Retail Assistant – Hanley
Job Type: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week
Location: Hanley, Staffordshire
Salary: £14,325 actual per annum, £23,875 per annum Full time equivalent
Must be fully flexible over 7 days to include working during our busiest trading days Saturday and/or Sunday up to 22.5 hours per week
Application deadline: 30th September 2025 however may close earlier if over subscribed
Telephone Interview date: 3rd October 2025
Face-to-Face Interview date: 8th October 2025
Are you a highly motivated, dynamic, retail focused individual with a strong flair for fashion and merchandising?
About us
We are Katharine House Hospice, and we're dedicated to providing compassionate care to people in our community affected by progressive illnesses. Everyone here plays an integral role in making this possible.
We value people – so much so, it's one of our three key values as a charity.
The role
As our Retail Assistant, you'll play a vital role in supporting the whole team, who in turn support the whole charity. You will be helping us to deliver first class customer service and maintain shop standards ensuring consistently high standards in the services we offer and how the shop looks.
Our store environment changes every day and the list of duties will be varied, no one day is the same. You can be expected to work between the shop floor and workroom ensuring stock rotation is met. A wide variety of stock is processed through the store including items of furniture, electrical goods, bric-a-brac and books and clothing.
This is a physically demanding position working in a very busy large charity retail superstore, which will include lifting and carrying bags, boxes and items of furniture on a daily basis
What we offer
* Annual leave
33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after five and 10 years' service.
* Pension scheme
We match contributions up to 7% to a NEST scheme. If you're currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so.
* Death in service benefit
Reassurance should the worst happen. 2 x salary to your family.
* Employee assistance programme
Providing support for your wellbeing.
* Training and development opportunities
Continuous learning and professional growth.
* Occupational sick pay
Support during times of illness.
* Healthcare cash benefit plan
Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses.
* Free parking
Skills and experience
We're looking for someone who is professional and approachable and has:
* experience or an interest in retail
* excellent customer service skills
* a positive 'can do' attitude
Join us and make a difference
If you're passionate about people and want to contribute to a mission that matters, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help us continue to provide exceptional care and support to those who need it most.
If you'd like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact the HR Department on
How to apply –
To the link below to submit a CV via indeed
Closing date: 30th September 2025, however may close earlier if over subscribed
Internal applicants should apply via an expression of interest outlining the reasons for your interest and detailing any relevant experience.
Job Description
Area of Work: Retail Department
Responsible to: Store Manager
Mission
"We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we support those close to them."
Department Objectives
Katharine House Hospice provides all its services free of charge to patients and their families. In order to do this funds need to be raised, Katharine House Retail is key to this, maximising the funds it can raise through the sale of donated items and other merchandising.
Role within the Department
To assist the manager in the running of the retail store ensuring its success in meeting all company objectives, in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Function and Responsibilities
Specific Objectives
As Sales Assistant you will help us to deliver first class customer service and maintain shop standards. You will ensure consistently high standards in the services we offer and how the shop looks.
This dynamic environment changes every day and the list of duties will be varied, no one day is the same. You can be expected to work between the shop floor and workroom ensuring stock rotation is met. A wide variety of stock is processed through the store including items of furniture, electrical goods, bric-a-brac and books and clothing.
The post holder will ensure they comply with Katharine House policies and procedures.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Sales
* Ensuring the highest standards of customer service at all times, reporting any customer complaints to the Line Manager
* Keeping up to date with special promotions and putting up displays as directed by the Store Manager
* Greeting customers who enter the shop
* Reporting discrepancies and problems to the Duty Manager of the day
* Being responsible for processing cash and card payments
* Assisting shoppers to find the goods and products they are looking for
* Actively encourage Gift Aid donations, managing the process within the store
* Receiving and storing the delivery of stock, this will include items of furniture
* Stocking shelves with merchandise
Shop Appearance
* Maintain a high standard of presentation throughout
* Achieve and maintain high standards of housekeeping, organisation and cleanliness throughout the shop premises
Stock
* Actively encourage the public to donate saleable stock
* Ensure there is adequate flow of stock from the stockroom to the shop floor, and a continual availability of stock on key lines at all times
* To sort, grade, steam, and ticket merchandise
* This role will demand moving a lot of stock on a daily basis, including heavy items
Administration and Security
* Ensure all relevant administration/ operational systems are completed on time
* Undertake banking in accordance with Katharine House procedures ensuring that cash handling and security procedures are adhered to
* Notify the Line Manager or Area Manager in the event of a suspected theft or dishonesty by any member of staff or volunteer
* Responsible for security within the store and being on the lookout for shoplifters and fraudulent credit cards etc.
Health and Safety (H&S)
* Provide a safe environment for staff, volunteers and the public.
* Comply with Health and Safety in line the organisation's H&S Policy and Procedures, this includes the safe use of equipment, reporting of accidents and incidents and wearing of identified Personal Protective Equipment
Other Tasks and Responsibilities
* Travel to other organisational premises as and when required, for example to attend training courses or meetings
* Supporting other Katharine House retail stores on an occasional basis
* Any other duties as required
Key Competencies and Skills Requirements
Qualifications
Essential
None
Desirable
A retail background
Competencies
Essential
* Having a friendly and engaging personality
* Comfortable working with members of the public
* Should have a confident manner
* Must be helpful and polite and of smart appearance
* Assistants should be physically fit as they will be on their feet for most of the day and may be required to lift large amounts of stock to include items of furniture
* You should have a comprehensive understanding of your area of sales
* Able to work as part of a sales team
* Be flexible, approachable and available
* Ability to use a till
* An understanding of the importance of H&S legislation & a willingness to attend & successfully pass a relevant H&S induction
Desirable
* Own adequately insured roadworthy vehicle
General Induction Requirements
* To attend an Induction Training Course held at the Hospice.
Post Holder Specific Training Requirements.
* To attend any training courses relating to the development of this position.
* To attend all statutory training.
* To wear all statutory PPE.
Smoking
Katharine House operates a no smoking policy for all premises.
Smoking is not permitted in Katharine House vehicles at any time.
Job Revision
The post holder should be aware that this job description is expected to alter at review meetings. As the Organisation develops the job description will change to reflect the needs of the business.
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Retail Assistant
Qualifications
* Good Basic Education - Desirable
Experience
* Retail background - Desirable
* Flexible approach to work - Essential
* Working/volunteering in the charitable sector - Desirable
Skills and attributes
* Organisational skills - Desirable
* Able to communicate with others - Essential
* Able to liaise effectively - Essential
* Able to multi task - Essential
* Able to work to deadlines - Essential
* Self-motivated - Essential
* Attention to detail - Essential
Other
* Flexible attitude
* Positive attitude
* Team Player
* Good interpersonal skills
* Pride in your work
* Own transport
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £14,325.00 per year
Expected hours: 22.5 per week
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Company events
* Company pension
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Life insurance
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Application question(s):
* Do you require sponsorship? Please note we do not provide sponsorship.
* Are you flexible to work weekends?
* Do you have retail experience?
Work Location: In person