At a Glance
- Tasks: Share your passion for spirits and create unforgettable tasting experiences for guests.
- Company: Join Harding+, a top cruise retail business recognised for excellent service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, accommodation, meals, and travel opportunities while at sea.
- Other info: Enjoy dynamic onboard life with training and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Combine your love for spirits with travel and meet people from around the world.
- Qualifications: Experience in liquor retail or hospitality and strong knowledge of spirits required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Turn your knowledge of spirits into standout guest experiences, from tastings and cocktail conversations to premium liquor sales at sea. We’re looking for Liquor Sales Specialists to join our onboard retail teams, working on cruise ships around the world. This role is for someone who knows their way around premium spirits and enjoys sharing that knowledge with others. You might come from a retail liquor background, duty free, hospitality, bar work, mixology or brand ambassador experience. What matters is that you can talk confidently about different spirits, explain flavour profiles, recommend products and create a tasting experience that guests remember.
About Harding+ Harding+ is a leading cruise retail business, working closely with cruise line partners and brand partners to make every cruise better. Our onboard boutiques offer guests a carefully selected range across liquor, fragrance, beauty, fashion, jewellery, watches, confectionery and logo products. We are proud to have been recognised as Cruise Retailer of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2025, reflecting our focus on excellent service, strong brand partnerships and memorable guest experiences.
What you’ll do As a Liquor Sales Specialist, you’ll be the person who helps guests discover, understand and enjoy our premium liquor range. You’ll introduce products with confidence, explain the difference between spirits, talk through flavour notes and make recommendations that feel relevant to the guest, whether they are buying a gift, choosing something for an occasion or treating themselves. You’ll support tastings, seminars, in-store events and promotional activity, using these moments to create interest, start conversations and convert sales. You’ll be comfortable holding the attention of a small group, answering questions and making the experience feel relaxed, enjoyable and informative. This is a hands‑on sales role. You’ll need to approach guests naturally, spot buying signals, suggest complementary products and keep momentum without making the interaction feel forced. You’ll also help maintain strong visual standards, accurate stock handling and compliance processes, while sharing your product knowledge with the wider team.
What you’ll bring We’re looking for someone with strong knowledge of spirits and experience using that knowledge in a customer‑facing environment. You’ll bring:
- Experience in liquor retail, duty free, hospitality, mixology, bar work, brand ambassador work or premium retail
- Strong knowledge of different spirits, such as whisky, rum, gin, vodka, tequila, cognac or liqueurs
- Confidence discussing flavour profiles, serves, cocktail ideas, gifting options and brand stories
- The ability to host or support tastings, demonstrations, seminars or promotional events
- Motivation and ambition to achieve sales targets and maximise every sales opportunity
- A positive, team-focused attitude and willingness to share knowledge
- Fluency in English; additional languages would be an advantage
- A good level of physical fitness, as the role involves being active throughout the day
What you’ll get Competitive salary with target-based commission Included Accommodation and meals provided onboard No household bills while you are working at sea Support with necessary visas and seafaring documents Dedicated in‑house training across sales, product and brand knowledge The opportunity to travel the world while earning Contracts of up to 6 months onboard, usually followed by 1 to 2 months at home between contracts On selected cruise lines, the opportunity to travel independently after your contract, with support for your return travel home afterwards.
Ready to bring your spirits knowledge to sea? Apply Now!
Liquor Sales Specialist in Manchester employer: Harding Retail
At Harding+, we pride ourselves on being a leading cruise retail business that values exceptional service and memorable guest experiences. As a Liquor Sales Specialist, you'll not only enjoy competitive salaries and commission but also the unique opportunity to travel the world while sharing your passion for premium spirits with guests. Our supportive work culture fosters employee growth through dedicated training and the chance to work in a dynamic, vibrant environment onboard luxury cruise ships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Liquor Sales Specialist in Manchester
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Harding Retail, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Harding Retail!
We think you need these skills to ace Liquor Sales Specialist in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Harding Retail, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Harding Retail and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Harding Retail that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harding Retail
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
