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- Tasks: Provide friendly service, manage orders, and maintain cleanliness in a vibrant café environment.
- Company: Join Royal Voluntary Service at Sunderland Royal Hospital, making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Earn £12.43 per hour, enjoy 26 days holiday, and access exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that impacts lives while developing your skills in a supportive setting.
- Qualifications: Retail or café experience is a plus, but a positive attitude and willingness to learn are key.
- Other info: Flexible hours, opportunities for career growth, and extensive training provided.
Overview
Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity for a Retail Customer Assistant at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, SR4 7TP. This is a part-time, permanent role with a salary of £12.43 per hour (FTE £22,638 per annum).
About the Role
Royal Voluntary Service hospital cafes, shops and trolleys are part of the NHS and a real asset in their own right. Staffed by employees and volunteers, we provide beverages and healthy food choices. Our customers know that the money they spend helps fund volunteer action in hospitals and the community. You will work with a friendly team of employees and volunteers to participate in the day-to-day running of our busy retail sites at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Responsibilities
- 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 in line with Health and Safety and food hygiene standards; ensuring all areas stay tidy
- Ensuring stock and displays are replenished regularly and ordering supplies if required
- Delivering hot and cold drinks (Café) and serving freshly made food such as cake, sandwiches and pastries (Café)
- Receiving deliveries, distributing, rotating stock, and assisting with regular stock checks
- Engaging with volunteers to support a great volunteer experience
Hours: 12 per week, flexibly across 7 days, comprising 2 x 6 hour shifts. Our retail sites are open on weekends and bank holidays. There may be opportunities for paid overtime during busy periods or to cover absence.
Requirements/What You’ll Bring
Working in a hospital requires a customer-focused approach. You should be able to communicate with a variety of people in a friendly and cheerful manner, adapting your approach to meet individual needs.
- Previous experience in retail or café environments is advantageous, but training will be provided; a positive attitude and willingness to learn are essential
- Ability to deliver outstanding customer service
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong organisational skills
- Familiarity with email and internet
- Flexible approach to working hours
- Team-oriented but able to work independently when required
- Proficient literacy and numeracy
- Knowledge of EPOS/till systems is advantageous
- Knowledge and experience of general administrative processes
- Willingness to undertake training and ongoing professional development
Job Responsibilities
This role ensures the effective operation of the retail outlet(s) with outstanding store standards and excellent customer service to maximise the shopping experience.
- Welcoming customers, informing them about specials or new products, answering questions and processing payments
- Preparing hot and cold drinks and serving café items
- Operating the till and handling cash reconciliation as required
- Receiving deliveries, maintaining and rotating stock, and supporting stock checks
- Engaging with volunteers to provide a great volunteer experience
- Maintaining a high level of cleanliness in line with Health and Safety and food hygiene standards
- This role may involve pushing loaded trolleys of stock for long distances
How You’ll be assessed
Delivers Objectives – Strives to meet expectations and deadlines with dependable, thorough work. Quality Orientation – Pays attention to detail and adheres to policy and standards. Team Working – Collaborates and supports others. Service Delivery Focus – Provides high-quality service and keeps people safe. Following Directions – Complies with standards and works cooperatively. Interpersonal Sensitivity – Builds respectful relationships. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion – Promotes inclusive practices in all interactions.
Benefits
This is what you’ll receive:
- Salary of £12.43 per hour (FTE £22,638 per annum)
- 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (pro rata)
- Ten weeks’ company sick pay after probation
- Excellent pension scheme
- 2 x Salary Death in Service Benefit (subject to qualification)
- Enhanced Family Leave schemes
- Access to an exclusive rewards website for discounts and cashback
- 24-hour doctor line and financial support for dental/optical and other therapies
- Free and confidential employee assistance programme with up to six counselling sessions
- Extensive online and on-the-job training to support success
- Flexible working opportunities
- Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
- Impactful work that changes lives and communities
If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Retail Customer Assistant, please click ‘apply’ today. The closing date is 09 October 2025. We may close early if sufficient applications are received. We are committed to welcoming everyone and building inclusive and diverse teams.
For more on our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), visit our website. Other organisations may refer to this role as Retail Assistant, Shop Assistant, Café Assistant, Store Assistant, Retail Sales Assistant, or Customer Service Assistant.
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Retail Customer Assistant - Retail at Sunderland Royal Hospital employer: Royal Voluntary Service
Contact Detail:
Royal Voluntary Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Customer Assistant - Retail at Sunderland Royal Hospital
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Royal Voluntary Service. Understand their values and mission, especially how they impact communities. This will help you connect your answers to what they care about.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on showcasing your customer service skills and how you can bring a positive attitude to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though it’s a retail role, looking smart and presentable shows you’re serious about the job. Plus, it’ll boost your confidence when you walk into that interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Customer Assistant - Retail at Sunderland Royal Hospital
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 can bring a positive vibe to our team.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the Retail Customer Assistant position. Highlight any relevant experience in retail or cafes, and mention specific skills that match what we’re looking for, like customer service and teamwork.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. We appreciate straightforwardness, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Voluntary Service
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand the responsibilities of a Retail Customer Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the tasks like operating the till, maintaining cleanliness, and providing excellent customer service. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
Since this job involves a lot of customer interaction, be prepared to demonstrate your communication skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you provided outstanding service or resolved a customer issue. This will highlight your ability to engage with customers effectively.
✨Dress for Success
Even though it’s a retail position, first impressions matter! Dress smartly and appropriately for the interview. A neat appearance shows that you take the opportunity seriously and are ready to represent the company well.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or what a typical day looks like. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.