ABOUT THE PENICUIK STOREHOUSE

The Penicuik Storehouse, its cafe and other projects are overseen by the Shareholders of the Penicuik Community Alliance, a Community Benefit Society. As a social enterprise we have set ourselves the mission to bring people together and make our community more resilient. In our shop we stock fresh produce, groceries, household products and toiletries that are local, environmentally friendly, organic, or fair trade to help enable people to live a healthier and more sustainable life.

However, we are much more than just a shop: We run a small community cafe and production kitchen, and we provide space for community groups, workshops and events. We are proud to work together with a variety of other community projects and charities.

OUR GUIDING VALUES

We are a hub for our community, a place where volunteers can grow and groups can meet alongside the supply of healthy food and ethical goods. The Storehouse is founded on 3 guiding values:

1. Good Food: Sourcing healthy, local, and seasonal food and trading fairly. We believe that producers and makers should be able to make a good living.

2. Good for People: Our volunteers are the heart of the Storehouse. The shop and cafe are run by a team of sessional staff and volunteers. Both are invested in through our training, gaining new skills, and given space to learn.

3. A place of Community: At the centre of our work is our community, for whom we provide a safe, comfortable, and welcoming space to meet, explore and form networks within our communities of Penicuik, Bilston and Roslin.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a varied and interesting role that supports the daily running of the Storehouse and its governance by Penicuik Community Alliance (PCA). You will be both a friendly face for volunteers and knowledgeable about the behind-the scenes systems that keep the organisation running smoothly.

A significant part of your time will be spent maintaining and developing PCA’s administrative systems and storage of data, including information about community shares, HR and governance. Other behind the scenes tasks will include the creation of publicity materials and social media content, as well as occasionally editing and updating the Storehouse website. You will help maintain good digital communications with customers and community members, responding to enquiries via email and other messaging platforms.

You will work closely with the Retail and Cafe Managers and the Fresh Produce Coordinator, and between you you will cover the shop supervisor duties, allowing the Storehouse to be open seven days a week. You will gain a good working knowledge of stock, the till back-office software and other shop systems. This will in turn help you to train and support our volunteers who are crucial to the running of the shop and cafe, both front-of-house and in the kitchen.

The Storehouse volunteers are valued members of our community and vital to keeping the shop and cafe open. To this end, you will help to recruit and train volunteers, manage the rota to cover absences and ensure that volunteers feel welcome and well-informed. Volunteers learn new skills as they go along, but you may also organise dedicated development evenings and produce training materials to support them.

A full Job Description is available for download below.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team as part of the Penicuik Storehouse social enterprise, building the success of our community owned shop, café and community space in Penicuik High Street and supporting the hard work of our volunteers. We’re looking for someone who’s excited by an opportunity to work with and support a mixed group of volunteers, and sessional paid staff creating delicious, healthy food and vibrant community hotspot. You will have experience of customer service and working in a food service environment, and critically you’ll be a flexible and solid team player.

About the Storehouse

The Penicuik Storehouse, its cafe and other projects are overseen by the Shareholders of the Penicuik Community Alliance, a Community Benefit Society. As a social enterprise we have set ourselves the mission to bring people together and make our community more resilient.

In our shop we stock fresh produce, groceries, household products and toiletries that are local, environmentally friendly, organic, or fair trade to help enable people to live a healthier and more sustainable life.

However, we are much more than just a shop: We run a small community cafe and production kitchen, and we provide space for community groups , workshops and events. We are proud to work together with a variety of other community projects and charities.

A full Job Description is available for download below.