At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide excellent customer service and support fundraising events in a vibrant retail environment.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible leave, discounts, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 25000 € per year.
Millions of bargain-hunters. Endless pre-loved items. One meaningful purpose.
£12.71 per hour + benefits
Reports to: Shop manager
Department: Trading
Location: Plymouth shop (Cornwall St)
Contract: Permanent
Working hours: Part time 7.5 hours per week
Closing date: External: 31st May 2026 23:55 Internal: In line with organisational policy this role will remain open for internal applications until: 31st May 2026 23:55
The internal title for this role is Shop Assistant.
Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.
We’re looking for a motivated store assistant to join Cancer Research UK’s trading team. You’ll be acting as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK. Your shop will be a place where your community gets to meet our people, understand our brand, and see some of the great things we do. You’ll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.
What will I be doing?
- Providing excellent customer and supporter service.
- Working as an integral part of the shop team to achieve ambitious sales and fundraising targets.
- Assisting with maintaining shop standards including visual presentation, safeguarding compliance and health and safety.
- Creating relationships with your local community and Cancer Research UK colleagues.
- Supporting fundraising events for your store to achieve fundraising targets.
- Taking keyholder responsibility (training provided).
- There will be a varied amount of manual handling and physical activity within the day-to-day duties of the role.
What are you looking for?
- An understanding of what makes great customer service.
- Experience of working in a busy customer service environment.
- The ability to manage your own workload and work independently.
- The ability to work well in a team.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Flexibility; our retail teams cover the needs of their stores by working on a rota basis.
What will I gain?
We make sure you are supported by a generous salary and benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well. Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more. Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team. Our retail teams also have access to confidential wellbeing support from the Retail Trust.
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively. Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment for this role will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.
For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.
Retail Store Assistant (Plymouth shop (Cornwall St) employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment where our Retail Store Assistants can thrive. Located in the vibrant community of Plymouth, our team enjoys a generous salary and benefits package, including flexible leave allowances and discounts, all while contributing to a meaningful cause that aims to beat cancer. With ample opportunities for personal and professional development, you'll be part of a dedicated team that values your contributions and fosters a culture of inclusivity and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Store Assistant (Plymouth shop (Cornwall St)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the shop and its community! Before your interview, pop into the store, chat with the team, and understand what makes it tick. This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you connect with the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you’ve gone above and beyond for a customer. Be ready to share these stories during your interview to showcase your passion for great service.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork spirit! Retail is all about collaboration, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked well in a team before. Highlight any fundraising events or community projects you’ve been part of to demonstrate your commitment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our amazing benefits package right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Store Assistant (Plymouth shop (Cornwall St)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're filling out your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about helping us beat cancer and making a difference in the community.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in customer service or retail. We love seeing how your past roles can contribute to our mission, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your answers are easy to read and understand. This helps us get a quick grasp of who you are and what you bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to understand Cancer Research UK's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work in beating cancer and how the retail store contributes to this cause. This will help you demonstrate your passion for the role and align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your customer service skills. Think of specific situations where you went above and beyond for a customer or resolved a challenging issue. This will show that you understand what great customer service looks like and that you're ready to provide it.
✨Team Player Attitude
Since you'll be working as part of a team, be ready to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share examples of how you've contributed to team success in previous roles. Emphasising your ability to work well with colleagues will reassure them that you can fit into their shop environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, upcoming fundraising events, or how they measure success in the shop. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.