At a Glance
- Tasks: Support our shop team, assist customers, and manage stock in a vibrant retail environment.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a charity dedicated to helping pets and their owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, health support, and discounts on pet insurance.
- Why this job: Make a difference in your community while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and customer service skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible zero-hours contract with opportunities for personal development.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 Β£ per hour.
Charity shops are the in-place to shop and in 2026 and we want you to join us at our store in Fleet, Hampshire! By joining our team, you will be a part of establishing this shop within the local community and keeping people and their pets at the heart of everything that we do.
Role and Contract
- Position: Standby Shop Assistant (internally known as Standby Shop Cover Supervisor). This is a zero-hours contract.
- Location: Fleet, Hampshire.
- Application deadline: 8 February 2026.
- Closing date: Sunday 8 February 2026.
- Interview dates: 11β12 February 2026.
- Salary: Β£13.69 per hour total (including holiday pay). Base Real Living Wage is Β£12.21 per hour, with the total rate reflecting additional elements.
What you will do (Responsibilities)
- Provide essential support to instore teams to help keep the shop running smoothly.
- Assist with customer service, stock management, and general shop duties.
- Help maintain high standards of service and presentation during shop hours (Monday to Saturday, 09:00β17:00).
- Work alongside a dedicated team of staff and volunteers in a flexible and impactful role.
About you (Qualifications and experience)
- Previous experience working in a retail environment.
- Proficient in cash handling and reconciliation.
- Supervisory experience.
- Thrives in a customer-facing environment.
- Computer literacy and administration skills.
- Experience managing volunteers is a plus.
How to apply
Click the apply button and complete the online application before the closing date. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews arranged accordingly. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive an overwhelming response.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. Our generous benefits package includes:
- Full-time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Wellbeing support programmes
- Free access to GP via MetLife 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family-friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the "why work for us" page on our website.
Retail Cover Supervisor (Zero Hours) - Fleet employer: Blue Cross UK
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Retail Cover Supervisor (Zero Hours) - Fleet
β¨Tip Number 1
Get to know the charity shop scene in Fleet! Familiarise yourself with what makes our store unique and how we serve the community. This will help you stand out during interviews and show your genuine interest.
β¨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since this role is all about interacting with customers, think of scenarios where you can demonstrate your ability to handle queries and provide excellent service. Role-play with a friend if you need to!
β¨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your cash handling skills. Make sure you're comfortable with basic transactions and reconciliations, as these are key parts of the job. If you have any experience managing volunteers, be ready to share those stories too!
β¨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, keep an eye on the interview dates so you can prepare and shine when itβs your turn to impress us!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Cover Supervisor (Zero Hours) - Fleet
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion for Retail: When you're writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for retail! Share any experiences you've had in shops or customer service roles, and how theyβve shaped your love for helping customers.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Retail Cover Supervisor role. Highlight relevant skills like cash handling and supervisory experience, and donβt forget to mention your ability to work with a team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why youβd be a great fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website: Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youβre considered for the role. Plus, itβs super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross UK
β¨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Standby Shop Cover Supervisor. Familiarise yourself with customer service expectations, stock management, and how to support both staff and volunteers. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
β¨Showcase Your Retail Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous retail experience, especially any supervisory roles you've held. Think of specific examples where you excelled in customer service or managed a team. This will demonstrate your capability to thrive in a customer-facing environment, which is crucial for this position.
β¨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the shop's community involvement or how they support their volunteers. This shows that youβre not just looking for any job, but that youβre keen on contributing positively to their mission.
β¨Practice Cash Handling Scenarios
Since cash handling is part of the job, brush up on your skills and be prepared to discuss your experience with cash reconciliation. You might even want to practice explaining how you would handle a cash discrepancy, as this could come up during the interview.