Employment

You will LOVE working for

Grasmere Gingerbread®

Join Grasmere Gingerbread® as we prepare to celebrate our amazing 170th anniversary in 2024.

Situated in the romantic village of Grasmere at the heart of the beautiful UNESCO Lake District National Park, our unique, historic, and multi-award-winning 4th generation family business has stood the test of time.

When you work for us, we consider you to be part of the family and you are a valued individual member of a friendly and close-knit team.

We work hard in our shop, bakery, mail order and admin, and also across the country as Grasmere Gingerbread® attends a host of fairs, street markets and special seasonal events.

But we have never lost sight of our Victorian family roots. The loving dedication and compassionate ethos of Sarah Nelson - who invented Grasmere Gingerbread® in 1854 - still informs everything that we do.

Join our team and you not only enjoy a competitive salary and host of in-service benefits - including as much Grasmere Gingerbread® as you can eat.

But the backdrop to your daily working life is our stunning Grasmere valley and lake, the cultural and literary heritage of William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, and the sweetest mountain air.

Cumbria not only offers the best of the outdoors but also many cultural experiences; Wordsworth’s and Potter’s homes are open to the public, as are many other historic houses, castles, and gardens.

We even provide an exclusive secluded garden for you to enjoy your breaks against a background of bird song as your health and wellbeing is important to us.

If you are excited to be part of our excellent team and are interested in one of our job vacancies below then please get in touch.

We look forward to hearing from you…

Hours of Work:                    

Part-time hours worked over 2 or 3 days per week (flexible start / finish times to work around school hours).  

Rate of Pay:                          

£29,500 - £35,000 per annum, pro rata. Salary will be commensurate with relevant experience, skills and applicable qualification(s), plus benefits* see below.

Main Purpose of Job:          

To fully embrace the company’s ethos and brand enabling the development and growth in all areas of the business through creative and dynamic sales and marketing activity across the marketing mix.

Ultimately responsible to:   

The Directors

Reporting directly to:          

Head of Marketing & Sales

Internal Liaison:                  

Marketing & Sales team, ecommerce, (dispatch), procurement, production, retail operations and finance.

External Liaison:                 

Media, website developers, designers, printers & marketing associates, tourism and food organisations, PR, photographers, copywriters and relevant agencies, customers, corporate clients and potential stakeholders.

Main tasks of the job:

The brand:

  • Embrace the Grasmere Gingerbread® brand and effectively communicate this through all marketing channels;
  • Promote Grasmere Gingerbread® brand awareness through research (sourcing) and initiatives subject to director(s) approval;
  • Ensure all brand guidelines are met by working with the Stock and Procurement Manager on product development;
  • Effectively communicate the launch of new products and related campaigns internally and externally;
  • Identify potential partner brands to collaborate with on new products and joint promotional marketing activities;
  • Maximise business profile through awards, representations and relevant business classifications.

Publishing:

  • Proof all marketing and sales documentation for both internal and external publications;
  • Work closely with all members of the Marketing and Sales team to create, print and distribute all promotional literature;
  • Manage stock levels of all promotional print;
  • Work closely with the company’s PR agent in respect of press enquiries and support with necessary proofing, distribution and image requests;
  • Consult with Press Officer over media content/activities and organise any media visits;
  • Produce reports as directed by the Head of Marketing and Sales;
  • Provide support to members of the Marketing and Sales team and cover when required;
  • Photography; respond to requests and organize photographers and shoots. 

Website and ecommerce:

  • Maintain the company website and update relevant web pages as and when required;
  • Develop ecommerce alongside the Technical Manager and Dispatch Manager;
  • Ensure website is fully functioning, liaising with the Technical Manager and website designers;
  • Update Grasmere Gingerbread® international websites to fulfill overseas marketing objectives (working with external providers);
  • Manage international websites.

Marketing & Sales

  • Support the Marketing & Sales team as and when required;
  • Perform any duties relevant to the department as and when required;
  • Represent the business at relevant meetings, networking and events.

Essential skills 

  • Attention to detail is paramount;
  • Experience of working within a marketing environment;
  • Highly experienced in print & publications, copywriting, proof reading and eye for detail;
  • Highly effective communicator at all levels both written and verbal;
  • Digital – website maintenance i.e., Microsoft, Campaign monitor, GA4 preferably;
  • Branding experience or understanding;
  • Excellent time management;
  • Able to manage and co-ordinate several projects at once;
  • Highly presentable and personable;
  • Enthusiastic and creative.

Desirable

  • Qualifications in marketing discipline(s);
  • Extensive digital marketing knowledge and/or equivalent qualification;
  • An understanding and appreciation of retail and ecommerce;
  • Food and/or Tourism, Heritage background preferable;
  • Other language skills.

Our provision & benefits:

We offer you the opportunity to work in the most beautiful part of the UNESCO Lake District National Park. As part of a successful friendly family business that prides itself on its social responsibility and commitment to the charitable sector, we offer (points 1, 4 & 5) after 3 months’ probationary period, point 2 after one year’s service.

  1. Health policy with the option to add family members. Includes a cash back scheme for health and everyday essentials and luxuries;
  2. A day’s pay on your birthday;
  3. Free car parking in Grasmere if not resident;
  4. ‘My Cumbria Card’ offering discounts for regional attractions and facilities;
  5. Staff discount;
  6. Paid out-of-work courses benefitting the position;
  7. Free refreshments and as much Grasmere Gingerbread® as you can eat.                                                                                             

To note:                   

  • Special confidentiality agreement;
  • This on-site position is located within the marketing office in Grasmere;
  • At busy times additional working outside normal office hours may be required to meet the demands of the position.

Hours of Work:                    

Part-time hours worked over 3 or 4 days per week (flexible start / finish times to work around school hours). 

Rate of Pay:                          

£29,500 - £35,000 per annum pro rata. Salary will be commensurate with relevant experience, skills and applicable qualification(s), plus benefits* see below

Main Purpose of Job:          

To fully embrace the company’s ethos and brand enabling the development and growth in all areas of the business through creative and dynamic sales and marketing activity across the marketing mix.

Ultimately responsible to:   

The Directors

Reporting directly to:          

Head of Marketing & Sales

Internal Liaison:                  

Marketing & Sales team, ecommerce, (dispatch), procurement, production, retail operations and finance.

External Liaison:                 

Media, website developers, designers, printers & marketing associates, tourism and food organisations, PR, photographers, copywriters and relevant agencies, customers, corporate clients and potential stakeholders.

Main tasks of the job:

Marketing:

  • Manage and coordinate all marketing, advertising and promotional activities;
  • Work with the Head of Marketing and Sales to identify and implement opportunities within the overall marketing plan to meet the company’s objectives;
  • Organise and attend business and public events;
  • Produce reports as directed by the Head of Marketing and Sales;
  • Execute digital marketing advertising campaigns on Meta Business Suite;
  • Collaborate with the Social Media and Digital Executive on online campaigns;
  • Coordinate with external agencies for Google Ads and monitor using GA4;
  • Provide support to members of the Marketing and Sales team and cover when required; 

Sales:                       

  • Support the Sales & Merchandising Manager on seasonal campaigns;
  • Work collaboratively with the Marketing and Sales team on future campaigns to further sales and promotions;
  • Understand and react to sales reports across different mediums and link to marketing activity;
  • Effectively communicate the launch of new products and related campaigns internally and externally;
  • Work with the Sales & Merchandising Manager with large, bespoke, and B2B orders;
  • Be proactive and reactive to sales opportunities.

Tourism and international marketing:

  • Promote Grasmere Gingerbread® to international market through forums, networking, and assets;
  • Promote The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop as a visitor attraction within the wider tourism sector;
  • Host international VIP visits;
  • Research and develop international markets to increase brand awareness and sales.

Events management:

  • Support the Sales Ambassador in the development of the annual events programme and assist at events when required;
  • To ensure the Grasmere Gingerbread® brand is correctly presented to the consumer in line with established guidelines.

The brand:

  • Work alongside the Brand & Publishing Manager to embrace the Grasmere Gingerbread® brand and effectively communicate this through all marketing channels;
  • Promote Grasmere Gingerbread® brand awareness through research (sourcing) and initiatives subject to Director(s) approval;
  • Ensure all brand guidelines are met;
  • Identify potential partner brands to collaborate with on new ventures and joint promotional marketing activities in conjunction with the Brand & Publishing Manager.

Essential skills and experience

  • Attention to detail is paramount;
  • Proven track record of working within Marketing and be able to demonstrate results;
  • Print & publications: copywriting, proof reading and an eye for detail;
  • Highly effective communicator at all levels, both written and verbal;
  • Digital advertising using Meta Business Suite;
  • Digital – website maintenance i.e., Microsoft, Campaign monitor, GA4 preferably;
  • Branding;
  • Excellent time management;
  • Able to manage and co-ordinate several projects at once;
  • Highly presentable and personable;
  • Enthusiastic and creative.

Desirable

  • Qualifications in marketing discipline(s);
  • Extensive digital marketing knowledge and/or equivalent qualification;
  • Digital – website maintenance i.e., Microsoft, Campaign monitor, GA4 preferably;
  • An understanding and appreciation of retail and ecommerce;
  • Food and/or Tourism, Heritage background preferable.

Our provision & benefits:

We offer you the opportunity to work in the most beautiful part of the UNESCO Lake District National Park. As part of a successful friendly family business that prides itself on its social responsibility and commitment to the charitable sector, we offer (points 1, 4 & 5) after 3 months’ probationary period, point 2 after one year’s service.

  1. Health policy with the option to add family members. Includes a cash back scheme for health and also everyday essentials and luxuries;
  2. A day’s pay on your birthday;
  3. Free car parking in Grasmere if not resident;
  4. ‘My Cumbria Card’ offering discounts for regional attractions and facilities;
  5. Staff discount;
  6. Paid out-of-work courses benefitting the position;
  7. Free refreshments and as much Grasmere Gingerbread® as you can eat.                                                                                               

To note:                      

  • Special confidentiality agreement;
  • This on-site position is located within the marketing office in Grasmere;
  • At busy times additional working outside normal office hours may be required to meet the demands of the position.

Due to continuous growth and development we are looking for dynamic experienced individuals for both middle and senior management positions. 

If you are interested, please send your CV to Zoe at people@grasmeregingerbread.co.uk 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Days of work:                                               

5 days (Sunday - Thursday)

Hours of work:                                 

9.00am to 5.30pm* (1-hour lunch)

*From the first Monday in November until the first Monday in January the shop will close at 5pm and therefore half an hour less to be worked each day. From the first Monday in January until the week preceding February Half Term (wherever that may fall) the shop will close at 4:30pm and therefore one hour less to be worked each day.

Rate of pay:                                      

£12 an hour (age 23 and over)  

Bonus:                                               

An annual bonus of £1,000* Only payable on successful completion of worked employment to January 1st each year, (pro rata from employment date).

Length of contract:                          

Permanent

Main purpose of job:                       

To work as part of a small team in a specialist bakery assisting in production of Gingerbread and kitchen operation and to work in the shop providing final presentation of products through packaging and offering first class customer service through knowledge and communication to a wide range of international customers.

Main tasks of the job:                      

Bakery: Product preparation, baking, packaging, cleaning of work areas, quality control, off-loading of deliveries.

Shop: Stock prep, customer service; advising and informing, using electronic point of sale, taking orders, preparing work areas and cleaning, shop housekeeping, stock control; re- stocking and stock rotation, presentation of stock. Flexibility to work at shows as and when required.

Skills and Experience:

  • Reliable and flexible.
  • Can work as part of a small team in a limited and fast paced environment.
  • Presentable for working in a food production environment and customer interface.
  • Can deliver first class customer service and quality performance.
  • Experience not necessary as full training can be given for the right candidate.

Our Provision/Benefits: We offer you the opportunity to work in the most beautiful part of the UNESCO Lake District National Park, and as part of a 4th generation friendly family business that prides itself on its social responsibility and commitment to the charitable sector, but we also offer (points 1 and 7 after 3 months probationary. Points 3 and 4 after a year’s service):

  1. Health policy with the option to add family members which offers a cash back scheme not only for health but everyday essentials and luxuries.
  2. Additional annual bonus payment(s) linked to team performance.
  3. A birthday present of a day’s pay on your birthday.
  4. £50 worth of goodies of your choice.
  5. If not resident in Grasmere, free car parking.
  6. Travel allowance of 50p per mile over and above a total daily commute of 40 miles return, to and from work.
  7. ‘My Cumbria Card’ offering discounts for regional attractions and facilities.
  8. Staff Discount.
  9. Training where necessary.
  10. Payment of out of work courses that would be beneficial to the position.
  11. Uniform – to be worn to company’s code of practice.
  12. Free refreshments and as much Grasmere Gingerbread® as you like while at work.

To note:                     

  • Be able to lift and carry
  • Special confidentially agreement to be undertaken
  • Adhere to the strict company Health & Hygiene policy

 

To apply:   We DO NOT accept CVs attached to an application form – forms must be completed fully to be considered.

Applications will ONLY be accepted on a company application form and submitted by hard-copy ‘by-hand’, by email or by post.  

Application forms can be downloaded from our website under employment or please contact Jane at finance@grasmeregingerbread.co.uk

https://www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk/page/employment/

 

Days of work:                                               

22.5 hours per week. Days and hours to be confirmed but 1 day is expected to be at the weekend.

Hours of work:                                 

9.00am to 5.30pm* (1-hour lunch)

*From the first Monday in November until the first Monday in January the shop will close at 5pm and therefore half an hour less to be worked each day. From the first Monday in January until the week preceding February Half Term (wherever that may fall) the shop will close at 4:30pm and therefore one hour less to be worked each day.

Rate of pay:                                      

£12 an hour (age 23 and over)  

Bonus:                                               

An annual bonus of £1,000* (pro-rata for part-time). Only payable on successful completion of worked employment to January 1st each year, (pro rata from employment date).

Length of contract:                          

Permanent

Main purpose of job:                       

To work as part of a small team in a specialist bakery assisting in production of Gingerbread and kitchen operation and to work in the shop providing final presentation of products through packaging and offering first class customer service through knowledge and communication to a wide range of international customers.

Main tasks of the job:                      

Bakery: Product preparation, baking, packaging, cleaning of work areas, quality control, off-loading of deliveries.

Shop: Stock prep, customer service; advising and informing, electronic point of sale, taking orders, preparing

work areas and cleaning, shop housekeeping, stock control; re- stocking and stock rotation, presentation of stock. Flexibility to work at shows as and when required.

Skills and Experience:

  • Reliable and flexible.
  • Can work as part of a small team in a limited and fast paced environment.
  • Presentable for working in a food production environment and customer interface.
  • Can deliver first class customer service and quality performance.
  • Experience not necessary as full training can be given for the right candidate.

Our Provision/Benefits: We offer you the opportunity to work in the most beautiful part of the UNESCO Lake District National Park, and as part of a 4th generation friendly family business that prides itself on its social responsibility and commitment to the charitable sector, but we also offer (points 1 and 7 after 3 months probationary. Points 3 and 4 after a year’s service):

  1. Health policy with the option to add family members which offers a cash back scheme not only for health but everyday essentials and luxuries.
  2. Additional annual bonus payment(s) linked to team performance.
  3. A birthday present of a day’s pay on your birthday.
  4. £50 worth of goodies of your choice.
  5. If not resident in Grasmere, free car parking.
  6. Travel allowance of 50p per mile over and above a total daily commute of 40 miles return, to and from work.
  7. ‘My Cumbria Card’ offering discounts for regional attractions and facilities.
  8. Staff Discount.
  9. Training where necessary.
  10. Payment of out of work courses that would be beneficial to the position.
  11. Uniform – to be worn to company’s code of practice.
  12. Free refreshments and as much Grasmere Gingerbread® as you like while at work.

To note:                     

  • Be able to lift and carry
  • Special confidentially agreement to be undertaken
  • Adhere to the strict company Health & Hygiene policy

 

To apply:  We DO NOT accept CVs attached to an application form – forms must be completed fully to be considered.

Applications will ONLY be accepted on a company application form and submitted by hard-copy ‘by-hand’, by email or by post.  

Application forms can be downloaded from our website under employment or please contact Jane at finance@grasmeregingerbread.co.uk

https://www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk/page/employment/

 

If you are interested in working with our wonderful team but don’t see a vacancy that is suited to your skillset, please email Ms Zoe Evans on the email address below.

Instructions for applications are as follows:      

  • All applications must be submitted on a company application form which can be downloaded here.
  • If you are unable to download an application form, then please email the People & Culture Manager for a hard copy form.
  • We do not accept CVs or CVs attached to an application form. 
  • To submit your application, please email it to the People & Culture Manager Ms Zoe Evans or hand in at the shop and addressed to the People & Culture Manager, or post your application form, addressing to the People & Culture Manager, The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, Church Cottage, Grasmere, LA22 9SW. 
  • If you have any questions or queries, please do contact Ms Zoe Evans via email. 

Meet Zoe our People & Culture Manager

At the age of 44, after a successful career in HR which included stretches in both the public and private sectors, Zoe Evans recently relocated from Bristol to the Lake District, securing the role of People & Culture Manager at Grasmere Gingerbread®.

“As a regular customer over many years during holidays and long weekend breaks - as Grasmere Gingerbread® is so moreish - I never envisioned that one day I would be working for such an iconic business,” admitted Zoe.

Read more....