Shropshire Hills Distillery Ltd (Ludlow Distillery)
1. JOB TITLE: Retail Assistant & Assistant Brand Ambassador
2. REPORTS TO: Retail & Tourism Supervisor
3. ABOUT US
Ludlow Distillery is an independent craft distillery based at Ludlow Farmshop, part of the historic Plymouth Estate near Ludlow, producing a growing range of award-winning English spirits including gin, whisky, rum, and liqueurs. Alongside the distillery, the business also operates Ludlow Fine Wines, a specialist wine merchant and wholesaler supplying the hospitality trade.
We welcome visitors throughout the year for tours, tastings and experiences such as our popular Gin School. As a small and ambitious team, we take pride in sharing our passion for craft spirits, hospitality and local provenance, offering visitors a warm welcome and a memorable insight into the world of distilling.
4. ROLE
To deliver an outstanding visitor experience at Ludlow Distillery through retail sales, public tours and customer engagement, while supporting the growth of the Ludlow Distillery brand both on-site and at external events.
This is a casual role within a small pool of trained staff, with shifts offered as required to support tours, retail activity, events and seasonal demand across the distillery. Shifts vary depending on the activity — from shorter periods covering individual tours to a full shift covering the shop or at external tasting events.
The role involves managing day-to-day retail activity in the distillery shop, delivering engaging and informative tours, supporting visitor experiences such as Gin School, and representing the distillery at external tasting events and promotions.
You will often be the first person visitors meet, helping create a warm and memorable introduction to Ludlow Distillery. Whether guiding guests around the stills, recommending a bottle in the shop, or sharing a tasting at a local event, you will play an important role in bringing the story, craft and personality of the distillery to life.
You’ll feel comfortable presenting confidently to small groups and bringing the distillery story to life with energy and enthusiasm, and you’ll enjoy helping visitors discover their favourite Ludlow spirits while confidently recommending products they’ll love.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES
Retail & Visitor Experience
· Working in the distillery retail shop, promoting and selling the full Ludlow Distillery product range
· Assisting with distillery tour bookings and visitor enquiries
· Opening and locking up the premises when required
· Setting up for distillery tours, including conducting appropriate health and safety checks
· Delivering informative and engaging public tours of the distillery
· Engaging visitors in an interesting and welcoming way while sharing the story of our distillery and products
· Delivering an outstanding level of customer service to everyone who visits
· Supporting the Brand Ambassador in developing retail and tourism activity
· Maintaining strong product knowledge in order to confidently recommend products and drive sales
· Maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and presentation of the retail and visitor areas
· Managing retail stock and assisting with inventory management and stock rotation
· Maintaining attractive retail displays and merchandising in the distillery shop
· Supporting Gin School experiences where required
· Supporting on-site events hosted at the distillery
Brand & Event Support
· Representing Ludlow Distillery and Ludlow Fine Wines at external tasting events, festivals and promotional activities
· Driving sales and promoting our brands at these events
· Supporting preparation for events, including packing stock and display materials
· Occasional travel to events in the local region
6. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
· Experience delivering excellent customer service
· Experience working in a customer-facing retail or hospitality environment
· Ability to fluently engage with customers, both verbally and in writing
· Ability to confidently speak to groups of visitors
· Knowledge of standard retail processes including cash handling and daily opening/closing procedures
· Strong communication and interpersonal skills
· A professional and well-presented manner appropriate for a visitor-facing role
· Ability to work independently once trained
· Flexibility and willingness to take on varied tasks and responsibilities
· Ability to follow procedures accurately and maintain attention to detail
· Willingness to embrace and uphold the values and ethos of the company
· A positive attitude and ability to work effectively as part of a small team
· Physical fitness, including occasional handling of boxes weighing up to 10kg
· Ability to travel to and from the distillery
· Weekend availability is essential
Desirable
· Experience working in tourism, visitor attractions, events or food & drink
· An interest in craft spirits or local produce
· Full UK driving licence preferred (to support travel to external tasting events)
· Non-smoker (smoking/open flame is forbidden on or near the premises)
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
