At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver exceptional customer service and engage visitors in a stunning wine and gift shop.
- Company: Join the vibrant team at Waddesdon Manor, a beautiful French Renaissance-style château.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, complimentary tickets, and a supportive work environment focused on wellbeing.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Develop your wine knowledge while creating memorable experiences for visitors.
- Qualifications: Passion for wine, customer-focused attitude, and willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 24750 - 30250 £ per year.
We are looking for a forward thinking, customer focused Wine & Gift Shop Assistant to play a key role in delivering truly exceptional customer service in our Manor Shop, alongside brilliant colleagues at the stunning location of Waddesdon Manor. We are looking for positive, helpful and charismatic individuals who enjoy what they do, are driven to develop their wine knowledge and are passionate about making our visitors shopping experience memorable.
As this role includes regular participation in wine tastings for product knowledge, customer engagement and training, applicants must be able to undertake these duties.
What you will do:
- Support the retail team to deliver outstanding customer service across all retail outlets.
- Engage with visitors to create memorable shopping experiences, confidently identifying sales opportunities and recommending products to meet their needs.
- Develop specialist knowledge of our wines, assist in hosting wine tastings, support wine events and confidently recommend our wine profile to visitors.
Key responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Provide excellent service by being friendly and welcoming, efficient and prompt.
- Continually work to develop your own product knowledge, working with the Wine Ambassador and Shop Manager.
- Host daily wine tastings in rotation with other members of the retail team.
- Participate in regular wine training sessions.
- Promote our events, focusing on our wine club, wine tastings and wine dinners.
- Assist in Waddesdon’s sales outlets, including Wine, Gift, pop-up and Online shops.
- Inform the Shop Manager/Wine Ambassador of areas of concern with stock levels.
- Assist in efficiently restocking displays and shop floor storage.
- Ensure sales are maximized by effective visual merchandising.
- Maintain a high standard of housekeeping.
- Work with other staff and volunteers to create an efficient and happy working environment.
- Assist in stock-takes and reconcile deliveries of stock.
- Follow all KPIs as instructed by the Shop Manager.
- Follow opening/closing procedures precisely.
Relationships:
- Maintain good working relationships with all members of the Waddesdon staff, visitors and other members of the public.
- Share your passion and knowledge of wine with the team.
Finance:
- Be honest and look after stock to help retail improve its figures.
- Ensure all transactions on the shop floors are in accordance with Accounts and PCI Compliance standards.
- Execute all financial procedures according to company policy.
Equipment:
- Treat all equipment with due care and report all breakages or breakdowns to the Shop Manager.
Personal:
- Be punctual, dressed appropriately and adhere to the standards of appearance.
- Attend all training sessions and read all necessary policy documents.
- Undertake and successfully complete WSET Level 2 in Wines (or equivalent training) as required by the role.
You will be a great fit if:
- You are a passionate and customer-focused individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
- You enjoy helping people and have a genuine desire to work in a front-line environment.
- You are enthusiastic about wine and willing to actively develop your expertise.
- You have a demonstrable interest in wine, WSET Qualifications or desire to learn about wine.
- You possess sales experience with a wine focus.
- You have a naturally friendly and approachable personality.
- You can stay calm and focused in a fast-paced environment.
- You have high visual standards and attention to detail.
- You are a team player with a flexible approach to tasks and schedules.
Rewards for working with us:
- Complimentary tickets to the house and grounds.
- 50% discount in the food-to-go outlets at the Manor.
- 20% discount in the Manor gift shop and restaurant.
- Annual Leave of 28 days (20 days plus 8 public holidays).
- Pension matching contributions up to 10% of your basic salary.
- Long Service Awards every 5 years of service.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Support.
- Free flu jabs in October.
Workplace adjustments:
We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, compressed hours, providing equipment or changes to the workplace, where possible.
EDI:
At the Rothschild Foundation, we place Equality, Inclusion and Diversity at the core of our values.
Closing date: Ongoing. The vacancy may be taken down from job boards when we see fit if a high standard of applications is received.
Round 1: 45 minute, in-person interview with the Head of Retail and Shop Manager.
Wine & Gift Shop Assistant in Waddesdon employer: Rothschild Foundation
Rothschild Foundation is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the stunning Waddesdon Manor, where you will be part of a dedicated team committed to ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests. With a strong emphasis on employee development, we provide training for SIA licensing and first aid qualifications, fostering a supportive work culture that values your growth and contributions. Join us in creating memorable experiences while enjoying the benefits of working in a historic and beautiful environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Wine & Gift Shop Assistant in Waddesdon
✨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 Rothschild Foundation, 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 Rothschild Foundation!
We think you need these skills to ace Wine & Gift Shop Assistant in Waddesdon
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 Rothschild Foundation, 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 Rothschild Foundation 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 Rothschild Foundation that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rothschild Foundation
✨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!
