Review: Customer Team Member Opportunity at Co-op (Mile Oak Road, Portslade, Brighton)
This Customer Team Member role at Co-op presents a fantastic opportunity for individuals seeking a part-time position with a reputable organisation that prioritizes its people and communities. If you're looking for a role that combines customer service with hands-on store operations and offers a strong benefits package, this could be an excellent fit for your career path.
Key Advantages for Candidates:
- Commitment to Employee Wellbeing: Co-op stands out with its comprehensive support for colleague wellbeing. This includes access to virtual healthcare services for your family (GP appointments, mental health support, and more), a 24/7 employee assistance service, and market-leading policies to support you through significant life events. This demonstrates a genuine investment in your personal and professional life.
- Exceptional Benefits Package: Beyond the competitive hourly rate of £12.60, candidates will benefit from 31 days of holiday (pro-rata for part-time), a generous pension scheme with up to 10% employer contributions, and a significant 30% discount on all Co-op products. The inclusion of Wagestream, a money management app, offers valuable financial support.
- Career Development and Training: Co-op offers full, paid training and dedicated support for your personal development and career progression. This means you won't just be learning the ropes; you'll be supported in growing your skills and advancing within the company.
- Inclusive and Supportive Environment: The organization actively fosters an inclusive workplace, celebrating differences and aiming for teams that reflect the diversity of their communities. They are part of the Disability Confident scheme, ensuring a supportive recruitment process for candidates with disabilities.
- Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: While requiring early morning shifts and weekend availability (to be discussed), the role offers a guaranteed 12 hours per week with regular overtime opportunities, providing a degree of flexibility. Rotas are shared three weeks in advance and are accessible via mobile, aiding in personal planning.
- Community Engagement: This role offers the chance to support your local community through involvement in various activities and events, aligning with Co-op's strong community ethos.
- Convenient Application Process: The ability to apply using a mobile device without needing a CV simplifies the initial application stage, making it accessible for a wider range of candidates.
Key Considerations for Candidates:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be aged 18 or over due to the nature of early morning and late-night working, which is a core aspect of some shifts.
- Shift Patterns: The role involves early morning shifts starting at 6 am and weekend work. While flexible to a degree, candidates should be prepared for these early starts and weekend commitments. Specific working patterns will be discussed at the interview.
- Varied Responsibilities: The role encompasses a broad range of duties, including customer service at tills and on the shop floor, restocking shelves, cleaning, and working in the in-store bakery. Candidates should be comfortable with a dynamic and varied workload.
- Application Assessments: The application process includes two online assessments that take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Candidates should be prepared to dedicate this time to the application.
Guidance for Career Path:
This Customer Team Member position is an excellent entry point into retail and customer-facing roles. For individuals starting their careers, it offers invaluable experience in customer service, teamwork, and operational efficiency. For those seeking a part-time role to supplement other commitments, the structured hours and benefits provide a stable and rewarding option. The emphasis on training and development at Co-op means that motivated individuals can leverage this role as a stepping stone to further opportunities within the organization, potentially moving into supervisory or more specialized roles.
If you possess a genuine care for customers, strong interpersonal skills, and a positive, adaptable attitude, this role at Co-op offers a fulfilling opportunity within a company that truly values its colleagues and the communities it serves.