Retail Customer Assistant

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

Job summary

A charitable service provider has an opportunity for a part-time Retail Customer Assistant at Sunderland Royal Hospital. The role involves providing outstanding customer service, maintaining cleanliness, and managing stock. Applicants should have a friendly demeanor and be willing to adapt to various customer needs. Offering a competitive salary of £12.43 per hour, benefits include 26 days’ holiday and professional development opportunities. Join us in making a difference in the community!

Benefits

26 days’ holiday

Employee assistance programme

Training opportunities

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a retail or cafe environment is preferred but not mandatory.
• Ability to adapt communication to meet customer needs.
• Proficient literacy and numeracy skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide efficient and friendly customer service at all times.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards.
• Replenish stock and prepare drinks and food.
• Engage with volunteers and lead by example.

Skills

Outstanding customer service

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Flexibility

Job description

Job Description

Royal Voluntary Service has an opportunity available for a Retail Customer Assistant to join our team at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP.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 Sunderland Royal 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

16 hours per week, 4 x 4 Hours to be worked across 7 days. 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 communications 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. Provide friendly, helpful, and efficient customer service at all times.

• 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 undertake cash reconciliation as required
• To receive incoming deliveries, distribute, maintain, and date rotate stock as appropriate. Assist in the accurate completion of regular stock checks
• Engage 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

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.

Job Benefits

• Salary of £12.43 per hour (FTE £22,638 per annum)
• 26 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus paid statutory Bank Holidays (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 Retail Customer Assistant please click ‘apply’ today, we’d love to hear from you!

The closing date for this role is 12 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 Retail Assistant, Shop Assistant, Café Assistant, Store Assistant, Retail Sales Assistant, or Customer Service Assistant.