Retail Customer Assistant at Wigmore Valley Park in Luton

Royal Voluntary Service cafés are part of the fabric of the community 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.

Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for 2x Retail Customer Assistants to join our team at Royal Voluntary Service Café Wigmore Valley Park, 66 Eaton Green Road, Luton, LU2 9JB. You will join us on a part‑time, fixed‑term contract basis until 30/09/2026 (contract end date may be subject to change) and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £12.43 (£22,638 FTE).

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: 21 hours per week, working flexibly on Monday to Wednesday 8.30am – 4:00pm, note this will include Bank holidays. Please note opening hours may be extended to 6pm and working hours subject to change. There may also be opportunities for paid overtime in busy periods or to cover absence.

What You'll Bring:

• Previous experience in a retail or café environment would be an advantage, but training will be given.
• The 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.

Job Responsibilities:

• To ensure the effective operation of the retail outlet and maintain outstanding store standards while providing friendly, helpful, and excellent customer service to all customers, maximising a great shopping experience.
• Preparing hot and cold drinks (café).
• Serving freshly made food such as cakes, sandwiches, and pastries (café).
• Receiving incoming deliveries, distributing, maintaining, and dating stock as appropriate.
• Assist in the accurate completion of regular stock checks.
• Engaging with volunteers to direct & lead by example to ensure they have a great volunteer experience.
• This role may involve pushing loaded trolleys of stock for distances.

Job Benefits:

• Salary of £12.43 per hour (£22,638 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 × 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.

If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Retail Customer Assistant please click ‘apply’ today, we’d love to hear from you! The closing date for this role is 16 April 2026. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

At 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.