Retail Customer Assistant

Royal Voluntary Service; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A charitable organization in the UK is looking for a part-time Retail Customer Assistant at Loughborough Hospital. The role involves providing excellent customer service, operating tills, and maintaining cleanliness. Applicants should be friendly, organized, and able to communicate well. A positive attitude is essential. Benefits include competitive pay and opportunities for training and career development.

Benefits

Competitive pay

26 days’ holiday, pro rata

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a retail or cafe environment is advantageous, training will be provided.
• Ability to deliver outstanding customer service is essential.
• Demonstrated high level of organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Welcome customers and inform them about specials or new products.
• Operate the till and undertake cash reconciliation.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene as per standards.

Skills

Outstanding customer service

Excellent communication skills

Organisational skills

Literacy and numeracy

Tools

EPOS / till systems

Job description

Job Description

Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for a Retail Customer Assistant to join our team at Loughborough Hospital, Hospital Way, LE11 5JYl. You will join us on a part-time, permanent basis, and in return, you will receive a competitive salary of £12.43 per hour (FTE £22,638 per annum).

About the Retail Customer Assistant Role

Royal Voluntary Service hospital cafes, shops and trolleys are part of the fabric of the NHS 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. Working alongside a friendly team of employees and volunteers, you will participate in the day‑to‑day running of our busy retail sites at Loughborough Hospital.

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: 1 x 6hr shift 9.30 - 3.30 (6 hours on Sunday with flexibility to cover Saturdays). Our retail sites are open on weekends and bank holidays. There may also be opportunities for paid overtime in busy periods or to cover absence.

What You'll Bring As Our Retail Customer Assistant

Working in a hospital requires a special kind of customer service. Your ability to communicate with a variety of people in a friendly and cheerful way will make a real difference to someone’s day. The key is to adapt your approach to each person to ensure their needs are met.

Job Requirements

This is what we're looking for:

• Previous experience in a retail or cafe environment would be an advantage, but training will be given – just make sure you have a positive attitude and can‑do mindset along with a willingness to work and we’ll teach you the rest
• 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

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.

• Welcoming customers, informing them about specials or new products, answering questions and accepting orders and payments
• Preparing hot and cold drinks (Café)
• Serving freshly made food such as cake, sandwiches, and pastries (Café)
• Operating the till and undertaking cash reconciliation as required
• Receiving incoming deliveries, distributing, maintaining, and date‑rotating stock as appropriate; assisting in the accurate completion of regular stock checks
• Engaging with volunteers to direct & lead by example to ensure they have a great volunteer experience
• Maintaining a 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 long distances

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 Focused

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.

Job Benefits

• Salary of £13.19 per hour (FTE £24,023 per annum)
• 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• 2 days of Volunteer Leaver a year, pro rata
• 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 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 have the skills and experience to become our Service Coordinator please click ‘apply’ today, we’d love to hear from you!

This is the latest you'll be able to apply

The closing date for this role is 19 February 2026. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. Please do not delay your application we often get a lot!

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. To find out more about our commitment to EDI, visit our website.

Join Royal Voluntary Service and together we can change lives, change communities and change society.

Other organisations may call this role Project Support Co‑ordinator, Care Co‑ordinator, and Volunteer Co‑ordinator.