Visitor Experience and Retail Supervisor

Wild Planet Trust; Newquay; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Wild Planet Trust is seeking a Visitor Experience and Retail Supervisor at Newquay Zoo. This role involves leading the visitor experience team, ensuring high standards, and providing excellent customer service. The ideal candidate will have supervisory experience and strong communication skills, with a passion for conservation and education.

Benefits

33 days paid holiday pro-rata

Branded uniform provided

Relevant training provided

Free entry to zoos for staff and family

Discounts in Catering and Retail outlets

Free staff parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in a supervisory role with excellent customer service.
• Ability to upsell and train others.
• Calm under pressure and capable of problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Oversee staff and ensure excellent standards for the visitor experience.
• Coordinate the Reception team and maintain communication across departments.
• Manage stock purchasing and merchandising.

Skills

Customer Service

Communication

Organisational Skills

Problem Solving

Job description

Visitor Experience and Retail Supervisor

Location Newquay Zoo, Trenance Gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ Salary £22,696.70 per annum Application Deadline Monday, June 2, 2025 Job Summary

Wild Planet Trust is a registered education, scientific and conservation charity established in 1957 and based in Devon, UK. We own two zoos in south west England, plus two local nature reserves and a National Nature Reserve. We support conservation in the United Kingdom and overseas using funds generated by the people who visit the zoos and the expertise and dedication of our staff.

Newquay Zoo first opened its doors as a council run seasonal attraction in the 1950s, relocating it to its current site and now permanent home in 1969. Over 50 years later, our site, and work, has grown considerably and we are now one of Cornwall’s most popular tourist attractions and a leading conservation and education centre. There are over 120 species of animal that call Newquay Zoo home.

We have an exciting opportunity for Visitor Experience and Retail Supervisor to join our Visitor Experience and Retail team on a permanent contract. Hours of work will be a minimum of 32.5 hours a week. Working hours will vary over a 7 day rota, including weekends and bank holidays. The salary for this position is £22,696.70 per annum.

What will this role involve?

You’ll be the champion of the visitor experience across our site and will be the face of the Wild Planet Trust for every visitor that meets you as they arrive and explore the zoo. We are looking for a confident and enthusiastic supervisor who will oversee the staff, stock, premises, ensure excellent standards for the visitor experience and coordinate the Reception team. The remit of the post extends across the whole site ensuring that exceptional standards are met and maintained, therefore it is essential to work with all other departments to ensure excellent communication channels are maintained and that feedback is sought and shared.

What skills and experience are required?

The ideal candidates will have experience of providing excellent customer service, ideally in a supervisory position. Stock purchasing and merchandising experience would be beneficial. Excellent communication and organisational skills are essential as is experience of working to deadlines in a fast paced working environment. You should also have the ability and confidence to upsell and train others, be calm under pressure and problem solve.

Benefits of joining our team include:

• 33 days paid holiday pro-rata (inclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Branded uniform provided (as required)
• Relevant internal and external training provided
• Free entry to our zoos for staff and immediate family
• Discounts in our Catering and Retail outlets (as applicable)
• Free staff parking
• Employee Assistance Programme

Please note, we will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews throughout the advertising period for this role. The role may therefore be filled prior to the closing date.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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