At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a passionate team providing excellent service to customers and communities.
- Company: Be part of the UK's largest independent co-operative Society.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts, and paid volunteering days.
- Other info: Flexible hours available, perfect for students looking to balance work and study.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable skills.
- Qualifications: No experience needed, just a friendly attitude and willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
What will you be doing? If you're interested in being part of a passionate, motivated team dedicated to providing excellent service to our customers, members, and communities, keep reading! We’re looking for enthusiastic people who want to make a difference by helping our communities and customers when they need us most. As part of a multi-skilled team, you will cover different and diverse tasks in a fast-paced and active environment. You’ll support the daily running of the store, working on:
- Checkouts
- The shop floor
- House-keeping
- Date code checking
- Temperature checks
- Administration
- In-store bakery
You’ll promote the benefits of membership to customers, helping people to join us and have a say in how we are run. Each day offers new experiences and chances to impact and improve the lives of those around you.
How will I know if I am right for this role? If you have flexibility in your working hours (including availability on evenings and weekends) our stores can offer you a wide variety of shifts. You’ll have a chance to work alongside the whole in‑store team, passionate about delivering exceptional service every day, making sure we are there when our customers need us. You don’t need prior experience, you just need to show pride in your appearance and actions, be willing to learn, and have a desire to do and be your best. A warm and friendly character, you will love talking and listening to our customers, you’ll actively play a part in the community spirit of the store and become a valued member of the Society. We can assist you with building skills that can take you wherever you want to go, helping you to achieve your goals. With the training, coaching and guidance offered to you, opportunity to progress is in your hands. Everyone is welcome! We’re happy to make reasonable adjustments so that all our candidates can show us how they’ll perform their role. There is a section in the application form where you can provide any additional information. Please use this section to include any reasonable adjustments you need, and we’ll do our best to support you through our recruitment process.
What benefits are available to you? In addition to our competitive salaries, our colleagues also benefit from:
- Fantastic colleague discount – Reward ££’s and discounts across our Retail and Funeral businesses.
- Retail discounts – our hub offers colleagues access to hundreds of exclusive retail discounts, savings on days out and holiday discounts.
- Colleague Dividend – We pay a share of our profits to eligible colleagues as a thank you for their contribution to our success.
- Colleague recognition – we celebrate our colleague’s achievements both personally and professionally.
- Personalised learning and development – with easy access to a wide range of training programmes.
- Paid time for volunteering – we encourage our colleagues to spend three days per year taking part in volunteering, fully paid for by us.
- Enhanced family friendly policies – to help you feel fully supported during any significant life events.
- Wellbeing Annual health check kit and virtual GP – Finger prick blood test kit, that is sent to Square Healthcare for your personal healthcare report, and access to a virtual GP 7 days a week 8am to 8pm for you and your family.
- Colleague assistance programme – to support you and your family when you need it the most.
- Healthcare Cashplan – your wellbeing is important, so you’ve got the opportunity to contribute into a voluntary plan that helps pay towards a range of healthcare expenses.
- Company sick pay – We offer company sick pay to colleagues so that you can focus on getting better and returning to work in full health.
- Life Assurance – after an initial qualifying period, you’ll get free life assurance cover, that pays your nominated beneficiary if you die while you’re working for us.
- We’ve got you – our colleague wellbeing campaign, making wellbeing benefits and resources accessible and relevant to the role that you do.
- Give as you earn – helping you support charities which mean something to you.
- Financial Wellbeing iTrent Financial Wellbeing (Wagestream) – offers something for all our colleagues, whether you want to track your finances, save some money, or access up to 50% of your earned pay flexibly in a way that suits you.
- The Money Co‑op – Free access to support all aspects of your financial wellbeing, such as savings and loans at competitive rates.
- Salary Sacrifice schemes:
- Electric Vehicle scheme – Option to purchase your EV through salary sacrifice
- Share Incentive Plan (SIP) – option to buy shares within the Society, where they will attract interest and £10 worth of matching shares.
- Cycle to Work scheme – Option to purchase your bicycle and accessories through salary sacrifice
- Holiday buy – colleagues can buy up to a week extra of annual leave each year
- Company Pension – you can access a company pension scheme with us as well as access to Pension wellbeing information.
- Nous – smart assistant that can save you money and time on managing your household bills.
To find out more about all of these plus many more reasons to join us, please visit Rewards and benefits – Central Coop.
Who are we? OurCoop is the UK’s largest independent co‑operative Society, with more than one million Members and 13,000 colleagues operating in communities nationwide. It was formed by bringing together Central Co‑op, The Midcounties Co‑operative and Chelmsford Star Co‑op to create a stronger, member‑owned organisation rooted in shared co‑operative values. The Society trades nationally through its family of businesses while remaining deeply rooted in local communities. Its footprint spans Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire in the South and West; the Midlands including Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire; the North including Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire; and the East of England, including Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. OurCoop and its family of businesses are trading names of Central England Co‑operative Limited.
Customer Services Assistant — Flexible Hours & Community Impact in Cambridge employer: Central England Coop
OurCoop is an exceptional employer that prioritises community impact and employee development, offering flexible hours to fit your lifestyle. With a strong focus on wellbeing, competitive salaries, and a range of benefits including discounts, paid volunteering, and personalised training, you will thrive in a supportive and dynamic work culture. Join us to make a meaningful difference while enjoying opportunities for growth and recognition in a vibrant team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Services Assistant — Flexible Hours & Community Impact in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on OurCoop. Understand their values and community impact. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your passion for customer service and community involvement.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your personality! During the interview, let your warm and friendly character shine through. Share personal stories that highlight your ability to connect with customers and contribute to the community spirit.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and keen to join the team. Don’t forget to mention any flexibility in your hours – they love that!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Services Assistant — Flexible Hours & Community Impact in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm:When you're writing your application, let your passion shine through! We want to see that you’re excited about the role and ready to make a difference in our communities.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for. Mention any relevant experiences that show you can handle the diverse tasks we have on offer.
Be Yourself:We love authenticity! Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. A warm and friendly tone will resonate well with us and reflect the character we value in our team.
Use the Additional Information Section:If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, don’t hesitate to mention them in the application. We’re here to support you, so let us know how we can help!
How to prepare for a job interview at Central England Coop
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand what a Customer Services Assistant does. Familiarise yourself with the tasks mentioned in the job description, like working on checkouts and supporting the shop floor. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Your Community Spirit
Since this role is all about making a difference in the community, think of examples where you've contributed positively to your community or helped others. Be ready to share these stories during your interview to demonstrate your passion for community service and customer care.
✨Flexibility is Key
The job requires flexibility in working hours, so be prepared to discuss your availability. Highlight your willingness to work evenings and weekends, as this shows that you're committed and ready to meet the needs of the store and its customers.
✨Dress to Impress
First impressions matter! Make sure you present yourself well by dressing appropriately for the interview. A neat appearance reflects pride in your actions, which is something the company values. It sets a positive tone right from the start!