At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide friendly service, prepare food and drinks, and maintain store standards.
- Company: Join the Royal Voluntary Service at Sunderland Eye Infirmary.
- Benefits: Earn £12.71 per hour, enjoy 26 days holiday, and access great employee perks.
- Other info: Flexible hours, opportunities for career growth, and extensive training provided.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 12.71 - 12.71 £ per hour.
Job Description
Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for two Retail Customer Assistants to join our team at Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital, Plater Way, Riverside, Sunderland, SR1 3AA.
You will join us on a part‑time, permanent basis, and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £12.71 per hour (FTE £23,136 per annum).
About the Retail Customer Assistant Role
Royal Voluntary Service hospital cafés, shops and trolleys are part of the fabric of the NHS 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 retail sites at Sunderland Eye Infirmary.
- 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
20 hours per week on a rota basis from Monday to Sunday.
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 As Our Retail Customer Assistant
- Previous experience in a retail or café 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
- Ability to deliver outstanding customer service
- Excellent communication 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
- This Is What You'll Be Doing
To ensure the effective operation of the retail outlet/s in maintaining outstanding store standards, whilst providing friendly, helpful, and excellent customer service to all customers, maximising a great shopping experience.
Provide friendly, helpful, and efficient customer service at all times.
- 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 undertaking cash reconciliation as required
- Receiving incoming deliveries, distributing, maintaining, and rotat(ting) stock as appropriate; assisting in accurate completion of regular stock checks
- Engaging 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
- This Is How You'll Be Doing It
- Delivers
Objectives: Strives to deliver what is expected or required of them and consistently meets objectives and deadlines.
Is dependable and does not like abandoned tasks without seeing them through to the end.
Work is often conducted in a thorough and methodical manner.
Quality
Orientation: Pays attention, is precise, checks, and completes things.
Focuses on getting things right and seeks to ensure that decisions and solutions minimise risk.
Adheres to policy and standards.
Team
Working: Enjoys participating in group activities and likes to work with other people.
Is ready to collaborate with and support others and is willing to cooperate and compromise for the overall good.
- Service
- Delivery
Focused: Identifies and focuses on the individual needs and concerns of the customer or client.
Engages and responds accordingly with a professional and high-quality service.
Is committed to keeping people safe from harm.
Following
Directions: Is motivated to accept and comply with standards and instructions and delivers accurately on what is promised or expected.
Works productively in cooperation with, and support of, others.
Interpersonal
Sensitivity: Has the ability to interact with others in a sensitive and effective way.
Respects and works well with others.
Is able to build and maintain healthy relationships that are mutually beneficial.
Equality, Diversity, and
Inclusion: Values difference and sets a positive example of inclusive behaviour in all interactions and promotes practices that celebrate equality and diversity in the workplace and the communities we serve.
Is an active participant and encourages others to engage effectively with charity wide inclusion activities.
- This Is All the Other Great Stuff You'll Be Getting
- Salary of £12.71 per hour (FTE £23,136 per annum)
- 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (pro rata)
- Up to 2 days paid volunteer leave a year, through our employer supported volunteer scheme
- 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
- An employee benefits package that gives access to an exclusive rewards website to get discounts and cashback online
- A 24‑hour doctor line, financial support with dental/optical and other therapies
- A free and confidential employee assistance programme with up to six face‑to‑face counselling sessions included
- 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
- The chance to make a positive, lasting impact that changes lives, communities and society
The closing date for this role is 10 August 2026. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
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Retail Customer Assistant at Sunderland Eye Infirmary employer: Royal Voluntary Service
Royal Voluntary Service is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture where your contributions truly make a difference in the community. Located at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow, employees enjoy flexible hours, competitive pay, and numerous opportunities for career growth, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about customer service and community impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Customer Assistant at Sunderland Eye Infirmary
✨Get to Know Your Local Scene
Retail is all about community, so don't underestimate the power of local connections. Pop into shops you're interested in, chat with staff, and ask if they have any openings. This personal touch could land you a part-time gig with ease!
✨Show Off Your Personality
Retail is a people business, and employers love genuine, enthusiastic candidates. When you're applying for part-time roles, showcase your customer service skills and personality during interviews. Be yourself, and don't be afraid to share your love for the products!
✨Utilise College or University Resources
If you're a student, check out your university’s career services. They often have links with local retailers looking for part-time staff. It's a great way to find positions that work around your studies while also building your CV!
✨Check Out Seasonal Opportunities
Retail often sees a surge during peak seasons like Christmas or summer sales. Keep your eyes peeled for temporary part-time roles during these times. Many companies, including Royal Voluntary Service, may even transition seasonal workers into permanent positions if you impress them!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Customer Assistant at Sunderland Eye Infirmary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, we know that customer service is king! Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've got with face-to-face interactions. Include specific examples where you went above and beyond for a customer—this shows potential employers like Royal Voluntary Service that you're all about creating great shopping experiences.
Flexibility is Key!:For a part-time role, showcasing your availability is crucial. Make it clear in your application when you can work, especially if you have weekday and weekend flexibility. Retail can demand odd hours, so we want to see that you're ready to jump in when needed!
Forget the Fancy Formatting:While you want your CV to look good, in retail, clarity is more important than flashiness. Use simple formatting and bullet points to make your experiences stand out. Retail managers at Royal Voluntary Service will appreciate a straightforward CV that’s easy to skim through.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:When applying for a part-time retail position, your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share why you’re excited about Royal Voluntary Service and what you can bring to their team. Maybe you love their products or admire their customer service philosophy—let that passion come through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Voluntary Service
✨Mastering Brand Knowledge
As we're heading into a part-time retail role at Royal Voluntary Service, it’s super crucial to know their brand inside out. Familiarise yourself with their products, customer service approach, and any current promotions. This way, you can engage genuinely in conversations and show that you’re already invested in their vibe.
✨Excellent Customer Scenarios
Prepare for customer service scenarios! Retail interviews often include role-play or situational questions. Think about how you'd handle different customer situations, from dealing with complaints to upselling products. We want to hear how you can keep your cool and keep the customer happy!
✨Tailoring Your Availability
Being part-time means flexibility is key! Be ready to discuss your availability honestly. Employers in retail love candidates who can adapt their schedules to peak hours. Show that you're keen to work evenings or weekends if it helps them out.
✨Show Off Your Team Spirit
Teamwork is essential in retail. Bring up experiences where you worked effectively in a team, whether it’s in previous jobs, school projects, or volunteering. We want to know how you can contribute to a positive team environment at Royal Voluntary Service!
