At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist customers via phone, email, and chat, resolving queries and complaints.
- Company: Join Barbour's dynamic Customer Services team during our busiest period.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, staff discounts, healthcare plan, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Temporary role until February 2027 with opportunities for career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in customer experiences while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service and excellent communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 26000 £ per year.
Position Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for Temporary Customer Service Operators to join our Customer Services team on a temporary basis, covering our busiest period.
You will deliver agreed levels of customer service to all consumers that may contact Barbour, using excellent communication skills (telephone, email and chat) and strong IT literacy to ensure clear, concise and relevant information is communicated.
This role includes liaising with consumers by phone, email and chat, helping those who have general enquiries about products, assisting those who need help using the online ordering system and dealing with any returns, service returns or complaints.
As Customer Service Operator, you will liaise with Barbour customers regarding their trade faulty returns, producing return authorisation documentation and general aftersales advice to Barbour customers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Process telephone enquiries and correspondence within specified time limits at all times ensuring the highest of communication standards (polite, courteous, efficient and friendly).
- Provide an appropriate response to all consumers and customers who may have a complaint or enquiry and be able to resolve is satisfactorily.
- Query returns with consumers and customers under the direction of UK Customer Service Supervisor.
- Maintain accurate records of all communications with consumers and customers.
- Prepare quotations on a daily basis and within specified timescales relating to garments returned for servicing taking action as required.
- Assist in the administrative activities required to run the office efficiently ensuring maintenance of office documents.
- Constantly look for opportunities to develop product knowledge and customer service skills, to share them with the team and be able to advise consumers and customers leading to an increased level of service.
- Able to build relationships with third-party suppliers and liaise to meet and exceed, where applicable, our customers' expectations.
- Contribute information to be shared internally with regards to website issues, stock, quality issues and service issues.
- Able to build rapport with Barbour customers considering business relationships and SLA's agreed between Barbour and customers.
The ability to work to agreed SLA's and striving to exceed these, where possible.
- Able to execute a high level of attention to detail to be able to complete trade faulty authorisation forms, export / import documentation and quotation for service queries.
- Work with Barbour Partner's to deliver and maintain an excellent customer service within markets outside of the UK.
Assist with requests from Barbour Partner's within agreed timelines.
- Apply high attention to detail to order management of various channels including ecommerce orders and dropship orders.
Skills and Experience
- Proven track record spent within a customer service environment working with a team of staff is ideal.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to deal with and resolve customer complaints.
- Proactive in seeking improvements in process / methods of operating.
- High attention to detail.
- Ability to work and deliver to tight deadlines, availability requests and product quality.
Additional Information
- You will be contracted to 37.5 hours per week, working 5 shifts per week. Shifts generally fall Monday - Friday, however some weekend working will be required.
- This role will be on a temporary basis until end of February 2027.
- This role will be based at our Bedesway Distribution Centre, located in South Shields.
Benefits
- Discretionary Company bonus scheme
- Staff Discount
- Staff Shop
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata'd to contract length)
- Access to training and development activities to support your career development
- 4pm finish on a Friday
- Wellbeing support
- Refer a friend bonus scheme
- Reward & Recognition Program
- Length of service rewards
Note
In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date.
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Customer Service Operators employer: J Barbour And Sons
Barbour is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Bicester where teamwork and customer service are paramount. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to training opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages growth and well-being. Enjoy competitive benefits including a generous holiday allowance, healthcare cash plan, and staff discounts, making it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service Operators
✨Get Social with Customer Support Communities
Join customer support groups on platforms like Facebook or Reddit. They often share job openings or temp opportunities. Engaging with these communities can help you learn more about the specific skills and experiences employers are looking for, plus you'll meet folks who might know about openings at companies like J Barbour And Sons.
✨Leverage Seasonal Hiring Trends
Since customer support roles can spike during busy seasons (think holidays and sales periods), keep an eye out for timelines when companies ramp up hiring. Make sure to apply early and stay active; sending a quick follow-up a week after applying can show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Flex Your Communication Skills
In customer support, communication is key! Prepare for hypothetical scenarios that test your problem-solving and customer interaction skills. Practising answers to common role-play questions can really help you shine in interviews—trust us, it makes a difference!
✨Make the Most of Job Boards
Use industry-specific job boards like Glassdoor or Indeed to find temporary roles. Don’t forget to set up alerts for customer support positions at companies like J Barbour And Sons. The earlier you apply, the better your chances, so keep your finger on the pulse!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service Operators
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Communication Skills:In customer support, top-notch communication is key. Make sure your CV showcases any previous experience where you’ve had to clearly convey information or resolve issues. If you’ve handled customer queries via email or chat, mention it! Let’s see those strong verbal and written skills shine through.
Showcase Problem-Solving Experience:Employers love to see how you've handled tricky situations. Include examples in your application where you’ve tackled customer concerns or had to think on your feet. It's all about proving you can keep cool under pressure and find solutions—something super important in a temporary customer support role!
Tailor Your Approach for Temporary Roles:Since this is a temporary gig, make sure your cover letter emphasises your flexibility and eagerness to dive right in. Mention that you're ready to hit the ground running and are adaptable to new tools or systems—this shows that you understand the urgency often needed in temporary positions.
Proof of Customer Satisfaction:If you’ve got any quantifiable achievements from past customer support roles, like improved customer satisfaction scores or successful project completions, make sure to include them. Numbers speak volumes! This not only shows your capability but also gives us a reason to believe you'll bring that same success to J Barbour And Sons.
How to prepare for a job interview at J Barbour And Sons
✨Master the Customer Interaction Game
In customer support, we need to showcase our people skills. Prepare for role-playing scenarios where you'll demonstrate how to handle difficult customers or resolve complaints. Think about the types of issues common in J Barbour And Sons's industry and how you can respond empathetically and effectively!
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
For a temporary role, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the products or services J Barbour And Sons offers. Brush up on key features, common issues, and FAQs. This knowledge will enable you to respond quickly and confidently to customer queries, showing you’re ready to jump in at a moment’s notice!
✨Flexibility is Key - Emphasise Your Adaptability!
Since this is a temporary role, we're looking to convey how quickly we can adapt to new systems or processes. Be ready to share examples of how you've quickly learned new tools or adjusted to changing environments in past roles. Show them you're the go-to person when the pressure's on!
✨Prepare for Quick Conversational Q&A
You might face a rapid-fire round of questions about customer service principles or how you'd handle specific situations. To ace this, think through different customer scenarios ahead of time, and practice your responses to ensure they're concise and impactful. The aim is to demonstrate your quick thinking and problem-solving skills!
