Vacancies
Sales Assistant - Host

Sales Assistant - Host

Posted:

17 Aug 2025

Taunton

Sales Assistants

Permanent

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Overview

Pay -

16-17 - £7.55 per hour.

18+ - £12.21 per hour.

Your local store is looking for 16 hrs per week Sales Assistant - Host.

Every visit to our store is a chance to make someone’s day - and you’ll be right there to make sure it happens, from the first hello to the final thank you.

Our Sales Assistants are the foundation of our stores - a brilliant team at the heart of everything we do. With a focus on creating great experiences, they’re the first to lend a helping hand, always ready to offer support and guidance. Whether it’s finding the perfect item or offering a little inspiration, they make sure every customer leaves with exactly what they came for, and a lasting impression that brings them back time and time again.

As a host, you’ll be the first smile our customers see – and the reason they come back. You’ll be out on the shop floor, approaching customers, understanding what they’re looking for and helping them bring their vision to life. You’ll be confident recommend products, spotting opportunities to upsell, and creating those little moments of joy that make a big difference.

You’ll also be tech-savvy, using our systems to check stock and organise home delivery, recommend online exclusives, and sort any queries with ease. Whether it’s helping someone find the perfect cushion or guiding them to something they didn’t even know they needed, you’ll make every visit feel personal.

You’ll be customer obsessed – always considering the impact of your actions on the customer experience and striving to deliver joyful experiences in the most effective and thoughtful way

You’ll consistently deliver exceptional customer service to support strong CSAT (Customer Satisfaction) scores, ensuring every customer receives a welcoming, helpful, and memorable experience

You’ll be the first point of call for our customers, focused on providing exceptional customer service and offering assistance across all departments on the shop floor

You’ll help customer find the right products for them, offer advice where required and ensure they leave with everything they came in looking for

You’ll process orders for Click & Collect and Home Delivery, offering thousands more products to our customers than what’s in store

You’ll ensure the store is well presented and tidy throughout the day so we look at our best

Whilst your focus will be on hosting, you’ll be trained in all aspects of customer-facing store life, such as:

Tills – Offering a friendly and efficient checkout experience. You’ll take the time to check everything’s complete and pack fragile items with care, making sure every shopper leaves feeling confident their items will arrive home safely and in perfect condition

Shop Floor – Helping shoppers find exactly what they’re looking for - and maybe even something they didn’t know they needed. You’ll offer friendly, knowledgeable support that leaves a lasting impression, building loyalty through genuine service and a real passion for our products and people

Stock & Delivery – A hands-on role that involves some heavy lifting and plenty of variety. While you’ll be taking in deliveries, checking stock, and replenishing the shop floor, this isn’t just a backroom job - it’s customer-facing too. You’ll keep displays looking their best, update pricing and recover the store after busy periods, all while staying tuned in to what shoppers need and making sure everything’s easy to find, well-presented, and ready to go

D&I statement

Dunelm is committed to becoming a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, ability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Work your way

We have adapted our ways of working to make sure everyone can feel at home, wherever they work. For most roles, we offer flexible working options. In our stores, they include opportunities to work on a part-time basis, seasonal contracts, or adjusted hours to accommodate the important things in your life outside work

Wellbeing is more than just a buzzword here

From our Wellbeing Buddies and Mental Health First Aid training to our progressive parental leave, menopause policies and Colleague Support Fund, we're committed to supporting our colleagues in every area – and at every stage – of their lives. Through our partnership with the Retail Trust, everyone at Dunelm has free access to a 24/7 Virtual GP, as well as therapy and counselling, plus information, guidance and advice in all areas of financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Taking opportunities

Meet Amanda, our Chief Stores and People Director, who shares how she feels empowered to take opportunities every day, why Dunelm is her happy place, and why it’s a really exciting time to join us.

Look in our toy box

Of course, you should never judge a business by its tech stack. But take a peek at the range of technologies our engineers and developers are currently playing with.

Where you’ll
be working

Here is where you'll be based, whether that's an office, or store or one of our sites.

Priory Fields, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1QS

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Keep on growing

We want you to get as much out of working with us as possible. That's why we'll do everything we can to engage you in the process of learning, and encourage you to explore new opportunities around your particular skills and interests. For you, this includes:

Thrive, our learning and skills platform which gives you a blended, bite-sized, social learning experience with learning relevant to your role

Our Step Up programme which is designed to prepare you for a Team Leader role

Personal Effectiveness workshops and self-led learning, also delivered through Thrive

Apprenticeships opportunities relevant to your role – from level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) through to Level 7 (equivalent to Masters)

Colleague Development Fund to support colleagues in accessing external training relevant to your role

Coaching and mentoring opportunities to support you in your current role and help you prepare for the next

Functional academies that offer training to support you in the technical aspects of your role

Self-awareness tools to help you understand what really matters to you, and where your own talents and ambitions lie

Our Enterprise Leadership Programme designed specifically for our strong growth potential Heads of Department to help them reach the next level in their career

I’m in my happy place when…

"Some of my regulars come in a few times each week. I love seeing them and we've really got to know each other over the years."

Berni, Coffee Shop Assistant

Meet your team

I’m in my happy place when…

"It's great for developing life skills that will serve you well however you choose to develop your career."

Ben, Sales Assistant

Rewards you deserve

Along with competitive rates of pay, we offer a range of other great benefits to help you make your money go further.

25 days annual holiday plus your birthday off to celebrate, and another day when you move home, so you can get settled in

Generous discounts on all our own products, in-store and online to help you make your house a home

Instant discounts with a range of other companies to help you stretch your budget

Salary Advance so you can access up to 50% of the money you've earned during the month, rather than having to wait until pay day

Outstanding development opportunities and all the support you need to grow your career the way you want

Cycle to work scheme to help you keep your fitness up and your travel costs down

Free on-site parking

Pension contributions to help you save for your retirement

ShareSave scheme that enables you to save monthly and buy Dunelm shares at a discounted rate, building up your investments for a rainy day

Continuous training and coaching to ensure you feel confident in your current role and ready for any new challenges

Access to wellbeing support as and when you need it, including an online GP for you and your immediate family

Colleague networks that give everyone a voice and create an environment where we all feel at home

Charity day off (paid, of course) so you can volunteer for a charity that matters to you

How did we get here?

Today, Dunelm is a leader in the £11bn UK homewares market. With over 170 stores across the country and a successful online operation – dunelm.com – we offer over 60,000 products across a broad range of categories. But where did it all begin?

1979

Founder, Bill Adderley and his wife Jean take on a stall in Leicester Market selling curtains. Within a month, they make 600% profit.

1984

First bricks-and-mortar store founded in Churchgate, Leicester.

1988

With momentum growing, first flagship store opens in Leicester, East Street, offering warehouse facilities for expansion across the region.

1991

First superstore opens in Rotherham, offering premium brands such as Dorma, which the company goes on to acquire.

1996

Bill's son Will is appointed CEO of the company, following in his father's footsteps.

1999

Now a household name in the Midlands, Dunelm Mill opens a head office with warehouse facilities in Syston, Leicestershire.

2001

The acquisition of a small custom-made curtains business marks the start of Dunelm's made-to-measure service.

2002

A landmark year as Dunelm Mill opens its 50th store and a new central warehouse in Burton. The company goes on to open new stores at a rate of 10 each year.

2005

A fully shoppable website goes live, with a dedicated warehouse below our Radcliffe store

2006

Dunelm floated on the London Stock Exchange, marking the beginning of a new era for the company.

2010

In Liverpool, the company opens its 100th store, having celebrated its 30th birthday in 2009.

2011

To accommodate continued growth, Dunelm builds a new head office in Syston.

2013

Company rebrands from 'Dunelm Mill' to 'Dunelm' – reflecting what our customers have called us for years.

2016

Our family grew to include Worldstores.

2018

Nick Wilkinson joins the business as our new CEO.

2021

To accommodate our continued growth, Dunelm opens a fourth warehouse in Daventry.

2022

Launch of our ‘Conscious Choice’ collection – homeware that lasts longer and is made from more sustainable materials.

2022

Our third Delivering Joy Christmas campaign, with stores supporting over 700 local community causes and donating more than 61,000 gifts.

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