Spirits Advisor (Multi-Site)

The Whisky Exchange; Greater London; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff Discount

Tastings

Product Education

Access to Events

Cycle to Work Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Job summary

The Whisky Exchange, a world‑leading specialist retailer, seeks a Spirits Advisor to join our multi-site team in Central London on a 6‑month contract with the possibility of extension. You will build strong relationships with a diverse customer base, provide expert guidance on our wide range of whiskies and spirits, and contribute to a memorable shopping experience.

You will work across Covent Garden, Great Portland Street and London Bridge, with duties including tastings, sample distribution,

Qualifications

• Experience delivering excellent customer service in a retail or hospitality setting.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build rapport with a diverse customer base.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced retail environment with team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist customers across three Central London shops, maximizing engagement and guiding purchases.
• Handle telephone inquiries, messages and transfer calls as needed.
• Order specific products for customers when not in stock and provide timely updates
• Process transactions and handle card and cash payments accurately.
• Ensure health and safety requirements are met and maintain store standards.
• Replenish stock, rotate displays and communicate requirements to management.
• Develop product knowledge for new and existing ranges and participate in tastings and events.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Flexible shifts

Sales experience

Job description

About us

The Whisky Exchange is a world-leading specialist retailer for whisky and fine and rare spirits. We have three shops in central London, a range of flagship shows and events, and an award-winning curated selection of Old & Rare, own-label and exclusive whiskies and spirits. We have an on-trade team supplying the best bars, restaurants, hotels and luxury retailers in the UK (The Whisky Exchange Trade), and a specialist auction platform (Whisky.Auction). Together as One Team we serve a global community of whisky drinkers, fuelled by an enthusiasm for discovering and collecting.

Being part of the Speciality Drinks Group, and the wider Pernod Ricard family, means you'll be working with some of the very best people in the drinks industry and part of a fantastic team that is passionate about everything they do.

The opportunity

Do you have an interest in the drinks industry? Are you keen to develop your knowledge and expertise in a booming industry? Whether your tipple of choice is wine, spirits, real ale, or non-alc, The Whisky Exchange covers it all. We have outstanding reputation for range, quality, and for delivering outstanding customer journeys.

In this multi-site role, you will work between our three retail shops in Central London as required on a 6-month contract (with the possibility of extension to the right candidate). The shops are in Covent Garden, Great Portland Street and London Bridge. As a Spirits Advisor, your primary role is to build and strengthen relationships with our diverse customer base. You'll be part of a highly driven team of drinks specialists, responsible for providing an exceptional shopping experience by offering friendly, helpful advice to guide their purchase and build confidence. The ideal candidate is a first-class communicator with a passion for drinks and an eagerness to learn.

The role involves moving, stretching, lifting, bending and carrying of boxes and materials.

The role requires an in-depth knowledge of our product lines, so tasting and sampling spirits up to 60% ABV will be a requirement of the role.

Your unique contribution

• Greeting and assisting customers, maximising engagement and offering samples where appropriate
• Responding to telephone enquiries, taking messages or transferring calls where necessary
• Ordering specific products for customers if not currently available or in stock, and providing order updates
• Processing transactions for customers, handling card and cash payments
• Ensuring all health and safety requirements are met and making corrections where necessary
• Replenishing stock levels on the display, rotating stock where necessary, and communicating requirements to the management
• Continual development of product awareness and understanding for new and existing ranges
• Assisting with private and monthly tasting events, and learning through sampling and developing your palate

Your blend of talent

Our ideal candidate will have a passion for spirits and the drinks industry in general. You'll have excellent customer service skills, be a strong communicator, and be highly effective at teamwork. Due to the nature of the role, you must be flexible to work shift patterns during weekdays and weekends. You'll also have:

• A flexible approach to task handling
• Problem-solving skills
• A strong sense of priority and awareness
• A strong sales track record and able to transfer skills to the drinks sector
• Exceptional attention to detail
• The ability to communicate effectively and clearly with colleagues and customers
• Pride in the way you present yourself, and be professional at all times
• Previous experience in the drinks industry is desirable but not essential.

Benefits of joining The Whisky Exchange

Fun Stuff

Staff Discount at The Whisky Exchange | Tastings | Product Education | Access to Events | Cycle to Work Scheme

Serious Stuff

EAP | Great Parental Leave Policies | Life Cover | Private Medical Insurance

Feel Good Stuff

S&R Initiatives | Career Development | Responsib'All Day | Employee Networks | Flexi Work | 33 Days Holiday (including Bank Holidays)

We're committed to diversity and inclusion.

We promote diversity and inclusion throughout our business. In our teams, we proactively foster a diverse work force and an inclusive culture - an environment where we can truly be ourselves.

We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Please feel free to leave these off your CV and application form if you so wish.