Community Shop Assistant Work placement

Job Title: Shop Assistant – 8 Week Work Placement

Directly Responsible to: Shop Manager

Duration: 8 weeks

Hours: 15 hours per week

Pay: Glasgow Living Wage

Working Pattern:

• Monday: 8:45am – 1:45pm

• Tuesday: 8:45am – 1:45pm

• Friday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

About the Placement

The Cabin is Cranhill Development Trust’s community shop, providing affordable fresh food, groceries and other essential products to the local community.

This 8-week paid placement is designed for someone who has little or no previous work experience, or who has been out of work for a significant period and would benefit from recent workplace experience.

The successful candidate must have a genuine desire to gain experience, develop their skills and confidence, and use the placement as a step towards securing employment.

Working alongside our friendly and supportive team, the Shop Assistant will gain practical experience in customer service, cash handling, stock management, merchandising and the day-to-day running of a busy community shop.

The Cabin is also an important part of the wider work of Cranhill Development Trust. The shop team builds relationships with local people, promotes CDT’s activities and services, and supports wider community activities including cooking classes, community meals, older people’s activities and holiday programmes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Customer service – Welcome customers into The Cabin, provide friendly and helpful service and assist customers with their shopping needs.

• Till and cash handling – Learn to use the shop till and process cash and card transactions accurately, following CDT’s cash-handling procedures.

• Stock replenishment – Help keep shelves well stocked and organised, monitor stock levels and let the Shop Manager know when products are running low.

• Stock rotation – Check use-by and best-before dates, rotate stock appropriately and help reduce food waste.

• Deliveries – Assist with receiving deliveries, checking stock against orders and putting products away correctly.

• Merchandising and promotions – Help create attractive shop displays and contribute ideas for seasonal products and promotions.

• Nearly New – Help organise and maintain the Nearly New section and make customers aware of the service.

• Meals in a Bag – Help prepare, display and promote CDT’s Meals in a Bag, including ingredients and recipe cards.

• CDT activities and services – Learn about the wider work of Cranhill Development Trust so you can provide customers with basic information and direct them to the appropriate member of staff for further support.

• Cleaning and presentation – Help keep The Cabin clean, tidy, welcoming and safe, including keeping floors and walkways clear and maintaining high standards throughout the shop. These responsibilities reflect the core shop duties within the existing role.

• Teamwork – Work positively with colleagues, ask for support when required and contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the shop.

What You Will Gain From the Placement

During the eight weeks, you will have the opportunity to develop:

• Customer service and communication skills

• Retail and till experience

• Cash-handling skills

• Stock management and rotation skills

• Merchandising and shop presentation skills

• Teamworking skills

• Confidence in a workplace environment

• Experience of working within a community organisation

• Recent work experience to support future job applications

Person Specification

Essential:

• Has little or no previous work experience, or has been out of work for a significant period of time

• Has a clear desire to gain work experience and use the placement as a step towards securing employment

• Motivated to learn, develop new skills and build confidence in the workplace

• Friendly and welcoming manner

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Reliable and able to attend the agreed placement hours

• Able to work positively as part of a team

• Basic numeracy and literacy skills

• Positive approach to customer service

• Willingness to follow instructions, procedures and health and safety requirements

Desirable:

• An interest in working in retail or customer service

• Basic technology skills

Previous retail or customer service experience is not required. This placement is specifically intended to provide an opportunity for someone who would benefit from gaining practical and recent workplace experience.

Support and Progression

The purpose of the placement is not only to provide eight weeks of paid work, but to help the successful candidate take their next step towards employment.

Throughout the placement, the successful candidate will receive on-the-job training and support from the CDT team. They will also have access to employability support to help them prepare for their next steps.

On successful completion of the eight-week placement, the candidate will:

• Receive an employment reference from Cranhill Development Trust

• Receive support to update or develop their CV

• Receive support with job searching and applications

• Be supported to identify suitable employment, training or development opportunities

• Leave with recent workplace experience and examples of skills they can demonstrate to future employers

The aim is for the successful candidate to complete the placement with increased confidence, practical work experience and a clear pathway towards employment.

How To Apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter to michelle.cassidy@jbg.org.uk quoting Community shop assistant in the subject line