At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide excellent customer service and support fundraising events in a vibrant retail environment.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a passionate team 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 and career growth potential.
- 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 12 - 12 € per hour.
Millions of bargain-hunters. Endless pre-loved items. One meaningful purpose.
Reports to: Shop manager
Department: Trading
Location: Newton Abbott (Queen St) shop
Contract: Fixed-term contract until 9th January 2027
Working hours: Part time 21 hours per week (Weekends & one weekday)
Closing date: External: 19th May 2026 23:55 Internal: In line with organisational policy this role will remain open for internal applications until: 24th May 2026 23:55
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 as required (training provided).
- There will be a varied amount of manual handling and physical activity required 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 when required.
- 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.
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 Weekend Sales Assistant employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment where our Retail Weekend Sales Assistants can thrive. Located in the heart of Newton Abbott, our team is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer, while enjoying a generous benefits package, flexible working hours, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. Join us and be part of a passionate community 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 Weekend Sales Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Cancer Research UK and understand their mission. This will help you connect with the team during your interview and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you provided excellent service. Be ready to share these stories during your interview to demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network, network, network! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips about the interview process and what it’s like to work at Cancer Research UK.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job openings and updates directly from us.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Weekend Sales Assistant
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 CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in customer service. We love seeing how your past roles have prepared you for this position, 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 skills and experiences are easy to read and understand. No need for fluff!
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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Purpose
Before the interview, take some time to understand Cancer Research UK's mission and values. Being able to articulate why you want to work for a charity that fights cancer will show your passion and commitment, which is crucial for this role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you provided excellent customer service. Think about how you handled difficult situations or went above and beyond for customers. This will demonstrate your understanding of what makes great service, which is key for a Retail Weekend Sales Assistant.
✨Teamwork is Key
Since you'll be working as part of a shop team, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share specific instances where you contributed to a team's success or helped resolve conflicts, highlighting your ability to work well with others.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle various scenarios in the shop, such as maintaining shop standards or supporting fundraising events. Think through these situations beforehand and prepare your responses to show that you're proactive and solution-oriented.
