Sales Assistant

British Heart Foundation; North East; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Holistic support leave

Enhanced family policies

Wagestream

25% staff discount

Health cash plan

24/7 Virtual GP and EAP

Pension with employer contribution Up

Job summary

Durham-based part-time Sales Assistant role at the British Heart Foundation. You’ll be at the heart of our charity retail operation, delivering first-class customer service in a fast-paced, community-focused store.

Flexible to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota, with a 21-hour week on a 6-month fixed-term contract. No prior retail experience is required—what matters is enthusiasm, energy and a passion for sustainability.

Qualifications

• Must be 18+ years old.
• Retail experience not essential.
• Strong customer service focus and energy.
• Comfortable using till, PC, smartphone and email.
• Ability to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota.

Responsibilities

• Engage with customers, providing exceptional service and promoting our charity's mission.
• Organise and merchandise donated stock creatively to maximise sales potential.
• Collaborate with our E-Commerce team to maximise online sales.
• Assist with till operations and sorting donations as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Attention to detail

Job description

Would you like to be part of a retail team that are community based, offer amazing choice and genuine sustainability?

Look no further - join us as a Sales Assistant in Durham

This is a part time role working 21 hours a week in one of our busy clothing stores. Our stores are fast-paced and trade 7 days a week. This role requires flexibility to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.

You’ll join the team on a 6-month fixed term contract. Candidate must be fully flexible to work across 7 days per week including Weekends and Bank Holidays.

What does this role involve?

As a Sales Assistant you’ll be at the very heart of our retail operation. This is not just a standing behind the till or filling shelves type of role, we’re looking for someone who will deliver a first class customer service experience. It's a fun, fast-paced environment where no two days are the same and everyone works as a team.

Every day is different in charity retail, as well as working on the till or sorting donations, you can expect to:

• Engage with customers, providing exceptional service and promoting our charity's mission
• Organise and merchandise donated stock creatively to maximise sales potential
• Collaborate with our E-Commerce team to maximise online sales

As a Keyholder, you’ll be the go-to person when there isn’t a manager on duty, keeping the store running and ensuring our customers have a great experience. You’ll need to be 18+ years old to apply for this role.

Please note, this role can be physically demanding and will involve lifting large pieces of furniture / moving a high volume of donation bags.

You will be given lots of autonomy in your role and will strive to continually build your knowledge of BHF.

Previous retail experience isn’t essential. What truly counts is your passion, energy, and ability to deliver the very best customer service.

You’ll be confident within a team environment and comfortable guiding the activity of volunteers on the shop floor.

Able to work well under pressure and on your own initiative in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Attention to detail in everything you do.

Positive, creative, confident, customer service focussed and passionate about sustainability.

You’ll be comfortable with tech, able to use a Till, PC, Smartphone and e-mail with ease.

At the British Heart Foundation (BHF) we offer a huge range of new and used quality furniture, clothing, jewellery and more, available in store and online.

Since 1961, British Heart Foundation has been at the forefront of research that has helped to halve annual deaths from cardiovascular disease in the UK. But our work is needed more than ever.

In addition to raising funds for the BHF, we connect with our local communities and help reduce clothing and furniture waste across the UK. With over 700 stores we make a huge environmental impact by preventing around 70,000 tonnes of unwanted items going to landfill every year. We receive 1.6 million items donated to our home stores and 9.8 million bags of donated items and will continue to build upon our reuse agenda in the years to come.

Belonging at BHF

BHF values the diversity of our communities and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and valued. By fostering a culture of inclusion, we believe we are better equipped to achieve our mission of helping people have a healthier heart for longer.

Why join the BHF?

We have a strong culture of internal progression and will actively support you to develop your career.

Our generous staff benefits include:

• 38 days annual leave (plus the option sell leave)
• Holistic support leave of up to 10 additional days off each year
• Enhanced family policies (maternity, paternity and adoption leave)
• Wagestream - early access to your wages
• 25% staff discount
• Health cash plan (Dental, Optical, Therapies, etc)
• Access to a 24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Pension with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on gym memberships
• Discounts with a wide range of retailers