Retail Manager

Are you an experienced retail manager looking for a permanent job in New Zealand? If yes, read on!

The iconic Zealong Tea Estate presents you with a rare opportunity to join our team as a Retail Manager for our award-winning retail store.

Who we are

Widely regarded as a Waikato icon, Zealong Tea Estate is New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate, producing 100% organic multi award-winning tea, and a world-leading destination for tea, art and hospitality. Offering stunning views, a variety of function venues, public activities and tours, our multi-talented team is dedicated to creating an extraordinary guest experience every day in an unrivaled setting. Our iconic award winning retail store oozes class and style that would be the envy of many international, premium brands, and could potentially be your next place of work!

The Role

As a tea loving Retail Manager, you will be joining a high performing sales team in an immaculate and extremely premium setting. You will be responsible for taking our customers on a seamless journey through exceptional storytelling, in order to build enduring relationships, whilst both creating and maximizing sales opportunities at every level. You must be organized, detail-oriented, and knowledgeable of our products with an engaging, upbeat personality.

The successful applicant will have strong managerial skills, the ability to effectively run the daily operations of the boutique and the passion required to inspire their team to achieve set KPIs and budgets.

Work days at our Tea Estate are rarely the same from one to another. This role suits someone who enjoys the unexpected and can readily drop what they are doing and be happy to get stuck in and help colleagues in other hospitality departments when necessary.

The role may also require the successful candidate to take on some tour management tasks for which guidance and training will be provided.

This is a Full-Time Permanent Position on a rotating roster, depending on the successful candidate, between 30 to 40 hours of work a week, where you will be expected to work at least one weekend every fortnight.

 In-depth product knowledge training will be provided to the successful applicant.

Retail Boutique Manager’s Duties and Responsibilities

Guest Experience

• Greet customers and make them feel welcome
• Be attentive to customers, providing answers to any questions
• Assist shoppers with merchandise and ensure a good fit for the customer and the product
• Make recommendations and upsell our products
• Ensure customers are well-informed on any current sales, rewards programs, and store return policy

Sales and Revenue 

• Drive sales and meet set KPIs
• Search for and recommend to management new product lines that complement the existing products sold
• Propose appropriate and brand relevant marketing and promotional activities to increase sales

People Management

• Lead your retail assistants by example, setting high standards commensurate with your role as well as with the Zealong brand
• Manage and roster a team of retail assistants
• Lead, coach and train your team to ensure they are consistently growing in skills, confidence and effectiveness in their roles
• Where necessary, performance management of the retail assistants in compliance with internal processes

Boutique and Product Management

• Maintain a clean, organized and well presented luxury retail store
• Restock items that are running low and maintain proper display appearances
• Assist with inventory counts and placement of new products, including new in-store or window displays
• Keep a watchful eye for theft or mishandling of merchandise; act according to company policy
• Process payment by using cash register, credit card machines, and/or POS (point of sale) computer system

Retail Boutique Manager’s Requirements and Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following:

• Familiarity with luxury retail & possess exceptionally articulate communication style and personal presentation
• A solid understanding of luxury clienteling & storytelling 
• A minimum 5+ years retail sales experience in a boutique or premium establishment
• A minimum of 1-2 years' experience in a management role within a similar retail business
• A strong business acumen to work to budgets, create weekly rosters and analyse reports based on KPIs
• Performance management experience.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• An exceptional eye and attention to detail
• Computer literate and comfortable using POS systems
• Physically fit

The perks include:

• Work with a vibrant team of high achievers driven by success
• Work in a majestic, breathtaking countryside setting and yet be within minutes from the bustling Hamilton City
• A competitive salary including generous staff discounts
• Drink world class, multi-award winning tea to your heart's content
• Be part of an organisation that is committed to sustainability
• Free parking provided

We understand that a career change is a big decision, therefore we would be happy to have a confidential conversation with you about the role before you submit your application. Email HR at [email protected] or telephone 07 854 0988 (ext 212) for a confidential chat.

We are accredited employers and can support your AEWV application.