At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist customers, maintain shop standards, and promote Gift Aid.
- Company: Join a caring and innovative charity retail company making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, virtual GP service, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: No evening or Sunday shifts, with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that empowers communities and promotes sustainability.
- Qualifications: Friendly attitude and customer service experience are essential.
The predicted salary is between 9.9 - 12.1 £ per hour.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Sales Assistant. If you have had customer focussed experience, whether in paid or voluntary roles and have a friendly and positive outlook then we are looking for you to assist our Shop Manager and team of hardworking volunteers to make our shop be as successful as it can possibly be.
- Help to maintain high standards of visual merchandising throughout the shop
- Assist our customers throughout their visit, from entering the shop to completing their purchase
- Actively promote and explain the benefits of Gift Aid to customers and other various promotions
- Complete all company paperwork, including cashing up and banking procedures
- Encourage and assist in the training of volunteers
- Assist in the sorting and preparation of all donated stock
- Travel to other shops if part of a cluster from time to time
- Support the Shop Manager in all aspects of best practice and Health and Safety Procedures
- Be responsible for the daily running of the shop and management of volunteers in the Managers absence
- Ensure that personal behaviour reflects the visions and values of the company
- Are resilient, supportive, caring, hands on and enthusiastic
- Possess a positive attitude in delivering exceptional customer service
- Want to make a positive change
- Take pride in everything that you do in order to maintain the high standards that we promise to our colleagues, stakeholders and ourselves
- Are adaptable; able to think on your feet
- Have a keen interest in the environment and sustainability
- Have an engaging personality, the desire to succeed and be the best you can be 'Working at SATCoL is an incredibly rewarding experience. The organisation's commitment to making a positive impact in communities, paired with the supportive and inclusive work environment, makes every day truly fulfilling.' - LF, Donation Centre Manager
'SATCoL are caring and thoughtful. Always get great support and I am very proud to be part of this company.' - KB, Shop Manager
'Working for Salvation Army Trading Company has been an incredibly rewarding work experience. Not only do I get to contribute to a noble cause by supporting their humanitarian efforts, but I also get to be a part of an inspired, dedicated and supportive employer that's making a real difference in people's lives.' - GT, Sales Assistant/Driver
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sectors.
Please be aware that this advert may close sooner than the closing date in extreme circumstances.
The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country. Recently, the company has won multiple workplace environment awards and has an outstanding record of employee satisfaction.
Wellbeing Commitment
Our colleagues are our most important asset, and we are committed to the wellbeing of our teams being our single most important issue. SATCoL offer many more fantastic benefits, please see attachment for details.
Why join Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL)?
- Be part of a continually developing and growing company who works tirelessly to help fund The Salvation Army's vital work with vulnerable people in the UK by raising money.
- Work for a company that cares for its colleagues, stakeholders, community and environment and encourages reuse and recycling through over 240 charity shops and donation centres, and a network of around 8,000 clothing banks.
- We are at the forefront of textile reuse and recycling, and we work closely with our key partners, including some of the biggest retail and online brands. With the support of the British public, we have raised over £80 million over the past 10 years to help the work of The Salvation Army.
- We have a strong and positive culture, led by our values 'Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Equality' and our core purpose of 'enabling mission and providing resource to help the work of The Salvation Army'. We truly CARE.
- We believe in empowering people; therefore, our roles offer lots of independence. Whether you are part of our front-line collections team or our central support function, we encourage autonomy and embrace new ideas.
- Whatever our colleagues' workplace aspirations, SATCoL supports them at all levels to grow and succeed, believing in internal development and promoting from within wherever possible.
- We value every colleague, no matter what department or role you work in. Inclusivity underpins our strong team ethic and allows for collaborative working to help one another be successful.
- We offer a wide variety of opportunities that offer a range of exciting challenges and new experiences, where no two days are the same.
Do you want to work for a company that has been named in The UK's Top 25 Best Large Company to work for and Charity's Top 5 Best Organisation to work for by Best Companies Ltd?
Do you want to work for a company, that passionately cares about its colleagues, stakeholders and the planet, and is the current recipient of the prestigious Charity Retailer of the Year award?
Do you want to work for a company that is different, exciting, innovative and extremely successful within the charity retail market?
Would you like to have some amazing benefits such as a virtual GP service, fantastic pension scheme and a starting holiday entitlement of 26 days plus bank holidays?
Do you need a new challenge that not only helps you to develop your skills, but is integral to the community?
Did we mention, there is no evening or Sunday working too?!
Do you have excellent customer service skills?, Annual Leave Starting at 26 days plus bank holidays, with the ability to buy an extra week.
- Virtual GP Service Phone consultations available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days and video consultations from 8am to 10 pm, 7 days a week.
- Excellent Pension Scheme SATCoL offer a Defined Contribution Scheme, with the company doubling your contributions, up to 6%, and giving you Life Assurance of 3 x your normal salary.
- Company Sick Pay This is paid from the end of your probation period and increases during your employment with us.
- Discounts All colleagues are entitled to a 25% discount of all original, full priced products sold by SATCoL.
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Sales Assistant in Lancaster employer: The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises community impact and personal growth. As an Empowerment & Employment Coach in Ipswich, you will benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, while working alongside passionate colleagues dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals facing employment barriers. Join us to be part of a mission-driven organisation that values your contributions and fosters a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Assistant in Lancaster
✨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 The Salvation Army, 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 The Salvation Army!
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 The Salvation Army, 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 The Salvation Army 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 The Salvation Army that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Salvation Army
✨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!
