Christmas - Customer Assistant - Foods - Rayleigh SF

Team

In Store

Store Rayleigh Simply Food

Location Rayleigh, Essex

Position type Part Time

Contract type Temporary Contract end date

Contract end date: 26/12/2026

Salary £13.41 p/h

Closing date: 31st October 2026

• Intro
• About the role
• Meet the Team
• Our Support
• Benefits
• Colleague Networks
• How to Apply

How We Hire

Everyone is welcome at M&S. No exceptions. It’s your background, abilities and differences that make you, uniquely you. And when you’re part of M&S, that individuality has the potential to make waves.

About The Role

This section tells you all you need to know about the position and its responsibilities, outlining everything we hope to see in a successful candidate.

All the details

Week 1

mon 1pm - 5pm

tue 10am - 2pm

fri 8am - 12pm

sat 6am - 10am

week 2

sun 12pm - 4pm

mon 12pm - 4pm

wed 6am - 10am

thur 6am - 10am

Due to operational requirements, all successful candidates may be asked to work up to full time hours in the weeks commencing 13th and 20th December.

Christmas only: Due to operational requirements, all successful candidates may be asked to work up to full-time hours in the weeks commencing 13th and 20th December.

Join M&S as a Customer Assistant in our Food section, where you'll be at the frontline of the UK’s fastest-growing retailer. We’re not just looking for someone to fill shelves – we need down-to-earth colleagues who thrive under pressure, deliver five-star service at pace, and embrace the transformation we're driving.

We're seeking passionate individuals who not only take pride in their knowledge of M&S Food products but are also ready to roll their sleeves up and go again, day in and day out, meeting strong customer demand head-on.

You'll be a resilient and committed brand ambassador who’s ready to raise the bar by confidently recommending and selling our newest food products to our customers. Through remarkable service you'll make sure our customers feel truly valued every time they shop with us.

• At M&S, our customers don't wait. You’ll thrive in a high-pressure environment, staying sharp, fast, and focused when the store is at its busiest. You’ll go above and beyond, to serve, sell, fill and help drive growth in sales.
• Being digitally confident is essential. You'll utilise our digital tools, such as the Sparks App and our in-store devices, to enhance the customer experience and ensure they get the products they want when they need them.
• Being a team player is crucial. You’ll contribute to a positive, high-energy environment, where everyone works hard and supports each other in delivering a seamless customer experience.
• Flexibility is also vital. You should be poised to work across various areas of the store, adapting to the changing demands of the retail environment. No two shifts will look the same – and you’ll embrace the challenge.

This is a frontline role, not for the faint-hearted. But for those who are ready to roll up their sleeves, there’s huge opportunity. Are you ready for it? Take Your Marks and apply today.

#Christmas

Meet the Team

Our Support

Mentorship

It’s important to us that our new colleagues feel supported in their roles and can learn from each other. That’s why we offer mentorship through our buddy system.

Flexible working

We’re a 24/7 business and our working patterns adapt to our customers’ needs. Worklife is our flexible working policy that gives colleagues the option for part-time working, a 4-day compressed week, or to job share if it’s in the best interests of everyone.

Benefits

Wellbeing hub

Get access to resources to support your wellbeing, including a free virtual GP service.

Giving back

Support your favourite charities by donating through your pay or even volunteering for them.

Pay

Earn a competitive salary.

Colleague discount

After completing your probation period, you'll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.

Please note only contracts of more than 12 weeks are eligible for this benefit.

Time off

Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.

Life assurance

Get cover for twice your salary up to age 70 (double with our Pension Plan).

Workplace savings

We’ll help you save through our Pension Savings Plan, Share Buy and Sharesave schemes.

My Choices

Save on everyday costs through discounts and offers and get access to great health benefits.

Cycle to work

Bike/accessory hire with Cycle to Work and save on tax and national insurance.

Smart tech

Buy the latest technology with interest-free financing directly from your salary.

Family friendly policy

Industry-leading maternity, paternity, adoption and neo-natal policies, providing support and flexibility for you and your family.

• Wellbeing hub

Get access to resources to support your wellbeing, including a free virtual GP service.

• Giving back

Support your favourite charities by donating through your pay or even volunteering for them.

• Pay

Earn a competitive salary.

• Colleague discount

After completing your probation period, you'll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.

Please note only contracts of more than 12 weeks are eligible for this benefit.

• Time off

Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days.

• Life assurance

Get cover for twice your salary up to age 70 (double with our Pension Plan).

• Workplace savings

We’ll help you save through our Pension Savings Plan, Share Buy and Sharesave schemes.

• My Choices

Save on everyday costs through discounts and offers and get access to great health benefits.

• Cycle to work

Bike/accessory hire with Cycle to Work and save on tax and national insurance.

• Smart tech

Buy the latest technology with interest-free financing directly from your salary.

• Family friendly policy

Industry-leading maternity, paternity, adoption and neo-natal policies, providing support and flexibility for you and your family.

• Wellbeing hub
• Giving back
• Pay
• Colleague discount
• Time off
• Life assurance
• Workplace savings
• My Choices
• Cycle to work
• Smart tech
• Family friendly policy

Click to skip Colleague Networks slider carousel

Colleague Networks

We want you to feel supported, no matter what.

1 of 8

Cancer Network

Fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, addressing stigma, providing guidance and raising awareness to empower and assist colleagues affected by cancer.

Family & Carers Network

A support network for parents and carers, offering a space for colleagues to share experiences, exchange ideas, and access useful resources.

Health and Wellbeing Network

Providing a safe space for colleagues with all types of health conditions or disabilities and supporting with business initiatives to ensure our stores are truly accessible for our customers.

Gender Equality Network

Addressing gender-related challenges, raising awareness, and driving action to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Culture and Heritage Network

Raising awareness of various religions and cultures through events and comms, to educate others and better represent our M&S colleagues and customers.

Menopause Network

Initiating and encouraging open conversations about menopause by offering support and sharing experiences.

Forces Community Network

Supporting colleagues connected to the Armed Forces, aiding their transition to civilian life, and ensuring that they thrive in the workplace.

LGBTQ+ Network

Proactively representing LGBTQ+ issues and opportunities to deliver a truly inclusive place to work and shop for our colleagues and customers.

Cancer Network

Fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, addressing stigma, providing guidance and raising awareness to empower and assist colleagues affected by cancer.

Family & Carers Network

A support network for parents and carers, offering a space for colleagues to share experiences, exchange ideas, and access useful resources.

Health and Wellbeing Network

Providing a safe space for colleagues with all types of health conditions or disabilities and supporting with business initiatives to ensure our stores are truly accessible for our customers.

Gender Equality Network

Addressing gender-related challenges, raising awareness, and driving action to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Culture and Heritage Network

Raising awareness of various religions and cultures through events and comms, to educate others and better represent our M&S colleagues and customers.

Menopause Network

Initiating and encouraging open conversations about menopause by offering support and sharing experiences.

Forces Community Network

Supporting colleagues connected to the Armed Forces, aiding their transition to civilian life, and ensuring that they thrive in the workplace.

LGBTQ+ Network

Proactively representing LGBTQ+ issues and opportunities to deliver a truly inclusive place to work and shop for our colleagues and customers.

Cancer Network

Fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, addressing stigma, providing guidance and raising awareness to empower and assist colleagues affected by cancer.

Family & Carers Network

A support network for parents and carers, offering a space for colleagues to share experiences, exchange ideas, and access useful resources.

Health and Wellbeing Network

Providing a safe space for colleagues with all types of health conditions or disabilities and supporting with business initiatives to ensure our stores are truly accessible for our customers.

Gender Equality Network

Addressing gender-related challenges, raising awareness, and driving action to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Culture and Heritage Network

Raising awareness of various religions and cultures through events and comms, to educate others and better represent our M&S colleagues and customers.

Menopause Network

Initiating and encouraging open conversations about menopause by offering support and sharing experiences.

Forces Community Network

Supporting colleagues connected to the Armed Forces, aiding their transition to civilian life, and ensuring that they thrive in the workplace.

LGBTQ+ Network

Proactively representing LGBTQ+ issues and opportunities to deliver a truly inclusive place to work and shop for our colleagues and customers.

End of slider Colleague Networks carousel

How to Apply

Here’s what to expect at each stage of the application process. This can change depending on the role you’ve applied to. If you need any reasonable adjustments made at any stage, let us know and we can help.

Send us your application

Fill in our short application form and hit submit.

Online assessment

We’ll invite you to take part in an online assessment. This could be before or after your interview.

In-person assessment centre

We’ll invite you to an in-person assessment centre or an interview. This process may differ depending on the role you’ve applied to.

Decision

After we’ve decided, we’ll be in touch. If you’ve been successful, we’ll officially invite you to join the team and let you know the next steps.

Christmas - Customer Assistant - Foods - Rayleigh SF

Team

In Store

Store Rayleigh Simply Food

Location Rayleigh, Essex

Position type Part Time

Contract type Temporary Contract end date

Contract end date: 26/12/2026

Salary £13.41 p/h

Closing date: 31st October 2026

Reference: 130670