Pantry Assistant volunteer (Shop Floor)

As a Pantry Assistant, the individual plays a vital role in welcoming customers and assisting them with their shopping experience. They guide shoppers through the Pantry, highlight available items and special offers, and help with packing bags and carrying baskets when necessary. Additionally, they ensure that shoppers adhere to Pantry guidelines and report stock shortages to the Volunteer Pantry Lead. After sessions, they are responsible for removing soon-to-expire items, tidying the area, and restocking shelves. Strong communication skills, a patient demeanour, and a helpful attitude are essential qualities for this role.

As a Pantry Assistant you’ll be involved with welcoming customers into the Pantry as well as assisting them with their shopping. Pantry Assistants assist our shoppers by talking them through the process of a Pantry shop and can even help with meal suggestions to make with their shopping as well as supporting them with carrying their basket if needed.  Our Volunteer Pantry Assistants help to make a shop at the Pantry unique.

Summary of main activities and tasks

During Session

Walk Pantry shoppers through the food shop area.

Point out what’s food and other items available, highlighting special offers

Check Pantry shoppers have their shopping bags with them

Help shoppers to place their items in the trolley/ basket if they need i

Check that each shopper has followed the guidance of a Pantry shop

Offer to help the shopper pack their bags if required

Inform Volunteer Pantry Lead if more stock is needed on the shop floor

After Session

Remove all items due to go out of date in the next week

Work with Volunteer Pantry lead to tidy all fruit and veg, cereal boxes and other items vulnerable to pests, into storage boxes.

Restock shelves as required

Tidy and clear the pantry area

Work as part of a friendly team of staff and volunteers

Qualities / experience / skills

Good communication and customer care skills would be a real asset in this role.

Patience and a welcoming and helpful attitude.