Customer Team Member reference: 1059654

This review offers a comprehensive look at the Customer Team Member opportunity at Co-op, designed to help potential candidates assess its suitability for their career aspirations.

Understanding the Customer Team Member Role at Co-op

The Co-op is seeking dedicated individuals to join their customer-facing teams, specifically at their Devonport, Plymouth location. This is a part-time, permanent position offering 12 hours per week with the potential for regular overtime, providing a degree of flexibility for those seeking supplementary employment or a role that fits around other commitments.

Key Advantages for Candidates:

• Competitive Pay: The role offers a starting pay of £12.60 per hour, a solid foundation for your earnings.
• Exceptional Benefits Package: Co-op stands out with its generous benefits, including 31 days of holiday (pro-rata for part-time), a pension scheme with up to a 10% employer contribution, and access to virtual healthcare services for you and your family. This demonstrates a strong commitment to employee wellbeing.
• Employee Discount: A significant perk is the 30% discount on all Co-op products in-store, and a 10% discount on other brands. This offers substantial savings for everyday shopping.
• Comprehensive Training and Development: Co-op provides full, paid training, ensuring you're well-equipped for the role. They also emphasize dedicated support for personal development and career progression, indicating a pathway for growth within the organization.
• Work-Life Balance Support: The inclusion of Wagestream, a money management app allowing access to earned pay, and a 24/7 employee assistance service highlight Co-op's focus on supporting employee financial and mental wellbeing.
• Flexible Working (with caveats): While the contract is for 12 hours, the availability of regular overtime and varied shifts including early mornings, afternoons, late evenings, and weekends provides potential for increased hours and a schedule that can be discussed at interview.
• Focus on Community and Fairness: Co-op's long-standing commitment to fairness, community involvement, and supportive policies for life events (bereavement, pregnancy loss, etc.) creates a unique and values-driven work environment.
• Inclusive Workplace: Co-op actively promotes diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and offering support for disabled candidates through the Disability Confident scheme.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Age Requirement: Due to the nature of the shifts, including potential work before 6 am or after 10 pm, applicants must be aged 18 or over.
• Shift Flexibility: The working pattern is described as "varied shifts." While this offers flexibility, candidates should be prepared for a rotating schedule that includes early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. Specific shift times will be discussed at the interview stage, so it's crucial to clarify expectations then.
• No CV Application: The application process is designed to be accessible via mobile devices without requiring a CV. While this streamlines the application, candidates may want to prepare for online assessments that are part of the process.
• Retail Environment: The role involves a broad range of tasks typical of a retail environment, including excellent customer service, till operation, restocking shelves, and maintaining store cleanliness.
• Rotas: Rotas are shared three weeks in advance and accessible via phone, offering a good level of foresight into your schedule.

Guidance for Career Path:

This Customer Team Member role is an excellent entry point into the retail sector and offers a solid foundation for individuals looking to develop customer service, teamwork, and operational skills. The emphasis on training and development suggests that this could be a stepping stone to more senior roles within Co-op, such as Team Leader or Supervisor, should you demonstrate aptitude and a desire to progress. The company's commitment to employee wellbeing and community engagement makes it an attractive option for those who value a supportive and purpose-driven work environment. If you are organized, enjoy interacting with people, and thrive in a dynamic setting, this opportunity could be a valuable addition to your career journey.