Hospitality, Supermarket Assistant reference: R-183430

Exploring the Service Counter Partner Opportunity at Waitrose & Partners

This opportunity as a Partner on the Waitrose service counters offers a unique entry point into one of the UK's most respected retail brands, part of the John Lewis Partnership. More than just a job, this role invites you to become a co-owner in a business that champions ethical sourcing, passionate service, and a truly collaborative culture. For individuals keen to combine their love for food with a rewarding customer-facing career, this position presents significant advantages and key considerations for your career path.

Advantages of This Opportunity:

• Unique Co-Ownership Model: As a 'Partner,' you're not just an employee but a co-owner in the UK's largest employee-owned business. This means you share in the company's successes and have a voice in its future, fostering a deep sense of belonging and collective responsibility. This model can lead to greater engagement and a more supportive work environment.
• A Platform for Food Enthusiasts: If you have a genuine passion for food, this role allows you to demonstrate and expand your knowledge, recommend recipes, and engage customers with ethically sourced products. It’s an ideal environment to share your enthusiasm and deepen your understanding of food values, including animal welfare.
• Impactful Customer Engagement: This role is centered on building lasting relationships with customers. Your friendliness and expertise will directly influence their impression of the Waitrose brand, fostering loyalty and repeat business. It's a chance to make a tangible difference in the customer experience.
• Holistic Skill Enhancement: Beyond customer service, you'll develop crucial skills in counter presentation, hygiene standards, stock management, waste reduction, and health & safety protocols. You'll also learn to balance service excellence with commercial goals by contributing to sales and profit maximization.
• Commitment to Partner Growth: The Partnership emphasizes growth, belonging, and well-being, encapsulated by their "THRIVE" initiative. They support flexible working arrangements where possible, demonstrating a commitment to work-life balance and individual development.
• Team Collaboration: While focused on your counter, you'll be an integral part of the wider shop team, supporting general shopkeeping tasks when needed. This fosters a collaborative environment where teamwork is valued.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Temporary Contract with Varied Hours: This is a temporary role with a minimum of 14 hours, offering varied shifts across seven days. This includes early starts, late finishes, evenings, and weekends. Candidates should assess their availability and comfort with a flexible and potentially demanding schedule.
• Demanding Standards & Responsibilities: The role requires maintaining the highest standards of presentation and hygiene, meticulous attention to stock levels, and strict adherence to health & safety protocols, especially when working with open food. A strong sense of responsibility and attention to detail are essential.
• Customer-Centric Focus: While rewarding, the role requires constant engagement with customers. Individuals who thrive on social interaction and can maintain enthusiasm and patience throughout their shifts will excel.
• Essential & Desirable Skills: Strong communication skills are essential. Prior experience in customer-facing roles, catering, or hospitality, along with an up-to-date knowledge of food and drink trends, are desirable and will be a significant advantage.
• Pre-Employment Vetting: Be aware that some roles, including this one, may be subject to pre-employment vetting, such as DBS checks. While standard procedure, it's an important step in the recruitment process.

Who This Role Is For:

This opportunity is ideally suited for individuals who are passionate about food, dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, and eager to work within a unique employee-owned business model. If you are flexible, a team player, value ethical sourcing, and are looking for a role where you can genuinely connect with people and contribute to a beloved brand's success, then becoming a Service Counter Partner at Waitrose & Partners could be an excellent step in your career journey.

We recommend applying promptly, as vacancies can close early due to high applicant volumes.