Retail Assistants (Cavendish)

Hours: 0 hours

Contract: September 2026 - July 2027

Please only apply if you are going to be a student for the academic year commencing September 2026. You will only be able to hold one part-time staff role during the academic year so please do not apply for multiple roles. If we feel when you are interviewing/assessing you will be suitable for another role we will flag this.

Job purpose

As a Retail Assistant at The Cavendish Shop, you are the face of the store and an expert on our products. Your role is to create a welcoming atmosphere, assist customers efficiently, and ensure the shop runs smoothly. You will work in a fast-paced environment, interacting with a wide range of customers. No prior experience is necessary, as full training will be provided. This role is an excellent opportunity to develop customer service, teamwork, and retail skills while studying at university. The role is based at the Cavendish Campus, and you may be required to work Monday-Friday (11:00 – 17:00), with occasional weekend shifts when needed.

Key responsibilities

• Key Operational Duties
• Support the opening and closing of the shop when required, following established procedures to ensure the shop is prepared for trading and secured appropriately at the end of the day.
• Customer Service & Shop Presentation
• Greet, serve, and assist customers, ensuring a positive shopping experience.
• Handle customer queries, complaints, and requests professionally.
• Advise customers on offers, promotions, and best-selling products.
• Maintain a clean and inviting shop floor, ensuring shelves are well-stocked and visually appealing.
• Assist in creating promotional displays and merchandising stock effectively.
• Unload, sort, and replenish stock in an organised and methodical manner.
• Carry out manual handling tasks, including lifting and moving stock safely.
• Conduct stock checks and maintain a well-organised inventory.
• Receive, verify, and store deliveries, ensuring correct stock levels.
• Ensure accurate stock holding and recording, reporting any shortages or discrepancies.
• Operational Duties & Health & Safety
• Process customer transactions on the EPOS system (till operations).
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, following scheduled cleaning tasks.
• Complete and submit relevant checklists, reports, and operational logs.
• Follow all health and safety policies, including safe lifting techniques and fire safety protocols.
• Report any issues, hazards, or maintenance concerns to the Team Leader or Manager.
• Signposting
• Provide a friendly and supportive first point of contact for students who approach the Cavendish Shop with general questions about University or Students’ Union services.
• Use available tools (such as the Cavendish iPad and internal resources) to help students locate relevant information, including website and events.
• Support students with simple tasks such as navigating webpages, accessing forms, or booking appointments where appropriate.
• Aim to resolve straightforward queries within the space wherever possible, ensuring students leave with a clear next step.
• For more complex, specialist, or sensitive issues, signpost students to the appropriate team or service.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries by providing procedural guidance and support, rather than specialist advice.

Who would this role suit?

This role is ideal for students who enjoy working with people, are proactive, and are looking to gain hands-on experience in a customer-facing environment.

What is in it for me

• Truly flexible working – you’ll never be asked to work over a lecture.
• Access to our employability support and development programme.
• Access to the employee assistance programme.
• Team socials and staff parties.
• Experience working in a varied and fast-paced environment.
• A fun working environment and great culture – you get to work with your fellow students!

Key areas we are looking for

We would love to see how you resonate with the below, so remember to include examples in your application; do not worry if you do not have any work experience, think of any other setting, such as home, university etc.

• Qualifications & Expertise
• Must be a current student at the University of Westminster.
• Able to communicate clearly and professionally with students, staff, and visitors.
• Willing to contribute creative ideas for shop promotion and engagement, including helping create informal social media content such as short videos or posts when required.
• Friendly, approachable, and able to create a welcoming environment for customers and students.
• Comfortable managing multiple tasks such as serving customers, restocking shelves, and maintaining shop presentation.
• Comfortable carrying out physical tasks such as unloading deliveries, lifting stock, replenishing shelves, and maintaining storage areas.
• Able to follow operational procedures accurately, including deliveries, and inventory checks.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other Retail Assistants and staff to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Able to listen to student queries and confidently help them find relevant information or services using available tools and resources.
• Comfortable supporting students in taking practical next steps, such as navigating website or signposting to appropriate department.
• Values & behaviours
• A demonstrable commitment to our organisation’s values.
• Positive and approachable attitude.
• Willingness to learn new tasks and adapt.
• Professional, respectful, and inclusive approach when supporting members of the university community.