Donations Sorting Assistant

Donations Sorting Assistant

Dual site – Donation Centre in Harrogate and Warehouse in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire – in line with the needs of the charity and rota

We are committed to paying the Real Living Wage.

About Us

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.

The Benefits

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Donations Sorting Assistant, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.

The Role

Reporting to the Warehouse Operations Manager (Donations), our Donations Sorting Assistant will be responsible for quickly, efficiently and accurately sorting donations of clothing, bric-a-brac, electrical and all other donated items, for re-sale in our network of charity shops and via our eCommerce outlets. This role will operate in accordance with all health and safety regulations.

You will be expected to receive stock donations from our donors in a friendly, positive and welcoming way. We do not turn donations away as we have a significant growth plan for our retail network, so it is essential that the Donations Sorting Assistant is able to remain positive and welcoming to all supporters and demonstrate our gratitude for receiving donations. Great customer service is also essential to maximise income through Gift Aid sign-ups and every donor should be encouraged to sign up to Gift Aid, if it is applicable for them.

Specifically, you will:

• Quickly and efficiently sort a wide variety of donated stock.
• Ensure that donated stock is stored appropriately and safely, in accordance with all health and safety regulations and charity policies
• Identify if any specific donated stock suits the profile/demographics of specific shops in the retail network and ensure that those items are ringfenced and delivered in a timely manner to maximise income for the charity.
• Communicate with Retail teams regarding stock offers and ensure that any requests for specific items are actioned in a timely manner.   
• Create an engaging and supportive environment for our volunteers and ensure that the Donation Centre and warehouse are both great places to work.
• Help create a welcoming professional atmosphere and deliver high standards of customer service for all donors, customers and supporters.  
• Coach any corporate volunteers in the standards that we expect in sorting and represent the charity positively.
• Contribute to the motivation of the Donation Centre and warehouse team by being a team player and supporting your peers with any problem solving.
• Ensure that the donated goods are processed in a timely manner to maximise income for the charity.
• Work in a way that minimises the risk of damage and stock loss.
• Contribute to a culture where income generation is a passion for the team, ensuring that every donor is asked to add Gift Aid and that you are clear on the benefits of this.
• Be trained as a First Aider and Fire Marshal.  

About You

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• To ideally be educated to GCSE level or equivalent.   
• To have experience of working in a charity retailer or sorting high volume donated stock would be an advantage.
• To have basic understanding of Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel
• To be highly organised with good time management skills.
• To be resilient and able to react to quickly changing dynamics and flexibility.
• To have the ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• To be able to use own initiative and work with little direction, as management will not always be at the same site. 
• To be able to travel independently across dual site.
• A willingness to complete our pre-employment checks (to be undertaken once the role is offered and accepted) which include:
• A check on your employment history by seeking two references
• A check on your eligibility to work in the UK as per the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006
• An enhanced DBS check

Please note, this role is not eligible for a visa sponsorship.

Application

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, before 26 February 2025. Please read our privacy notice before applying.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us via our website.