Retail Customer Assistant - Retail & Cafe at Sunderland Royal Hospital

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

Job summary

A prominent healthcare support organization is seeking a Retail Customer Assistant at Sunderland Royal Hospital. This part-time role offers £12.43 per hour with a flexible schedule across 7 days. Responsibilities include providing excellent customer service, preparing food and drinks, and maintaining cleanliness. Ideal candidates will have a positive attitude and strong communication skills. Join our team to make a difference in the community.

Benefits

Salary of £12.43 per hour

26 days’ holiday (pro rata)

Company sick pay

Great pension scheme

Employee benefits package

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a retail or cafe environment would be an advantage while training will be provided.
• Ability to deliver outstanding customer service.
• Flexible approach towards working hours.

Responsibilities

• Provide friendly, helpful service at all times.
• Ensure effective operation of the retail outlet maintaining outstanding standards.
• Serve freshly made food and drinks.

Skills

Outstanding customer service

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Tools

EPOS / till systems

Job description

Overview

Retail Customer Assistant at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, SR4 7TP. Part-time, permanent role. Salary: £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. You will work alongside a friendly team of employees and volunteers, participating in the day-to-day running of our busy retail sites at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Hours

15 hours per week. This will be worked flexibly across 7 days, comprising 3 x 5 hour shifts. 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

What You’ll Bring / Requirements

• 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 a can-do mindset along with 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
• Enjoy working within a passionate team of employees and volunteers, as well as working on your own on occasions
• Proficient 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(s) in maintaining outstanding store standards, whilst providing friendly, helpful, and excellent customer service to all customers
• 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 and 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

What Else You Need To Know

Delivers Objectives – Strives to deliver what is expected or required; dependable and thorough. Quality Orientation – Pays attention to detail and adheres to policy and standards. Team Working – Enjoys collaborating with others. Service Delivery Focused – Identifies and focuses on individual customer needs. Following Directions – Willing to comply with standards and instructions. Interpersonal Sensitivity – Interacts respectfully with others. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Values difference and promotes inclusive behaviour.

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
• Employee benefits package with discounts and cashback
• 24-hour doctor line, financial support with dental/optical and other therapies
• Free and confidential employee assistance programme with up to six counselling sessions
• Extensive online and on-the-job training
• Opportunities for flexible working and skill development
• Positive, lasting impact on lives, communities and society

If you have the skills and experience to become our Retail Customer Assistant, please click ‘apply’ today.

The closing date for this role is 9 October 2025. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. Please do not delay your application; we often receive many.

Join Royal Voluntary Service and help us change lives, communities and society. Other organisations may call this role Retail Assistant, Shop Assistant, Café Assistant, Store Assistant, Retail Sales Assistant, or Customer Service Assistant.