Customer Team Member reference: 1059575

This review provides an in-depth look at the Customer Team Member opportunity at Co-op, located at Sandygate Park Shopping Centre, The Rings, Ingleby Barwick, TS17 5GW. Designed to help potential candidates understand the role and its career advantages, this overview highlights key benefits and considerations.

Your Opportunity as a Customer Team Member

Co-op is seeking dedicated Customer Team Members to join their friendly team. This role offers a blend of customer service, operational tasks, and community involvement, making it a dynamic and rewarding position for individuals passionate about providing excellent service and contributing to a local business.

Key Advantages for Your Career Path:

• Valuable Retail Experience: This role provides hands-on experience in all aspects of retail operations, from direct customer interaction at the tills and on the shop floor to stock management and maintaining store standards. This experience is foundational for anyone looking to build a career in the retail sector.
• Comprehensive Training: Co-op offers full, paid training, ensuring you are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your role. This commitment to development supports your growth from day one.
• Career Progression Support: The company emphasizes personal development and career progression, indicating a commitment to nurturing talent and offering pathways for advancement within the Co-op network.
• Exceptional Benefits Package: As a Co-op colleague, you'll enjoy a generous benefits package, including:
  • 31 days of holiday (pro-rata for part-time colleagues), offering excellent work-life balance.
  • A pension scheme with up to 10% Co-op contribution, supporting your long-term financial security.
  • Virtual healthcare services for you and your family, providing access to GP appointments, mental health support, and more.
  • A significant 30% discount on all Co-op products and 10% on other brands, offering substantial savings.
  • Access to Wagestream, a money management app, for early access to earned wages.
  • A 24/7 employee assistance service for comprehensive wellbeing support.
• Focus on Wellbeing and Fairness: Co-op is renowned for its commitment to fairness and colleague wellbeing. They offer market-leading policies to support colleagues through life events and a focus on physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Community Engagement: This role offers opportunities to support your local community by getting involved in various activities and events, fostering a sense of purpose and local connection.
• Flexibility and Predictability: While shifts are varied, including early mornings, afternoons, late evenings, and weekends, rotas are shared three weeks in advance and accessible on your phone, offering a degree of predictability for planning.
• Inclusive Workplace: Co-op is dedicated to building diverse teams and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential. They actively welcome applications from all backgrounds and have commitments to the Disability Confident scheme.

Key Considerations for Potential Candidates:

• Work Pattern: The role requires a commitment of 20 hours per week with the potential for regular overtime. The working pattern includes varied shifts, encompassing store opening and closing times, as well as weekends. Flexibility in your availability will be crucial.
• Customer-Centric Approach: Success in this role hinges on a genuine care for customers and members. You'll need to be adept at responding to queries, promoting products, and ensuring a positive shopping experience.
• Teamwork and Problem-Solving: The ability to work effectively with colleagues to solve customer issues and a positive approach to change and problem-solving are essential qualities for this team-oriented environment.
• Physical Demands: The role involves a range of tasks including stocking shelves and maintaining store cleanliness, which may require periods of standing, bending, and lifting.
• Application Process: The application involves completing two online assessments, taking approximately 20 minutes. This streamlined process allows for easy application, even via mobile devices, and eliminates the need for a traditional CV.

This Customer Team Member position at Co-op offers a robust foundation for a career in retail, characterized by excellent benefits, a supportive work environment, and opportunities for personal growth. It's an ideal role for individuals who are proactive, customer-focused, and eager to contribute to a company with a strong ethical core and a commitment to its people and communities.