We are hiring - Part Time Sales Associate

We are Hiring!

We are looking for a Part Time Sales Associate (2 days per week including most Saturdays) to join our friendly team here in Moseley, Birmingham, with an immediate start.

If you are interested in this position please read on, or if you know anyone who may be interested we'd be ever so grateful if you could pass the details onto them.

This is a part time position on a permanent contract (with a 6 month probation period). Working hours will be 2 days (16 hours) in total including most Saturdays from 9am - 5.30pm with a 30 minute lunch break. We can be flexible on days and hours for the right candidate.

Job role

Guthrie & Ghani is a renowned name in the sewing community, known for its dedication to quality, creativity, and community engagement. Established by Lauren Guthrie, a former contestant on "The Great British Sewing Bee," the company has become a beloved destination for sewing enthusiasts of all skill levels. Joining Guthrie & Ghani, which is also proud to be the home of The Sewing Society, Sewing Studio and Patterntrace, means being part of a passionate, creative, and supportive team dedicated to excellence in the world of dressmaking.

As a Sales Associate at Guthrie & Ghani, you will play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional customer service, ensuring each visitor has a welcoming and inspiring experience as well as providing specialised advice on dressmaking and sewing, helping our customers find the perfect fabrics for their projects.

We are seeking a dedicated individual who can commit to working 2 days per week.

Every Monday and alternating every other Wednesday and Saturday. Saturday hours are 9:00 am to 5:30 pm but we can offer flexibility in how the weekday hours are worked, provided they fall between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm.

We strongly encourage you to contact us if you are interested in the position but the days or hours might not suit your circumstances.

Key Responsibilities:

This is a varied and physical role that will involve different tasks depending on the needs of the business at that time.

Key aspects will include:

• Serve customers in-store and over the phone while delivering excellent customer service and sharing specialised dressmaking and sewing advice to each customer to inspire them to be creative
  
• Keep product displays immaculate, and replenish merchandise
• Cut and pick customers' online orders (GG, Patterntrace and Sewing Society).
• Prepare and wrap online orders (GG, Patterntrace and Sewing Society) ready for dispatching.
• Assisting with the shipping of online orders using the Royal Mail Click and Drop system, FedEx and other couriers on the computer.
• On occasion support the Sewing Society Production Assistant in prepping and building the monthly kits
• Assist with the cleaning protocols we have in the shop and studio.
• After Health and Safety manual handling training, you will also be required to move heavy bolts/rolls of fabric and boxes when deliveries arrive and stand for prolonged periods.
• The duties outlined are subject to change and at any point you may be asked to carry out other duties that are deemed useful by the business owner.

Essential Skills:

• A friendly, helpful and professional individual who is happy working as part of a team and independently.
• You must be honest, reliable and able to demonstrate initiative to work independently to get a set of specific tasks done very efficiently.
• Organised and highly motivated individual with a keen eye for detail and pride in the presentation of the work that they do.
• An ambitious individual, driven by customer satisfaction with strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• This is a busy role so you must be very tidy, be able to work physically quickly and efficiently in a fast paced environment and show determination to succeed and develop the business alongside other team members.
• Confident engaging with our customers, both in person or over the phone.
• Interested in sewing with good fabric knowledge. We love sewing and sharing knowledge here at g&g so we will offer support and development in this area as part of your role, but you must be enthusiastic and self-motivated to learn more.

Experience

• Customer Service Expertise: Proven experience in delivering exceptional customer service, ensuring a positive and welcoming shopping experience.
• Sewing and Dressmaking Knowledge: Strong background in sewing and dressmaking, with the ability to provide specialized advice and guidance to customers.
• Retail Experience: Previous experience working in a retail environment, with skills in sales, inventory management, and visual merchandising.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with a diverse range of customers.
• Attention to Detail: Keen eye for detail, ensuring products are well-organized and the shop floor is visually appealing.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to work well as part of a team, contributing to a supportive and creative work environment.

Working Conditions:

• Environment: This role will require standing for extended periods and heavy lifting
• The shop: There are two small steps to gain access to the ground floor, two steps down to the back office and 12 steps to the staff room and restroom.
• Hours: Part-time; 16 hours per week, every Monday and alternating Wednesday’s and Saturday’s.

This position offers an opportunity to be part of a creative and dynamic team, contributing to producing high-quality dressmaking kits that delight and inspire customers.

Guthrie & Ghani takes pride in the development of its staff, offering opportunities for growth based on the needs of the business and the individual skills and experience of the successful candidatesThe tasks and duties in this job description are subject to change at the manager's discretion and the business needs.

This is an entry-level position in the business and the rate of pay will be at the National Living Wage level by your age. Applicants must be 16 years or older.

How to apply

If you would like to discuss this role further or ask any questions, please contact our Operations Manager by emailing [email protected]

If you would like to apply please email [email protected] with a covering letter (max 1-2 pages) and your CV as an attachment. Contact details for two references must also be provided.

In the covering letter we are looking to hear why you would like to work for us and why you are suitable for the role.

Please note, emails not containing a covering letter and CV as an attachment will not be considered for short listing.

The closing date for submissions is 9 am Monday 14th October 2024. As we will be unable to respond to all applicants, if you have not heard from us by Friday 18th October, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted this time.

Please note that for short listed candidates, interviews will take place on Friday 18th October 2024.

The interview process will involve a typical interview question and answer discussion with the Operations Manager Kate and business owner, Lauren. Following that you will then be asked to complete several practical tasks, typical of the things you would do as part of the role that will assess your skills and suitability for the role.