Retail Customer Assistant - Retail & Cafe at Borders General Hospital

Royal Voluntary Service; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

A community support organization in Melrose is seeking a Retail Customer Assistant to join the team at Borders General Hospital. You will provide friendly customer service while maintaining cleanliness and supporting the busy retail site. Ideal candidates should possess excellent communication skills and a positive can-do attitude. This part-time role offers £12.43 per hour, along with various benefits including holiday and training opportunities.

Benefits

26 days’ holiday plus paid statutory Bank Holidays

Company sick pay after probation

Pension scheme

Employee benefits package

24-hour doctor line

Confidential employee assistance programme

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a retail or café environment is advantageous but not essential.
• Ability to deliver outstanding customer service.
• Proficient level of literacy and numeracy.

Responsibilities

• Providing friendly and efficient service to customers.
• Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards.
• Ensuring stock and displays are replenished.

Skills

Customer service skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Can-do attitude

Flexibility in working hours

Familiarity with email and internet

Tools

EPOS / till systems knowledge

Job description

Retail Customer Assistant - Retail & Cafe at Borders General Hospital

Retail Voluntary Service is looking for a Retail Customer Assistant to join our team at Borders General Hospital, RVS Shop, Melrose, United Kingdom, TD6 9BS.

Base pay range

Competitive salary of £12.43 per hour (FTE £22,638 per annum) for a part‑time, permanent position.

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 Borders General Hospital.

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

Hours: 10 hours a week, working 2 shifts over 7 days which will include weekend work as per rota. Rota covers Store trading hours between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday, Saturday & Sunday between 9am and 6pm. 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.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a retail or café 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

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

Closing date: 03 December 2025. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

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!

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.

Other organisations may call this role Retail Assistant, Shop Assistant, Café Assistant, Store Assistant, Retail Sales Assistant, or Customer Service Assistant.