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- Tasks: Provide friendly service and manage retail operations at a busy hospital shop.
- Company: Join the Royal Voluntary Service, supporting NHS cafes and shops.
- Benefits: Earn £12.68 per hour, enjoy 26 days holiday, and access great perks.
- Why this job: Make a difference in your community while gaining valuable retail experience.
- Qualifications: Retail experience and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible weekend hours with opportunities for career growth and training.
Overview
Senior Retail Customer Assistant – Weekends at Royal Voluntary Service based at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY. This is a part-time, permanent role with a salary of £12.68 per hour (FTE £23,091 per annum).
We operate hospital cafes, shops and trolleys as part of the NHS and are staffed by employees and volunteers. We provide beverages and healthy food choices, and proceeds support volunteer action in hospitals and the community. You will join a friendly team to support the day-to-day management of the busy retail Shop at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
Hours
Hours: 28 per week
- 28 hours a week, to include Saturday & Sunday and 2 shifts during the week on a rota between 6am and 8pm.
- Example shifts: 6am to 1.30pm, or 12.30pm to 8pm.
Our retail sites are open every day, including weekends and all bank holidays. There may be opportunities for paid overtime during busy periods or to cover absences.
Responsibilities
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 remain tidy
- Ensuring stock and displays are replenished regularly and ordering supplies if required
- Engaging with volunteers to direct and lead by example to ensure a positive volunteer experience
- Supervising the site and the team in the absence of the Retail Service Manager, supporting the manager to achieve KPI targets, and directing, training and supporting the team to deliver
Job Requirements
- Provide friendly, helpful, and efficient customer service at all times with excellent product knowledge
- Supervising a team to ensure hot & cold food is prepared to legal food safety standards and assist at peak trade
- Operate the till and undertake cash reconciliation as required; open and close a service
- Receive deliveries, rotate stock, maintain and date rotate stock; assist in regular stock takes
- Engage with volunteers to direct and lead by example; maintain a positive attitude
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness in line with Health & Safety and Food Hygiene
- Support the manager to achieve KPI targets and train and support the team
- Communicate and feedback to the team and manager on performance; challenge where improvement is needed
- Flexible to the needs of the business; available to work any day including weekends; may be required to work out of hours for training or stock takes
This Is How You\’ll Be Doing It:
- Service Delivery Focused – Identify and respond to individual customer needs with high-quality service and keep people safe from harm
- Delivers Objectives – Meet objectives and deadlines with thorough, methodical work
- Enable Volunteers – Support volunteers and collaborate with the Volunteering Team; accept responsibility for volunteers’ journey and experience
- Supporting & Managing Others – Support and collaborate with colleagues; be approachable and dependable
- Quality Orientation – Be precise, adhere to policy and standards to minimise risk
- Leadership – Lead, empower and motivate others to achieve goals
- Following Directions – Accept standards and instructions and deliver as promised
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion – Promote inclusive behaviour and engagement with charity-wide inclusion activities
Benefits
- Salary of £12.68 per hour (FTE £23,091 per annum)
- 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (pro rata)
- Up to 2 days paid volunteer leave per year
- Ten weeks’ company sick pay after probation
- Great pension scheme
- 2 x Salary Death in Service Benefit (subject to qualification)
- Enhanced Family Leave schemes
- Access to exclusive rewards website for discounts and cashback
- 24-hour doctor line, dental/optical support and other therapies
- Free and confidential employee assistance programme with up to six counselling sessions
- Extensive online and on-the-job training
- Opportunities to discuss flexible working and progression
If you have the skills and experience to become our Service Coordinator, please click apply today. DBS/PVG checks will be part of pre-employment checks.
Application timeline – The closing date is 7 April 2026; we may close early if sufficient applications are received. We encourage timely applications.
Royal Voluntary Service is committed to inclusion and diversity. Visit our website to learn about our commitment to EDI. Other organisations may call this role Retail Assistant, Shop Assistant, Café Assistant, Store Assistant, Retail Sales Assistant, or Customer Service Assistant.
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Senior Retail Customer Assistant - Retail at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital employer: Royal Voluntary Service
Contact Detail:
Royal Voluntary Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Retail Customer Assistant - Retail at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Royal Voluntary Service. Understand their mission and values, especially how they support the NHS. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to customer service and teamwork. Think about your past experiences in retail or cafes and how they relate to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! Even though it’s a retail position, looking smart and professional can make a great first impression. Choose an outfit that reflects your personality while still being appropriate for the workplace. Remember, you want to stand out for the right reasons!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a nice touch that many candidates overlook!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Retail Customer Assistant - Retail at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. A friendly tone can really make your application stand out.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in retail or cafes. We’re looking for specific examples that show how you've provided excellent customer service and managed teams. This helps us see how you fit into our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points if necessary to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforwardness, especially when it comes to your skills and experiences.
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 Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior Retail Customer Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like providing excellent customer service, managing the till, and maintaining hygiene standards. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role involves working with a team of employees and volunteers, be prepared to discuss your experience in managing people. Think of examples where you've led a team or trained others, and highlight your ability to maintain a positive attitude in a busy environment. This will demonstrate that you can engage effectively with both customers and colleagues.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during the interview. For instance, you might be asked how you'd handle a difficult customer or manage stock levels during a busy shift. Practise your responses to these types of questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role by asking about team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the position. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.