Sales & Retail Assistant
ROLE:
Seasonal September to May (must be available for minimum 6 months to benefit from training) or Permanent with part-time winter hours 25 - 30 hours).
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- Opportunity to work and live in Stewart Island / Rakiura away from the crowds.
- Be part of a small positive team where your contribution matters.
- Experience varied work and develop new skills.
- Attend some of our tours, see wildlife, nature and stunning scenery.
- Interact with visitors from around the world.
- Receive training about our location, systems and customer service.
- Fully furnished staff accommodation is available to rent - limited to 3 persons. This is centrally located, only 5 minutes walk from the Office.
JOB SUMMARY
Work in our Booking Office and Outdoor Shop to gain a thorough understanding of the tours and services we offer. Provide customers with the best choices to suit their interests and abilities by offering them accurate information and by understanding their needs. Sell and promote our tours / services / products, keeping accurate records of all transactions.
Communicate and liaise with customers and other staff members to ensure the smooth running of all tours and services. Being a point of contact for staff in the field. Ensure stock is well displayed, carry out restocking. Maintain the overall appearance of our office and shop.
SALARY
Pay is negotiable subject to skills and experience.
LOCATION: Stewart Island / Rakiura.
Stewart Island is a largely unmodified Island, almost entirely in wilderness, except for Oban Township and the surrounding 28 kms of road. Approx. 400 people live here permanently.
Daily flights occur to / from Invercargill, with daily ferry services to / from Bluff. Locals and residents receive a discounted service on both forms of travel. Some of our key amenities include: a restaurant, cafes, grocery store, library, garage, tourist booking offices, museum, Department of Conservation visitor centre, nurses clinic, volunteer fire brigade, golf course, community centre / gymnasium, kindergarten, primary school.
Stewart Island is a wonderful place for anyone who thrives in a semi-remote location, enjoys nature and the outdoors. The are opportunities to, hike, fish, dive, hunt along with a variety of indoor activities.
Accommodation is limited in Stewart Island. We aim to source accommodation for our staff.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience is a small owner / operated nature tourism business, operating entirely in Stewart Island since 2000. Our customers are New Zealanders and internationals from over 40 countries. We are Qualmark endorsed. The business was started by Furhana who works full time in the business as the key guide and in a multiple number of other roles.
As international markets open up again, and demand increases, we are seeking to employ several permanent and seasonal staff.
Nature, wildlife and the environment are our key focus and trying to operate sustainably. The business actively seeks to develop a positive team, with supportive, caring, reliable and competent staff, so that our customers are able to undertake our tours, are treated as individuals and get the best possible attention and service we can offer.
The tours we offer are listed on this website.
Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi is the boat owned by the business to provide a water taxi service for its guided tours and for independent customers as well as boat cruises.
The business also operates a small outdoor shop (located within the booking office).
We operates all year round, however, the majority of the work is highly seasonal, driven by visitor demand.
ABOUT THE ROLE
- You will report to and provide support to the Owner / Operator
- Your customer service and selling skills will ensure the business and its staff have work to engage them and allow for the cashflows to operate.
- Your input will help increase customer satisfaction, improve feedback and recommendations for our tours and services, along with repeat business.
- You will be responsible for providing the customer with timely and accurate information, ensure they are fully informed and are making the right choices.
- Your attention to detail, time management and excellent communication skills, will ensure other staff are able to fulfil their obligations in making our customer’s journey a quality service of a high standard.
- Your reliability and assistance in the day to day operations will be essential to the well running of the business and provide support to other staff out in the field.
DUTIES (day to day responsibilities)
Dependent on our ability to recruit additional staff, you may be working on your own for a significant amount of time and / or with the Owner. The role carries a high level of responsibility, requires maturity, confidence and good decision-making. It is suitable for a quick learner with attention to detail as there is a significant amount to learn.
TRIP FAMILIARISATIONS
- Attend trip familiarisation on the key trips as determined by the owner.
BOOKING OFFICE
- Gain a through understanding of all the products and services offered by the business. Attend some of our tours.
- Accurately assess customer interests and abilities and provide them with accurate and appropriate information about options before selling and confirming tours.
- Process payment, maintain records and provide receipts.
- Check-in / brief clients before trips and if required debriefing clients after trips
- Brief Guides and Skipper (prepare and maintain accurate records).
- Assist in arranging packages (including travel / accommodation) and liaising with suppliers as and when required.
- Maintaining VHF Radio or mobile / phone contact with staff as required and be the support person when staff are out in the field.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & GIFT SHOP
- Provide accurate information about products for sale and hire.
- Assist / inform customers about the use of gear.
- Sell / hire stock, process payment, maintain accurate records and provide receipts.
- Restock items and ensure stock is well displayed.
OTHER DUTIES
- Carry out any other reasonable task to support the business.
HOURS OF WORK
40 hours a week from September to April / May and part-time 25 - 30 hours over winter months.
EXTENDED HOLIDAYS
As a tourism business we are required to work during the key tourist months October to April. Staff are not required to work on Christmas Day and may get some other public holidays off work along with their regular statutory days off. For permanent staff we encourage taking days holidays during the off-season.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Sales and retail experience and use of Point of Sale an advantage.
- Fluent and accurate spoken and written English with good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent customer services skills (friendly and outgoing).
- Ability to promote and make sales.
- Accurate, with attention to detail and ability to multi-task.
- Good record keeping
- Good computer skills (Windows: word, excel, Mac: pages, numbers)
- Full NZ Driver’s Licence preferred
- Current First Aid (valid for at least 12 months at start of employment).
- Punctual with good time keeping
- An interest in the outdoors and advantage.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Position is predominantly office based, however, a good level of health and fitness is required in order to attend trip familiarisations.
We prefer non-smokers. Personal presentation and hygiene are important in this front office role. Staff are provided with a uniform.
CULTURE
We are professional and hard working, focussing on quality, small group tours with opportunities for customers to interact as individuals. We are not a mass tourism business.
Our priority is to provide excellent customer service, to maintain high standards and ensure the safety and well being of staff and customers.
A positive working environment with a loyal team are essential to our success. Each team members is encouraged to be understanding, kind, supportive and loyal. Honesty is important for along with communication.
BENEFITS
- The opportunity to learn - you will do and see more.
- The opportunity to go on some of our tours.
- Opportunity to develop into other roles with more responsibilities subject to skills and aptitude.
HOW TO APPLY
To set up a time to discuss the job vacancy or for an application form, please email:
Furhana