Description Post title and post number Retail Assistant College/Budget Centre Business and Operations School/Department Various Full time/Part time Part Time Duration of the Post 13 weeks Hourly Rate Grade 2, £13.06 plus holiday entitlement Additional information N/A Terms and Conditions Professional Services Grades 2-5 Closing Date 01/01/2026, 23:55 Job Family Framework Estates, Facilities and Campus Services Grade 2 Please note that in the near future we will be hiring for a range of customer service roles, meaning are we are in particular looking for students with diverse interest and experience across roles such as baristas, bartenders, etc. If you are interested and have relevant experience in any of these roles please also include this in your application and answer the relevant questions as a part of the application process. Background The University of Birmingham is a global institution working within a diverse and vibrant City, offering an inspiring education to our students, and undertaking critically important research. We are a place of open, critical thinking, and the creation, sharing and dissemination of knowledge. Professional Services put students at the heart of all they do and enable an exceptional educational experience. They provide outstanding support to our researchers and help the University to grow its influence regionally, nationally, and globally. They ensure the University’s resources are used wisely, manage and improve the infrastructure which sits at the heart of the institution, and support decisions to be made quickly and based on sound evidence. Our Birmingham Professional programme operates across the University, supporting colleagues to network and collaborate, offering opportunities to learn and develop, contributing to the delivery of the University’s objectives, and helping everyone to understand the broader context within which we work. Department overview Campus Services (CS) employs over 900 staff with a turnover exceeding £65m in the last financial year. CS plays a key role in the quality of the student, staff, and visitor experience, providing services across diverse areas such as the University’s sporting facilities, food and beverage, cleaning, conferencing, hotel operations, day nurseries, Portering, post, branded and own-brand retail outlets, visitor services and attractions (e.g., Winterbourne House & Gardens), student housing, transport, waste disposal and recycling. CS is a highly commercial organisation operating within the University context and has an ambitious strategic agenda, in terms of growing our service profile across both our Birmingham and Dubai campuses. The Business and Operations department offers a variety of outlets to staff, students and visitors across campus and also in student accommodation from small coffee shops to large restaurants. We also provide hospitality services for conferences and events held on campus and further afield. Job summary You will be responsible for providing excellent customer service in any one of those retail areas/outlets. This post will involve basic food preparation, the provision of a high quality retail service, cash handling, cleaning and stock control, together with any other duties required to ensure the smooth running of the business and operations service we offer to our diverse range of customers. In order to flexibly use resource you may be required to work elsewhere in the department or wider University. Customer Service Greet and serve customers in a professional, responsive courteous, friendly manner, including answering queries and dealing with situations that arise, to deliver the highest level of customer service. Building rapport with customers whenever possible and encouraging customer feedback. Maintain a professional working relationship with all colleagues. Business Requirements Undertake basic retail preparation and standards to deliver quality products to the customer. Ensure a correct standard of stock rotation is followed whilst maintaining adequate stock levels, adjusting orders as required and making sure that retail products are used prior to the best before date. Ensuring merchandising standards are met. Report any equipment failures and hazards to either the Supervisor/Manager/Supplier in a timely manner. Ensure all merchandising standards are adhered to as directed by the Supervisor/Manager and in line with Operations Manuals. Maintain control on all retail wastage and record as required. Ensure that all Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) hygiene and allergen recording systems and retail receipt procedures are carried out and correctly recorded. Conform and adhere to all Health and Safety Codes of Practice and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations at all times. Assist with the transportation of stock and equipment from one location to another as required, following hygiene and health and safety protocols. Operate electronic point of sale (EPOS) terminals and handle cash effectively, including opening and end of day procedures, cashing up and ensuring the security of all monies; if required in secure areas. Perform cleaning tasks to a high standard at all times, following standard operating procedures, ensuring the regularly removal of rubbish as necessary and ensuring a clean environment. Ensure the thorough cleaning of all equipment, retail fixtures and fittings, walls, fridges, tables and accompaniments and all work areas and surfaces and to ensure they are sanitised before the end of each shift. On occasion, you may be required to place orders for food and stock, and/or undertake stock takes as directed by your manager. If serving restricted items, ensure compliance with the relevant licensing laws. Team Work Actively seek opportunities to increase sales by upselling products and make recommendations as directed by your manager. Participate in any training and development activities as required. Be supportive to colleagues. Attend all team briefs/training and departmental meetings as required. Be actively involved in an annual personal development review with your line manager/supervisor. Undertake any other reasonable duties or requests (other than those stated in the job description) as requested by a senior member of staff including driving UoB vehicles when required (if you hold a clean driving license). Treats everyone with dignity and respect, supporting equality and valuing diversity. Operational requirements This roles working hours are inclusive of weekdays, weekends, bank holidays and closed days on a rota basis, including evening work activities. Operational windows will vary by business unit/activity. The postholder will primarily focus on one area – front of house, back of house or logistics. The postholder may be required to work in other areas of the business occasionally subject to business need. To undertake works activities across all UoB campuses as requested that are commensurate with the grade and role activities to support the Division and wider UoB activities. Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture. Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience Experience and knowledge of working in a busy, customer facing role, with previous experience of working in a retail environment being an advantage A Retail training certificate is desirable – although full training will be provided A commitment to providing a quality service Positive communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team Ability to maintain a high standard of personal appearance. Some parts of a uniform is provided for this purpose. Work patterns may vary so a flexible approach to working hours and days is essential Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect own area (e.g. Customer preferences/dress code) Full clean driving license desirable Dimensions This role is concerned with providing a quality customer service in the provision of retail. Planning and organising The post holder will follow instructions from their supervisor in terms of day to day focus, working in response to customer orders or to planned activities in preparation areas or stockrooms. They will need to maintain an awareness of how their work links with others, and to ensure certain activities are completed within a shift. Problem solving and decision making The role will undertake a variety of activities that are very similar in nature, with most problems arising being ones that have been seen before, with the role holder knowing how to resolve it from experience, but will refer to a manager if assistance is required. Internal and external relationships This role will be a customer facing role and will be expected to be polite, responsive, friendly and courteous at all times, dealing with enquiries in a professional manner that leaves customers feeling well treated. Our Shared Values Each professional services area will outline how the values apply in their area and the behaviours expected from colleagues to ensure we embed them in everything we do Ambitious We are confident in the University of Birmingham and project this globally. We are focused on our goals, are clear about our strengths, and pursue our own direction. We are bold and take intelligent risks. Innovative We enjoy being the first to do things. Inspired by our Birmingham heritage, we are resourceful, creative, grounded, and practical, and seek to make a real and positive difference to the world around us. Open We welcome colleagues, collaborators, and students from across the world to work and study with us. We are committed to academic freedom, freedom of speech, and equality of opportunity for all. We expect everyone to act with sensitivity, respect, and fairness. Collaborative The major challenges facing our city, nation, and the world cannot be solved if we act alone. We enhance our research and education by pursuing creative partnerships within and beyond the University. Responsible We operate with transparency, trust, and respect. We value our role as an anchor institution for Birmingham. We strive to be an excellent employer, to reduce inequalities in access to education, and to place sustainability at the heart of our work. The University of Birmingham restricts all students to working up to 20 hours per week during term time. If your application is successful and your course does not follow the usual academic term timetable (e.g. PGT, PGR or PhD student), you and your supervisor must formally agree vacation periods if this role exceeds 20 hours per week. In addition to this, please be aware if you are an International student you will be required to apply to the Registry for the appropriate Authorised Absence. You are only eligible to apply to this role if you are a current University of Birmingham student. If you are not a University of Birmingham student your application will not be considered. To work you will need to carry out a right to work check. These checks will need to be completed prior to work commencing.