Temporary Customer Service Advisor

Job Title: Seasonal Customer Service Advisor (Temporary)

Location: Felling, Gateshead

Contract Type: Fixed-Term / Seasonal

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (with potential for paid overtime)

Duration: First week of September – 24th December 2026

About Spicers of Hythe

Spicers of Hythe is a leading supplier of luxury hampers and gifting solutions across the UK. Established in 1926, we’re known for quality, creativity, and exceptional service, we help customers celebrate life’s special moments, especially during the festive season.

As we head into our busiest time of year, we’re looking for enthusiastic, organised and customer-focused individuals to join our team and help us deliver an unforgettable gifting experience for our customers.

The Role

As a Seasonal Customer Service Advisor, you'll play an essential role in supporting customers (our corporate, retail, and individual customers), throughout their order journey. From answering festive gift enquiries to resolving delivery queries and processing returns, your focus will be on delivering a smooth and personal experience.

This is a varied and proactive role that involves inbound and outbound contact, as well as administrative support for the wider commercial team.

On a typical day you might take a call from a corporate client checking on a bulk delivery, chase a courier for a customer whose gift is time-sensitive, and help resolve a return — all before lunch.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Contact

• Answer inbound calls, emails, and live chats from customers.
• Make outbound calls to follow up on queries, chase deliveries, resolve order issues, and support the order completion process.
• Assist with quotations and corporate orders, including product suggestions and upselling where appropriate.
• Provide expert knowledge on our hamper range and delivery options.

Admin & Order Support

• Document returns, exceptions, and credits in an accurate and timely manner.
• Liaise with internal teams such as Despatch, Sales, and Customer Accounts to ensure smooth resolution of queries.
• Keep customer records and case logs up to date within internal systems.
• Support the wider customer team with ad hoc admin tasks during peak periods, to help meet our department goals.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience in a customer service or admin-based role, ideally in a retail or seasonal environment.
• Confident communicator with an excellent telephone manner.
• Comfortable making outbound calls to resolve issues or gather missing information.
• Highly organised, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Strong written skills for email/live chat responses.
• IT literate, with experience using email platforms and customer management systems.

Desirable Skills (but not essential)

• Familiarity with Zendesk and Microsoft Business Central
• Knowledge of courier tracking tools.
• Experience handling corporate or high-volume customer accounts.

What We Offer

• Full training provided on systems, product range and routines.
• Friendly and supportive team environment in our Felling, Gateshead office.
• Staff discount on hampers and gifting products.
• Potential for paid overtime during peak periods.
• Team incentives.
• Bonus payment available at the end of the contract.
• The chance to be part of a close, supportive team during our most exciting time of year.

Start date: Between 1st and 7th September 2025

End date: 24th December 2025

Apply now and help us deliver joy across the UK this Christmas!

Please note that during our peak trading period (late November–December), additional hours may be required — this will be discussed and agreed in advance.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact every candidate individually. If you do not hear from us within 7 days of submitting your application, please assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

We are committed to fair, consistent, and inclusive recruitment practices, and all applications are reviewed in line with relevant employment legislation and our equal opportunities principles.

This vacancy is being advertised on behalf of Gem Partnership Ltd who are operating as an employment agency.

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