CASTLE HOWARD – JOB DESCRIPTION
Retail Assistant
(Skills Framework Level 1)
Castle Howard attracts around 200,000 visitors each year and unlike many
other attractions has succeeded in increasing its visitor numbers in recent
years. Retail outlets at Castle Howard comprise a Garden Centre, a Farm
Shop, two gift shops and a bookshop. All of the retail
outlets are open all year round with the exception of the House Shop
which opens on a seasonal basis.
Castle Howard is determined to develop its leisure and retail interests both
on and off the Estate through innovation, investment, training and
development of staff and offering the highest standards of customer
service.
Located within the Stable Courtyard, the Farm Shop, book shop and gift shop
offer an exciting, high quality range of products.
The Farm Shop has a focus on good quality produce, sourced largely from
the Estate and Yorkshire and showcases some of the best food the region
has to offer.
The main focal points are the traditional butcher's counter selling Estate
Organic Aberdeen Angus beef and the delicatessen counter, which will
offer regional cheeses, pates, smoked fish and cooked meats.
Our gift and book shops stock a range of unique products not generally
available on the high street for something that little bit different.
Our Retail Assistants must be enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals with a
genuine interest in delivering a first class customer experience, who enjoy
working with people – both customers and staff alike - to help establish
and maintain a successful, high quality retail offer. Previous retailing
experience would be advantageous. A systematic and cheerful approach
with a ‘can do’ attitude is essential.
Job Title: Retail Assistant
Job requirements:
 Flexible approach to duties undertaken in all retail
outlets
 Ability to work within a team or on own initiative
as required
 Good understanding of customer service
 Effective communication and organizational skills
 Honesty and a high level of integrity
 Enthusiasm and capacity for hard work
 Attention to detail
 Systematic and cheerful approach with a ‘can
do’ attitude
 Willingness to undertake Food Hygiene qualification
upon commencement of employment (Farm Shop)
Hourly rate: Minimum £6.45 per hour (18 years and over) plus
Group Personal Pension Scheme (including death in
service benefit)
Reports to:
Visitor Services Manager/Retail Manager
Liaising with:
As above and colleagues within the Retail department and other
managers and key employees.
Main Objectives:
 To help establish and maintain the Castle Howard retail
outlets as the region’s premier tourist retail destination
 To help achieve, and exceed, the financial parameters
set down in the departmental budget
 To increase basket spend in the outlets through
excellent product knowledge and customer service
 To help to maintain and promote a high quality,
consistent and distinctive retail offer, consistent with the Castle Howard brand
at all times
Key Tasks:
 Open up and set up shop, stock and equipment for trading day
 Maintain a tidy, clean and neat shop at all times, to include dusting
 of shelves, display units, equipment and stock as necessary
 Maintain a tidy and neat storeroom
 Fill up and maintain stock levels as necessary
 Receive and sign for deliveries
 Check off and price up deliveries as requested
 Maintain excellent levels of customer service at all times
 Maximisation of turnover through active selling techniques
 Process customer sales in a polite and efficient manner
 Request change orders from Duty Manager in a timely manner
 Deal with customer queries and requests
 Awareness of security of house and contents and shop stock and cash
 Report any suspicious activity to Duty Manager
 Awareness/understanding of and adherence to Health and Safety and Hygiene
policy
 Evacuation of staff and public from shop in an emergency
 Report maintenance faults to Duty Manager via completion of Fault Report
Form as and when necessary
 Process changeover and reconciliation of credit card machine
 Break down all cardboard boxes as generated and dispose of rubbish as
requested
 Secure shop and stock at end of trading day
 Any other reasonable duties as requested by the Visitor Services Manager
Duty Manager/Retail Manager.