Retail Assistant - Hanley in Stafford

Part-time, 6 hours per week

Salary: £3,976.64 actual per annum, (£24,854 per annum Full time equivalent)

Must be fully flexible over 7 days to include working during our busiest trading days Saturday and/or Sunday up to 15 hours per week.

Are you a highly motivated, dynamic, retail focused individual with a strong flair for fashion and merchandising?

About us

We are Katharine House Hospice, and we’re dedicated to providing compassionate care to people in our community affected by progressive illnesses. Everyone here plays an integral role in making this possible. We value people – so much so, it’s one of our three key values as a charity.

The role

As our Retail Assistant, you'll play a vital role in supporting the whole team, who in turn support the whole charity. You will be helping us to deliver first class customer service and maintain shop standards ensuring consistently high standards in the services we offer and how the shop looks.

This is a physically demanding position working in a very busy large charity retail superstore, which will include lifting and carrying bags, boxes and items of furniture on a daily basis.

What we offer

• Annual leave: 33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after five and 10 years’ service.
• We match contributions up to 7% to an Aegon scheme. If you’re currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so.
• Reassurance should the worst happen: 2 x salary to your family.
• Employee assistance programme providing support for your wellbeing.
• Training and development opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
• Occupational sick pay support during times of illness.
• Healthcare cash benefit plan contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses.
• Free parking.

Skills and experience

We’re looking for someone who is professional and approachable and has:

• Experience or an interest in retail.
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude.

Join us and make a difference. If you’re passionate about people and want to contribute to a mission that matters, we’d love to hear from you. Help us continue to provide exceptional care and support to those who need it most.

If you’d like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact the HR Department on 01785 218257.

Closing date: 4th September 2026, however may close earlier if over subscribed.

Mission

“We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we support those close to them.”

Purpose and impact

Katharine House Hospice provides all its services free of charge to patients and their families. In order to do this funds need to be raised, Katharine House Retail is key to this, maximising the funds it can raise through the sale of donated items and other merchandising.

Part of the team

To assist the manager in the running of the retail store ensuring its success in meeting all company objectives, in accordance with company policies and procedures.

Function and Responsibilities

Specific Objectives: As Sales Assistant you will help us to deliver first class customer service and maintain shop standards. You will ensure consistently high standards in the services we offer and how the shop looks.

This dynamic environment changes every day and the list of duties will be varied, no one day is the same. You can be expected to work between the shop floor and workroom ensuring stock rotation is met. A wide variety of stock is processed through the store including items of furniture, electrical goods, bric-a-brac and books and clothing.

The post holder will ensure they comply with Katharine House policies and procedures.

Core Responsibilities:

• Ensuring the highest standards of customer service at all times, reporting any customer complaints to the Line Manager.
• Keeping up to date with special promotions and putting up displays as directed by the Store Manager.
• Greeting customers who enter the shop.
• Reporting discrepancies and problems to the Duty Manager of the day.
• Being responsible for processing cash and card payments.
• Assisting shoppers to find the goods and products they are looking for.
• Actively encourage Gift Aid donations, managing the process within the store.
• Receiving and storing the delivery of stock, this will include items of furniture.
• Stocking shelves with merchandise.
• Maintain a high standard of presentation throughout.
• Achieve and maintain high standards of housekeeping, organisation and cleanliness throughout the shop premises.
• Actively encourage the public to donate saleable stock.
• Ensure there is adequate flow of stock from the stockroom to the shop floor, and a continual availability of stock on key lines at all times.
• To sort, grade, steam, and ticket merchandise.
• This role will demand moving a lot of stock on a daily basis, including heavy items.

Administration and Security:

• Ensure all relevant administration/ operational systems are completed on time.
• Undertake banking in accordance with Katharine House procedures ensuring that cash handling and security procedures are adhered to.
• Notify the Line Manager or Area Manager in the event of a suspected theft or dishonesty by any member of staff or volunteer.
• Responsible for security within the store and being on the lookout for shoplifters and fraudulent credit cards etc.

Health and Safety:

• Provide a safe environment for staff, volunteers and the public.
• Comply with Health and Safety in line with the organisation’s H&S Policy and Procedures, this includes the safe use of equipment, reporting of accidents and incidents and wearing of identified Personal Protective Equipment.

Other Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Travel to other organisational premises as and when required, for example to attend training courses or meetings.
• Supporting other Katharine House retail stores on an occasional basis.
• Any other duties as required.

Key Competencies and Skills Requirements:

Qualifications: None

Experience: Retail background - Desirable; Flexible approach to work - Essential; Working/volunteering in the charitable sector - Desirable.

Skills and Attributes: Able to communicate with others - Essential; Able to liaise effectively - Essential; Able to multi-task - Essential; Able to work to deadlines - Essential; Self-motivated - Essential.

Other: Good interpersonal skills - Essential; Pride in your work - Essential; Own transport - Desirable.

Company Overview

Katharine House Hospice’s aim is to enable people with incurable illnesses to live life as fully as possible and make the most of the time that they have, as well as supporting their loved ones. Our care is free and provided where and when it is needed most – in the community, at home, or at our hospice.