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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in the cafe and shop, providing excellent customer service and maintaining high hygiene standards.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, part of the John Lewis Partnership.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours and a supportive work-life balance in a beautiful rural setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values kindness, respect, and personal growth while serving food lovers.
- Qualifications: Excellent customer service skills; Level 2 Food Safety in Catering is a plus.
- Other info: Apply quickly as roles may close early due to high demand.
About The Role
The Leckford Estate was purchased by John Spedan Lewis in 1928 as his private estate, converted into a limited company in 1929 and is now part of the John Lewis Partnership. In August 2001 the Leckford Estate became part of Waitrose & Partners, providing a real focus for it to produce food for the Partnership's food stores under the Leckford brand. Located in the heart of rural Hampshire, Leckford Estate is an area of outstanding beauty and only 25 minutes from the New Forest. Join us and you’ll enjoy a remarkable and unrivalled working environment and setting.
At a glance
- Salary - £11.44 - £12.00 hourly rate
- Contract type - Permanent
- Hours of work - 15 hours per week, working Saturday 09:00 - 17:30 & Sunday 09:30-17:00
About the role
As a Farm Shop Assistant you will have high standards of customer service and will be required to work as part of the team and be organised in your duties to meet the needs of the busy Farm Shop & Cafe. Some of your key responsibilities will include:
- This role will primarily be in the cafe, food handling and preparation with high standards of service and hygiene expected.
- As a selling assistant in the shop, you will engage with customers, replenish stock, maintain housekeeping, and operate the tills to provide an enhanced all-round experience.
- In both aspects of the role, you are expected to represent the Waitrose brand and uphold our amazing customer service reputation.
- Housekeeping also forms part of this role, so good cleaning and display skills are required.
- When working in the cafe, you will comply with all specific food safety legislation, procedures, and standards.
- Support for the running of events may also be required.
Key Responsibilities
- Engaging with our customers with brilliant customer service.
- Ensuring all stock is replenished and maintaining shop standards for a pleasant customer experience.
- Supporting in all areas of the Farm Shop, including processing transactions in a timely manner.
- Minimising food wastage by demonstrating great care and due diligence when rotating stock.
- When working in the cafe, complying with all food safety legislation, procedures, and standards.
- Supporting the running of events for our customers when needed.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need:
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Ability to work as a team.
Desirable skills/experience you may have:
- Level 2 Food Safety in Catering Certificate.
- Experience in food preparation in a retail environment.
Important points to note:
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Farm Shop Cafe Assistant employer: John Lewis Partnership
Contact Detail:
John Lewis Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Farm Shop Cafe Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Waitrose brand and its values. Understanding their commitment to customer service and quality will help you align your approach during any interactions with the team or customers.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience in food preparation or customer service when networking. Engaging with current employees on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights into the role and may even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you handle busy environments and maintain high standards of hygiene and service. Think of specific examples from past roles that demonstrate your ability to thrive under pressure.
✨Tip Number 4
If you have a Level 2 Food Safety in Catering Certificate, make sure to mention it during your conversations. If not, consider taking a short course to boost your qualifications and show your commitment to food safety.
We think you need these skills to ace Farm Shop Cafe Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Farm Shop Cafe Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Highlight Customer Service Skills: Since excellent customer service is essential for this role, make sure to provide specific examples in your CV or cover letter that demonstrate your ability to engage with customers and provide a positive experience.
Showcase Teamwork Experience: The role requires working as part of a team, so include any relevant experiences where you successfully collaborated with others. This could be from previous jobs, volunteer work, or group projects.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-written application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are important in the hospitality industry.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis Partnership
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
As a Farm Shop Cafe Assistant, excellent customer service is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've provided outstanding service in previous roles. Highlight your ability to engage with customers and create a welcoming atmosphere.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
This role requires working as part of a team, so be ready to discuss your experience collaborating with others. Share specific instances where you contributed to a team's success or helped resolve conflicts.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Food Safety Standards
Since the role involves food handling and preparation, it's beneficial to have knowledge of food safety legislation. If you have a Level 2 Food Safety in Catering Certificate, mention it. If not, express your willingness to learn and comply with these standards.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
You may be asked to demonstrate your skills in a practical setting during the interview. Be ready to showcase your ability to handle food, operate tills, or manage stock replenishment. Practising these tasks beforehand can help you feel more confident.
