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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exceptional customer service and keep the café running smoothly during busy times.
- Company: Join the vibrant M&S Café team at Oatlands Harrogate.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in a fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Be a brand ambassador and make a real impact on customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+ with a passion for great service and teamwork.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on learning and development.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 £ per hour.
Join our team in the M&S Café – the heart of our store and a place where customers come to recharge. This is a hands-on, high-pressure role for those who can handle pace, stay calm under pressure, and still deliver warm, five-star service. You will be a brand ambassador, making great food and drink recommendations while ensuring the café operates smoothly, even during the busiest periods.
Work Pattern
Week 1: Tuesday 08:00-18:00; Wednesday 08:00-18:00; Saturday 08:00-18:00. Week 2: Thursday 08:00-18:00; Friday 08:00-18:00; Saturday 08:00-18:00.
This job role involves working with specialist cutting equipment and this means we can’t consider applications from anyone under the age of 18. This is to comply with the relevant health and safety legislation and to keep our colleagues safe in the workplace.
Purpose
- To deliver a great shopping experience for customers, putting customers before task every time.
- Champion new ways of working within stores through an open mindset and positive attitude.
- Complete tasks and processes that deliver ‘best in town’ standards.
- Serve and sell across all channels brilliantly well.
- Be the voice of our customer to help us continually improve.
Key Accountabilities
- Serve our customers efficiently and brilliantly well – on the shop floor and at service points.
- Deliver ‘best in town’ standards through presentation standards, availability and keeping the store clean and tidy.
- Skilled to utilise all digital tools and communication channels to do the job.
- Share customer and colleague feedback to help us do things better.
- Share knowledge and experience with colleagues to support others in building skill and confidence.
- Own their own learning & development and proactively access digital learning solutions.
- Know the daily sales targets, priorities, promotions & selling opportunities.
- Have great product knowledge to sell and recommend our products and services.
- Proactively engage with customers to understand their needs and make recommendations.
- Understand the store priorities and their part to play.
- Complete tasks with pace and in line with SOPs.
- Minimise cost and waste through good process practice.
- Follow safe and legal working practices.
Key Capabilities
- Understands how M&S operates, its strategy, future and the role they play.
- Committed to delivering excellent work fast with great attention to detail.
- Open to and acts on feedback, asking for this regularly.
- Sets performance objectives for self in conjunction with line manager and in line with business plans.
- Takes accountability for planning and managing own work efficiently to ensure objectives are met.
- Is curious and asks questions to challenge the status quo.
- Effective at communicating their intentions to others; ensures communication is clear and simple.
- In control of their own reactions and considers how to share their perspective to create better reaction for team.
- Copes well with change and work challenges and recovers quickly from its impact.
- Builds positive relationships by being a good listener and getting to know people by establishing a connection.
Technical Skills/Experience
- Contributing to store sales and cost control.
- Work across the store to get things done right first time within timescales.
- Comprehensive knowledge of customer shopping channels.
- Good level of product knowledge and services across the store.
- Up to date knowledge of the commercial operation and brilliant basics.
- Good level of digital capability and use of digital tools and applications.
- Understand customer needs and spot selling opportunities.
- Adapting to change.
- Good Knowledge of VM principles.
Key Relationships and Stakeholders
- Customers
- Colleagues
- Store Leadership
Customer Assistant - Cafe - Oatlands Harrogate Simply Food employer: M&S
Contact Detail:
M&S Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Assistant - Cafe - Oatlands Harrogate Simply Food
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the café vibe! Before your interview, pop into the M&S Café and soak up the atmosphere. Chat with staff and customers to understand what makes the place tick. This will help you show genuine interest and knowledge during your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Role-play common scenarios you might face as a Customer Assistant. Think about how you'd handle busy periods or tricky customer requests. This will help you feel more confident and prepared when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your product knowledge! Familiarise yourself with M&S products and be ready to recommend them. During your interview, mention specific items you love and why they’re great. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you genuinely want to be part of the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and ready to embrace digital tools, which is key for this role. So, take the plunge and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Assistant - Cafe - Oatlands Harrogate Simply Food
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Customer Service: When writing your application, let us know how much you love helping customers. Share any experiences where you've gone the extra mile to make someone's day better. We want to see that you're all about delivering that five-star service!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences shine through without any fluff!
Highlight Your Team Spirit: This role is all about teamwork, so don’t forget to mention how you work well with others. Share examples of how you've collaborated in past roles or projects. We’re looking for someone who can build positive relationships with both customers and colleagues.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the job description. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match what we’re looking for. It shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at M&S
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on M&S's products and services. Being able to talk confidently about what the café offers will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Show Your Customer Service Skills
Think of examples from your past experiences where you've delivered excellent customer service. Be ready to share how you handled difficult situations or went above and beyond for a customer.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Since this role is high-pressure, prepare to discuss how you manage stress. You might even want to practice some scenarios where you had to think on your feet and keep a cool head.
✨Ask Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the café and its operations. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you.
