Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Donation Centre Sorting Assistant
Donation Centre in Harrogate, North Yorkshire
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 a Donation Centre 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
As a Donation Centre Sorting Assistant, you will be reporting to the Donation Centre Manager, you 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 you are 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, minimising the risk of damage and stock loss.
- 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 is a great place to work.
- Help create a welcoming professional atmosphere and deliver high standards of customer service for all donors, customers and supporters.
- Support the volunteer team by providing communication, support, guidance and direction in the absence of the Donation Centre Manager or their Deputy.
- PAT test donated electrical items to ensure that they are able to be sold in the shops, or via eCommerce (training will be provided).
- Coach any corporate volunteers in the standards that we expect in sorting, and represent the charity positively.
- Ensure that all charity policies, standards and operating procedures are communicated effectively to all members of your team and be comfortable in supporting your peers to change their behaviour or processes if they are not adhering.
- Ensure that the donated goods are processed in a timely manner to maximise income for the charity.
- Manage complaints effectively and efficiently, escalating through the Operations team structure, as appropriate, where they cannot be resolved at a local level.
About You
To be considered for this role, you will need:
- To be ideally 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 a basic understanding of Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- To have good time management skills and the ability to prioritise your own workload to meet deadlines.
- To have the ability to use own initiative and work with little direction, as management will not always be at the same site.
- To have good communication and interpersonal skills.
- A willingness to complete our pre-employment checks (to be undertaken once the role is offered and accepted) which include:
o A check on your employment history by seeking two references
o A check on your eligibility to work in the UK as per the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006
- A DBS check at enhanced level.
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 25 September 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 the People Team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Want to play your part in transforming society?
You're in the right place.
Many of our Spear trainees have faced significant barriers to finding work, including family breakdown, growing up in care, disability or mental health difficulties, having been involved in crime, or really struggling at school. We believe that being out of work can lead to isolation and proliferate these challenges, meaningful work is key in helping young people find a sense of purpose and community. We're proud that the coaching and community that the Spear Programme provides makes such a difference that 75% of those who take part find work, and are still in work a year later.
Not only will you be part of bringing about powerful change in people's lives, but throughout this paid, dynamic opportunity, you'll be supported and challenged. We'll invest in you, developing expert coaching and leadership skills to set you on a great career path.
Please feel free to let us know if you may require any reasonable adjustments to participate fully in our recruitment process, or if you have any enquiries regarding accessibility such as wheelchair access.
The important stuff
Location: Bristol
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5.30pm (With some out-of-hours work needed for events such as our Spear Celebrations)
Salary: from £22,300
Closing date: Monday 22nd September, 09.00am (We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate).
Upcoming Assessment Days: Thursday 25th September
Application pack: Have a look at our application pack for more information about the role and Resurgo
Benefits
- 28 days annual leave (including Christmas Gift Days) plus bank holidays
- Excellent personal development and training opportunities, including our iLM-accredited 5-day Coaching for Leadership programme (worth £3,000)
- Regular staff prayer meetings, conferences and retreats (one residential)
What will you do?
- Coach 16-24 year olds, bringing about powerful change in their lives
- Build great relationships with relevant professionals
- Form part of an intentional church community
What will you gain?
- Management skills and career progression
- Excellent coaching capability
- Social Impact Experience
- Christian Leadership Skills
Registered Charity
101 - 500
With young people, with organisations, for society.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.