Temporary Retail Assistant
Our working environment could not be more different from a typical Retail setting – where else could you stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?
What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?
As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members. Each year, we have a number of exciting temporary opportunities within our Retail, Operation, Admissions and Food and Beverage teams, to undertake a variety of tasks such as picking stock in our warehouse, stewarding the car parks, working in our gift shops, welcoming guests, or face painting. No two days will be the same!
The Role
Our Retail Assistants will have the opportunity to work in all areas of retail at the Zoo – you could be working in one of our gift shops, one of our busy kiosks, in our retail stores. Duties will include delivering the highest standards of customer service daily, delivering sales targets, visual merchandising of products, upselling, unit cleaning, cash handling, stock control and replenishment. This also involves working in our off‑site shop including Chester market.
Flexibility in these roles is key, so the successful candidates must be able to work up to 5 days out of 7 every week, minimum contracted hours 8 hours weekly increasing during the busy periods. This will include evenings until 10pm, weekends, mid‑week and bank holidays as rostered, to cover all needs of the business.
The Package
* Temporary contract, starting 3rd November 2025, until 4 January 2026
* £12.21 per hour
* Annual leave accrued based on hours of work
* Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus complimentary tickets for your friends and family.
* Free bus travel available from Chester and Ellesmere Port train stations
Our Requirements
* Be passionate about excellent customer service and feel confident communicating with visitors.
* Be positive, flexible and approachable with a “can do” attitude.
* Enjoy exceeding targets and up selling.
* Be comfortable and able to work outside for long periods in all weathers.
Although not essential, experience gained within a retail or visitor attraction environment would be advantageous.
Shortlisting of applications for the role will take place while the advert is live; interviews will be held on 22nd October.
Join our team and help prevent extinction!
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