At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise cafe operations, provide excellent customer service, and support a friendly team.
- Company: Join Royal Voluntary Service at Hairmyres Hospital, a vital part of the NHS.
- Benefits: Earn £12.68 per hour, enjoy 26 days holiday, and access employee rewards.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for overtime and extensive training provided.
- Why this job: Make a difference in a hospital setting while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail or cafes, strong communication skills, and a passion for customer service.
Senior Retail Customer Assistant - Cafe at Monklands Hospital
Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity for a Senior Retail Customer Assistant to join our team at Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, G75 8RG. This is a part-time, permanent role with a salary of £12.68 per hour (FTE £23,091 per annum).
About the Role
Royal Voluntary Service hospital cafes, shops and trolleys are part of the NHS fabric and a real asset. You will work with a friendly team of employees and volunteers to support the day-to-day management of the busy cafe at Hairmyres 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 stock and displays are replenished regularly and ordering supplies if required
- Engaging with volunteers to direct and lead by example to ensure a great volunteer experience
- Supervising the site and team in the absence of the Retail Service Manager and supporting the manager to deliver KPIs
Hours
11 hours per week; 8 hours on weekends and 3 hours on Thursdays. Our retail sites are open daily, including weekends and bank holidays. There may be opportunities for paid overtime during busy periods or to cover absences.
What You\'ll Bring
Working in a hospital requires a special kind of customer service. You should communicate clearly with a variety of people in a friendly and cheerful way and adapt your approach to meet individual needs.
Job Requirements
- Previous experience in a retail or cafe environment with experience of managing people
- Knowledge of EPOS systems would be advantageous
- Knowledge and experience of general administrative processes
- Knowledge in Food Safety & Health & Safety procedures would be advantageous but full training will be given
- Excellent communication skills
- Organising, delegating and prioritising
- Ability to remain calm and professional in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to deliver excellent customer service
- Experience with email and internet is required
- Enjoy working within a passionate team as well as independently on occasions
- Flexible to business needs and able to attend out-of-hours training if required
Job Responsibilities
- Supervise the effective operation of the retail outlet(s) to maintain outstanding store standards and provide excellent customer service
- Support the manager to deliver KPIs by directing, developing and supervising a team
- Ensure policies and procedures are followed at all times
- Provide friendly, helpful service with strong product knowledge
- Supervise food preparation to legal food safety standards and assist at peak trade
- Operate the till and perform cash reconciliation, including opening and closing of service
- Receive deliveries, rotate stock, and assist with regular stock takes
- Engage with volunteers and maintain a positive volunteer experience
- Maintain cleanliness and safety standards across the site
- Support the manager to achieve KPIs and train/train your team as needed
- Communicate feedback to the team and manager and address improvements when required
- Be available to work flexible days, including weekends and occasional out-of-hours work
Company Values and Benefits
- Salary of £12.68 per hour (FTE £23,091 per annum)
- 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (pro rata)
- Ten weeks’ company sick pay after probation
- Pension scheme
- 2 x Salary Death in Service Benefit (subject to qualification)
- Enhanced Family Leave schemes
- Employee rewards website with discounts and cashback
- 24-hour doctor line and financial support for dental/optical and other therapies
- Employee assistance programme with up to six counselling sessions
- Extensive online/on-the-job training
- Opportunities for flexible working and skill development
If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Senior Retail Customer Assistant, please click “apply” today.
The closing date for this role is 07 November 2025. We reserve the right to close early if sufficient applications are received. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Senior Retail Customer Assistant - Cafe at Monklands Hospital employer: Royal Voluntary Service
Royal Voluntary Service is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and friendly work environment at Hairmyres Hospital. With a focus on employee well-being, we provide competitive pay, generous holiday allowances, and extensive training opportunities, ensuring that our team members can grow and thrive in their roles. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the benefits of flexible working and a strong commitment to equality and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Retail Customer Assistant - Cafe at Monklands Hospital
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Royal Voluntary Service, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Royal Voluntary Service!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Retail Customer Assistant - Cafe at Monklands Hospital
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Royal Voluntary Service, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Royal Voluntary Service and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Royal Voluntary Service that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Voluntary Service
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
