At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide friendly service in a busy hospital retail environment.
- Company: Royal Voluntary Service, dedicated to supporting the NHS and community.
- Benefits: Earn £12.43 per hour, enjoy 26 days holiday, and access great employee perks.
- Other info: Flexible hours, opportunities for career growth, and a supportive team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on patients' days while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Overview
Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for a Retail Customer Assistant to join our team 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).
Role
Working alongside a friendly team of employees and volunteers, you will participate in the day-to-day running of our busy retail sites at Sunderland Royal Hospital. The hospital cafes, shops and trolleys are part of the fabric of the NHS and a real asset in their own right.
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 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: 16 per week (flexible across 7 days, comprising 4 x 4-hour shifts). Our retail sites are open on weekends and bank holidays. There may also be opportunities for paid overtime in busy periods or to cover absence.
What you’ll bring
Working in a hospital 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.
Job Requirements
- 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
Job Responsibilities
- To ensure the effective operation of the retail outlets in maintaining outstanding store standards, whilst providing friendly, helpful, and excellent customer service to all customers, maximising a great shopping experience
- Welcoming customers, informing them about specials or new products, answering questions and accepting orders and payments
- Preparing hot and cold drinks (Café)
- Serving freshly made food such as cake, sandwiches, and pastries (Café)
- Operating the till and undertake cash reconciliation as required
- To receive incoming deliveries, distribute, maintain, and date rotate stock as appropriate. Assist in the accurate completion of regular stock checks
- Engage with volunteers to direct & lead by example to ensure they have a great volunteer experience
- Maintaining a high level of cleanliness complying with Health and Safety and food hygiene standards and ensuring all areas of the site remain tidy
- This role may involve pushing loaded trolleys of stock for long distances
Delivery and Excellence
Delivers Objectives, Quality Orientation, Team Working, Service Delivery Focused, Following Directions, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Benefits
- 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 following successful completion of probation
- A great pension scheme
- 2 x Salary Death in Service Benefit, subject to qualification
- Enhanced Family Leave schemes
- Employee benefits package with access to discounts and cashback online
- 24-hour doctor line, financial support with dental/optical and other therapies
- Free and confidential employee assistance programme with up to six face-to-face counselling sessions
- Extensive online and on-the-job training to ensure you will succeed in your role
- Opportunities to discuss flexible working
- Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
- Chance to make a positive, lasting impact
If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Retail Customer Assistant please click ‘apply’ today. The closing date is 9 October 2025, but we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. This role may be called Retail Assistant, Shop Assistant, Café Assistant, Store Assistant, Retail Sales Assistant, or Customer Service Assistant by other organisations. This description contains EDI commitment information; for details visit the Royal Voluntary Service website.
Retail Customer Assistant - Retail & Cafe at Sunderland Royal Hospital - Part Time - 16 hours employer: Royal Voluntary Service
Royal Voluntary Service is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and friendly work environment at Sunderland Royal Hospital. With flexible part-time hours, competitive pay, and a comprehensive benefits package including generous holiday entitlement and professional development opportunities, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join a passionate team dedicated to providing outstanding customer service and enhancing the hospital experience for patients and visitors alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Customer Assistant - Retail & Cafe at Sunderland Royal Hospital - Part Time - 16 hours
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Royal Voluntary Service. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect better during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since this role is all about providing excellent service, think of examples from your past experiences where you went above and beyond for a customer. We want to hear those stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though it’s a retail position, looking smart and presentable can make a great first impression. It shows you care about the role and the customers you'll be serving.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Customer Assistant - Retail & Cafe at Sunderland Royal Hospital - Part Time - 16 hours
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 mission at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
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. We love a can-do attitude!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. We appreciate straightforward communication, just like the friendly service we provide to our customers!
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 this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Voluntary Service
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Retail Customer Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the daily tasks, such as operating the till, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining cleanliness. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
Since this role involves interacting with a variety of customers, be prepared to demonstrate your communication skills. Think of examples where you've provided outstanding customer service or resolved issues effectively. Highlighting your ability to adapt your approach to different people will really impress the interviewers.
✨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 hospital's values of professionalism and care.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the workplace is the right fit for you.
