At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide friendly service, manage orders, and maintain cleanliness in our vibrant café.
- Company: Join the Royal Voluntary Service, a community-focused organisation making a difference.
- Benefits: Earn £12.71 per hour, enjoy flexible hours, and gain valuable experience.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with potential for overtime during busy periods.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team while helping your community thrive.
- Qualifications: Customer service skills and a positive attitude are essential; training provided.
The predicted salary is between 23136 - 23136 £ per year.
Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for 2x Retail Customer Assistants to join our team at Royal Voluntary Service Cafe Wigmore Valley Park, 66 Eaton Green Road, Luton, LU2 9JB. You will join us on a part-time, fixed-term contract basis until 30/09/2026 (contract end date may be subject to change) and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £12.71 per hour (FTE £23,136 per annum) from 1st April 2026.
About the Retail Customer Assistant role:
Royal Voluntary Service cafes are part of the fabric of the community and a real asset in their own right. Staffed by employees and volunteers, we provide an outstanding range of beverages and healthy food choices. Our customers love the fact that the money they spend with us pays for volunteer action in hospitals and the community. Working alongside a friendly team of employees and volunteers, you will participate in the day-to-day running of our busy Cafe at Wigmore Valley Park Cafe.
In this role, you will be responsible for:
- Providing friendly, helpful and efficient service at all times
- Welcoming customers, informing them about specials or new products, answering questions and accepting orders and payments
- Operating the till and cashing up
- Maintaining a high level of cleanliness complying with Health and Safety and food hygiene standards and ensuring all areas of the site remain tidy
- Ensuring that all stock and displays are replenished regularly and ordering supplies if required
Hours: 21 hours per week, working flexible on Monday to Wednesday 8.30am - 4:00pm, note this will include Bank holidays. Please note opening hours may be extended to 6pm and working hours subject to change. There may also be opportunities for paid overtime in busy periods or to cover absence.
What you'll bring as our Retail Customer Assistant:
Working in a Royal Voluntary Service Cafe requires a special kind of customer service. Your ability to communicate with a variety of people in a friendly and cheerful way will make a real difference to someone’s day. The key is to adapt your approach to each person to ensure their needs are met.
This is what we're looking for:
- Previous experience in a retail or cafe environment would be an advantage, but training will be given - just make sure you have a positive attitude and can-do mindset along with a willingness to work and we’ll teach you the rest
- The ability to deliver outstanding customer service
- Excellent communications skills
- Demonstrates a high level of organisational skills
- Familiarity with email and internet is required
- A flexible approach towards working hours
- Enjoying working within a passionate team of employees and volunteers, as well as working on your own on occasions
- Can demonstrate a proficient level of literacy and numeracy
- Knowledge of EPOS / till systems would be advantageous
- Knowledge and experience of general administrative processes
- A willingness to undertake training and continuing professional development
Retail Customer Assistant at Wigmore Valley Park employer: Royal Voluntary Service
Royal Voluntary Service is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and community-focused work environment at our Cafe in Wigmore Valley Park. Employees enjoy competitive pay, flexible working hours, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful volunteer actions that benefit local hospitals and communities. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and personal development, we provide a unique chance for growth while making a positive impact on people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Customer Assistant at Wigmore Valley Park
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Royal Voluntary Service and their cafes. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since this role is all about providing outstanding service, think of examples from your past experiences where you've gone above and beyond for a customer. Be ready to share these stories during your chat with them.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! When you go for your interview, make sure you look smart and presentable. First impressions matter, and showing that you care about your appearance reflects your attitude towards the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We encourage you to submit your application directly on our site. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people and shows that you’re keen to join our team at Wigmore Valley Park.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Customer Assistant at Wigmore Valley Park
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to express your enthusiasm for the role and how you connect with our community-focused mission.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in retail or cafes. Even if it’s not directly related, share how your skills can contribute to providing outstanding customer service at our cafe.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Voluntary Service
✨Know the Café Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with Royal Voluntary Service and their café offerings. Understand their mission and how they contribute to the community. This knowledge will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you provided excellent customer service. Think about times when you went above and beyond for a customer or handled a difficult situation. This will demonstrate your ability to adapt your approach to meet different customer needs.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your organisational skills and ability to work in a team. You might be asked how you would handle busy periods or maintain cleanliness standards. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thoughts clearly during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Team Spirit
Since you'll be working alongside both employees and volunteers, highlight your ability to collaborate effectively. Share experiences where teamwork led to success, and express your enthusiasm for being part of a passionate team dedicated to serving the community.
