Student Casual – FBR Assistant – Food, Beverage and Retail – Grade 2 – 907081 / 907077 in Birmingham

College/Division: Campus Services

School/Department: Food, Beverage and Retail

Employment type: Part time

Grade: 2

Hourly rate: £13.45 per hour plus holiday entitlement

Positions available: 15-20 (plus reserves)

Closing date: 11/05/2026 at 23:55

Target start date: Week commencing 25/05/2026 – ongoing role

Job Summary

You will be responsible for providing excellent customer service in any one of those retail areas/outlets. This post will involve basic food preparation, the provision of a high quality retail service, cash handling, cleaning and stock control, together with any other duties required to ensure the smooth running of the business and operations service we offer to our diverse range of customers. In order to use resources flexibly you may be required to work elsewhere in the department or wider University.

Main Duties

• Greet and serve customers in a professional, responsive, courteous, friendly manner, answering queries and dealing with situations that arise to deliver the highest level of customer service.
• Build rapport with customers whenever possible and encourage customer feedback.
• Maintain a professional working relationship with all colleagues.

Business Requirements

• Undertake basic retail/food and drink preparation, maintaining standards to deliver quality products to the customer.
• Ensure correct standard of stock rotation is followed while maintaining adequate stock levels, adjusting orders as required and ensuring retail products are used prior to the best‑before date; ensure merchandising standards are met.
• Report any equipment failures and hazards to the Supervisor/Manager/Supplier in a timely manner.
• Ensure all merchandising standards are adhered to as directed by the Supervisor/Manager and in line with Operations Manuals.
• Maintain control on all retail wastage and record as required.
• Ensure that all HACCP hygiene and allergen recording systems and retail receipt procedures are carried out and correctly recorded.
• Conform and adhere to all Health and Safety Codes of Practice and COSHH regulations at all times.
• Assist with the transportation of stock and equipment from one location to another as required, following hygiene and health and safety protocols.
• Operate EPOS terminals and handle cash effectively, including opening and end‑of‑day procedures, cashing up and ensuring the security of all monies; if required in secure areas.
• Perform cleaning tasks to a high standard at all times, following SOPs, ensuring the regular removal of rubbish as necessary and ensuring a clean environment.
• Ensure thorough cleaning of all equipment, retail fixtures and fittings, walls, fridges, tables and all work areas and surfaces, sanitising before the end of each shift.
• On occasion, place orders for food and stock, and/or undertake stock takes as directed by the manager.
• If serving restricted items, ensure compliance with relevant licensing laws.

Teamwork

• Actively seek opportunities to increase sales by upselling products and making recommendations as directed by the manager.
• Participate in any training and development activities as required.
• Support colleagues.
• Attend all team briefs/training and departmental meetings as required.
• Be actively involved in an annual personal development review with the line manager/supervisor.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties or requests, including driving UoB vehicles when required (if you hold a clean driving licence).
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect, supporting equality and valuing diversity.

Operational Requirements

• Working hours are inclusive of weekdays, weekends, bank holidays and closed days on a rota basis, including evening work activities.
• The postholder will primarily focus on one area – front of house, back of house or logistics, but may be required to work in other areas of the business occasionally subject to business need.
• Perform works activities across all UoB campuses as requested, commensurate with the grade and role activities.
• Promote equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource‑efficient working.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Experience and knowledge of working in a busy, customer‑facing role; previous experience of working in a retail environment is an advantage.
• A commitment to providing a quality service.
• Positive communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a high standard of personal appearance – a uniform is provided for a portion of the role.
• Flexible approach to working hours and days, as work patterns may vary.
• Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect the role (e.g., customer preferences, dress code).

Further Details

This role involves students rotating between Retail Assistant and Food & Beverage Assistant to gain experience in a range of environments and manage a diverse set of responsibilities. During term time students are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week; outside of term time hours may increase, subject to course type, availability and visa requirements. Applicants should detail any customer experience, including transferable skills from similar roles. Work continues until the student’s graduation, ideally for those with at least a year left on their course (graduating July 2027 or later). However this is not an essential requirement for application. For this recruitment cycle, priority is given to students available to work over the summer break and who live locally to campus. Interviews are planned for 20th and 21st May – applicants should state any unavailability for these dates.

For informal queries, contact Jason Dixon (j.a.m.dixon@bham.ac.uk) or Faye Toye (f.toye@bham.ac.uk).

The University of Birmingham restricts all students to working up to 20 hours per week during term time for a maximum of 13 consecutive weeks. If your application is successful and your course does not follow the usual academic term timetable, you and your supervisor must formally agree vacation periods if the role exceeds 20 hours per week. International students will need to apply to the Registry for the appropriate authorised absence. Only current University of Birmingham students are eligible to apply to this role.