shop in consultation with the board.
• Oversee financial processes ensuring accuracy and timeliness with administrative support.
• Ensure appropriate records are kept, including finance, evaluations, job descriptions, and health and safety documentation and incident reports.
• Ensure appropriate personnel records for staff and volunteers are kept.
• Participate in public speaking engagements to promote awareness of the stores and their services as well as the general work of CBS and potentially MCC.
• Liaise with our sister store in Welland (New to You), community partners, supporting churches and local schools, and new partners to further build relationships and gain support for the shop.
• Establish a strong working relationship with the MCCO staff and other MCCO store managers.
• Provide back-up support for the Assistant Manager and Team Members in their absence or as needed, including opening, and closing of the Thrift Shop.
• Implementing more retail and social media technology (e.g., a point of sale system, a volunteer tracking system such as Volgistics, and more media presence such as the Webpage, Instagram, TikTok). Currently we are not seeking an online sales presence but may move to this in the future.
• Enable timely comparative shopping prices in local stores (e.g., dollar stores and Goodwill).

Volunteer Engagement:

• The GM will oversee volunteer staffing including role design, recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, scheduling, monitoring and evaluating volunteers with the staff team. Volunteers may include community members, co-op and other students, interns, and Canada Summer Jobs students.
• Working with the assistant manager, arrange special events, including Volunteer Appreciation events and seasonal sales of merchandise e.g., Christmas, Easter, Canal Days, Plant sale.
• Arrange and chair regular volunteer meetings, either informal or formal.
• Keep volunteers and staff informed about Thrift Shop and board activities.
• Be proactive in promoting positive public, staff, donor and volunteer relations.

Health & Safety:

• Responsible for all aspects of safety of the facility.
• Ensure yourself, staff and volunteers adhere to company policies and legal regulations.
• Ensure staff comply with the risk management policy and procedures and foster a culture where risks are identified and mitigated.
• Support/direct the effective implementation of health and safety policies, procedures and regulations.

Other:

• Model nonviolent peacemaking through respectful interactions with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Serve as a brand advocate and ambassador for CBS mission and values
• Being proactive in promoting positive public, staff, and volunteer relations.

Start Date:  August 31, 2026 or as negotiated
Applications due: July 30, 2026.  Questions to Ann McKibbon, View email address on christiancareerscanada.com

Send CV and cover letter to: Ann McKibbon View email address on christiancareerscanada.com

or mail to:

Port Thrift
12 Charlotte Street,
Port Colborne, ON L3K 3C6

Salary Details:

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, in the range of $50-70k.

CBS affirms:

That AI is not used to screen, assess, or select applicants for any position.

All job postings are for an existing vacancy.

CBS Values

• Compassionate Community Service:  Treat every customer, donor, and volunteer with dignity, warmth, and respect.
• Stewardship and Global Impact:  Operate with integrity and purpose, ensuring every donation and purchase contributes to meaningful change.
• Quality and Thoughtful Curation : Emphasize quality over quantity, ensuring items are clean, useful, and responsibly sorted. Offer well‑curated, high‑quality goods that reflect pride in our work and respect for our customers and donors.
• Affordability and Accessibility : Keep prices fair and accessible so everyone in the community can shop with dignity.
• Environmental Responsibility:  Reduce environmental impact through reuse, recycling, and responsible donation practices.
• Local Partnerships and Community Suppor t: Strengthen Port Colborne through local giving, partnerships, and community engagement.
• Volunteer Empowerment and Belonging:  Create a supportive, inclusive environment where volunteers feel valued and connected.