At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve delicious coffee and food while providing top-notch customer service.
- Company: Join the vibrant team at Nineteen38 Coffee, part of Royal Voluntary Service.
- Benefits: Earn £12.71 per hour, enjoy 26 days holiday, and access great perks.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for career growth and training.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in a café is a plus; bring your passion for customer service!
Job Description
Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for a Retail Customer Assistant to join our team at Nineteen38 Coffee at Morton House, 21 Kimpton Road, Luton LU2 0LA. You will join us on a part-time, permanent basis and in return, you will receive a salary of £12.71 per hour (FTE £23,136 per annum).
About The Retail Customer Assistant role
Nineteen38 Coffee™ powered by Royal Voluntary Service is part of the fabric of the community and a real asset in its 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 the community. Working alongside a friendly team of employees and volunteers, you will participate in the day-to-day running of our busy Cafe at Nineteen38 Coffee™ at Morton House in Luton.
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: 25 hours per week (5 shifts of 5 hours), including all Bank Holidays
Schedule: Typically, Monday to Friday with Weekends on a rota bases supporting the sister site at Wigmore Valley Park
Typical Shifts: Open to close could be 07:30-13:00 -10:30-16:00
What You'll Bring As Our Retail Customer Assistant
- Previous experience in a barista/cafe environment would be an advantage
- Can remain calm & professional in fast paced environment
- The ability to deliver excellent customer service
- Knowledge of EPOS systems
- Knowledge in Food Safety & Health & Safety procedures
- Excellent communications skills
- Enjoy working within a passionate team as well as working on your own on occasions
- Skilled at Organising, Delegating & Prioritising
- Flexible to the needs of the business & can attend out of hours training if required
- Knowledge and experience of general administrative processes
- Experience with email and internet is required
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.
- Preparing hot and cold drinks
- Serving & preparing freshly made food such as baguettes, cake, sandwiches, and pastries
- Welcoming customers, informing them about specials or new products, answering questions and accepting orders and payments
- Operating the till and undertake cash reconciliation as required
- To receive incoming deliveries, distribute, maintain, and date rotate stock as appropriate. Assisting the accurate completion of regular stock checks
- Engage with volunteers to direct & lead by example to ensure they have a great volunteer experience
- Maintaining 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 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 Focussed
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 co-operation 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 things 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 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 28 August 2026. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
At Nineteen38 Coffee™ powered by Royal Voluntary Service our goal is to welcome everyone and build inclusive and diverse teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work.
To find out more about our commitment to EDI, visit our website.
Retail Customer Assistant at Nineteen38 Coffee Morton House in Luton - 25 hours employer: Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL)
Royal Voluntary Service is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture where you can make a real difference in the community. With opportunities for personal growth and development, as well as a competitive hourly rate, working at Leicester General Hospital allows you to thrive in a dynamic environment while providing essential services to patients and visitors.
Contact Details:
Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Customer Assistant at Nineteen38 Coffee Morton House in Luton - 25 hours
✨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!
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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 Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), may even transition seasonal workers into permanent positions if you impress them!
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 Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) 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 Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) 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 Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL) 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 Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL)
✨Mastering Brand Knowledge
As we're heading into a part-time retail role at Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), 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 Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL)!
