Shop Assistant

Join Our Friendly & Fast-Paced Team as a Shop Assistant at Yarl’s Wood IRC!

Location: Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre
Salary: £25,769 per annum
Shift Pattern: Rolling 2-week rota (see below)

Are you a retail pro who thrives in a busy environment and takes pride in delivering excellent customer service? We're looking for a motivated and reliable Shop Assistant to join our on-site team at Yarl’s Wood IRC.

In this hands-on role, you’ll be at the heart of our shop operations—providing a friendly, welcoming service to residents, managing stock efficiently, and keeping things running smoothly day-to-day. If you're experienced in retail and love staying organized in a fast-moving setting, this could be the perfect fit for you.

Working at Yarl’s Wood IRC means being part of a respectful and caring community where your role makes a real difference to residents’ daily lives. We offer a supportive team, meaningful work, and the opportunity to thrive in a unique and rewarding setting.

What You'll Be Doing

• Delivering excellent service to residents at the shop counter

• Maintaining stock levels and ensuring accurate inventory control

• Supporting daily shop operations with speed and precision

• Working collaboratively in a small, friendly team

• Upholding high standards of care, respect, and professionalism

Your Shift Pattern

Week 1

• Mon: 08:30 – 20:00

• Tue: 08:30 – 20:00

• Sat: 08:45 – 20:00

• Sun: 08:45 – 20:00

Week 2

• Wed: 08:30 – 20:00

• Thu: 08:30 – 20:00

• Fri: 08:30 – 20:00

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience in a busy retail environment

• Confident handling high volumes of stock and sales

• Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure

• A team player with a positive, can-do attitude

• Comfortable working within a secure environment

Important Info

• This role is based within a fully contained residential centre for adult men and women

• A Security Clearance (CTC) and enhanced DBS check are required

• Full training and support will be provided

Why Serco

A place you can make an impact - The nature of our business means you will do interesting work that matters – delivering essential services that touch people’s lives.

A place you can count on - Our diverse UK-wide operations offer unrivalled opportunities to learn and develop. You’ll be able to broaden your experience and apply your skills in new ways.

A place for you - We are a motivated team who will encourage you and help you to succeed within a supportive and safe culture.

What we offer

• Salary £25,769

• Pension – 6%

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services

• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion

• A Serco benefits portal offering a wide range of discounts for major high street brands in Retail, Leisure & Hospitality

• A safe and supportive culture

• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion

Choose Serco for the opportunity to work with a company that prioritizes the betterment of people's lives and the provision of quality accommodation for those in need.

About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.