CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOO

Retail Assistant

Job reference: 001760

Salary: £13,218.50 per annum pro rata (based on 20 hours per week)

Closing date: 03/10/2026

Department: Retail

Location: Chester

Employment type: Permanent

Hours Per Week: Mixed

Job Description

We currently have an exciting opportunity for part-time Retail Assistants to join our retail team on a permanent basis. Retail at Chester Zoo is an extremely fast-moving department, and we are looking for people that aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in at the same time as providing world class standards of service to our visitors

The Role
Our Retail Assistants will have the opportunity to work in all areas of retail at the Zoo – you could be working in one of our gift shops, one of our busy kiosks, in our retail stores or be involved in one of our customer activities such as face painting. Duties will include delivering the highest standards of customer service daily, delivering sales targets, visual merchandising of products, upselling, unit cleaning, cash handling, stock control and replenishment. You will also help train, develop, and mentor our many Seasonal Assistants.

Multiple contracts - hours of work are 20 hours per week, worked on a 5 out of 7 day basis or 8 hours per week, worked 2 out of 7. This will include weekends, late nights, early starts and bank holidays. There will also be a requirement to work extra hours regularly during our busy periods; including but not limited to all school holidays. A flexible approach to work is required as shift patterns can change due to operational requirements.

The package
• Permanent contract
• Salary of £13,218.50 per annum pro rata (based on 20 hours per week)
• 33 days annual leave pro rate plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme.
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions

Our requirements
• Previous experience working within a fast-paced retail or visitor attraction environment
• Passionate about excellent customer service and be a strong communicator
• Enjoy exceeding targets and up-selling
• Have cash handling and epos skills
• Be confident to work using your own initiative to achieve goals
• Be able to buddy and mentor fixed term staff to reach the highest standards every day
• Have an eye for visual merchandising and some creative flair to keep our outlets looking world class
• Be able to deal with replenishment of large volumes of stock
• Experience and flair for engagement activities such as face painting and hand animals would be advantageous

Please be aware we reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We would recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you complete the application as promptly as possible as shortlisting and interviews may be taking place whilst the advert is live.