Retail and Hospitality Assistant (Permanent)

• Company: One Garden Brighton
• Closing Date: 30-04-2026
• Location: One Garden Brighton, Falmer
• Salary: Up to £27,976 per annum
• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Contact Email: recruitment@plumpton.ac.uk

Description

One Garden Brighton is seeking an enthusiastic, customer‑focused and flexible Retail & Hospitality Assistant to support the daily operation of the retail shop, café, bakery and wider commercial services. 

This is a varied and hands‑on role within a vibrant visitor attraction, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced hospitality and retail environment and takes pride in delivering excellent customer experiences. 

About the Role 

As a Retail & Hospitality Assistant, you will play a key role in ensuring visitors enjoy a welcoming, engaging and high‑quality experience across all commercial outlets at One Garden Brighton. You will support retail sales, food and beverage service, stock presentation and events activity, while maintaining excellent standards of hygiene, safety and presentation. 

You will: 

• Serve customers in the retail shop, café and bakery, delivering consistently excellent customer service
• Engage with visitors, sharing knowledge of products, events and experiences at One Garden Brighton
• Prepare barista‑style drinks and support grab‑and‑go food service in line with recipes, portion guidance and allergen controls
• Operate EPOS and till systems accurately and efficiently
• Upsell products as directed by the Manager or Supervisor
• Maintain high standards of stock replenishment, rotation and visual presentation
• Ensure all food, retail and customer areas are clean, safe and welcoming
• Complete required food safety, hygiene and operational checks and logs
• Assist with deliveries, stock storage and rotation
• Support seasonal activities, events and functions, including occasional evening working
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across One Garden Brighton and the wider College
• Support opening and closing procedures when required 

You will also contribute to maintaining the ethos and reputation of One Garden Brighton as a high‑quality visitor destination. 

About You 

We are looking for a motivated and reliable individual who enjoys working with people and takes pride in high standards of service and presentation. 

Essential: 

• Experience working in a retail and/or hospitality environment
• Barista trained, with confidence preparing speciality coffee
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Good literacy, numeracy and basic IT skills
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment
• Able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
• Flexible approach to working hours, including weekends and bank holidays 

Desirable: 

• Full UK driving licence
• Access to own vehicle
• First Aid qualification
• Food hygiene or food safety qualification 

You will be positive, adaptable and proactive, with a strong commitment to quality, safety and visitor experience. 

Working Hours 

This role is 40 hours per week, worked across 5 out of 7 days. One Garden Brighton is open 08:00–18:00, seven days per week, all year round. Some flexibility is required to support evening functions, events and College promotional activities. 

Why Join Us? 

At Plumpton College, we live our values—Ambitious, Professional, Enterprising, Passionate, Supportive and Progressive—in everything we do. 

You’ll benefit from: 

• A competitive salary
• 22 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (with TOIL applied where bank holidays are worked)
• Automatic enrolment into the NEST Pension Scheme
• Access to Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• Free onsite parking
• A supportive team environment within a unique visitor attraction 

New colleagues benefit from a structured induction and ongoing support from their line manager, helping them to succeed and develop in their role. 

Equality, Diversity & Safeguarding 

Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to eliminating unfair discrimination. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. 

Plumpton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff to share this commitment. This role involves regular work in an establishment mainly for children and therefore requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

We reserve the right to interview or close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. Early applications are encouraged.