A Yarn Story is Hiring!

A Yarn Story is looking to add two members to the team!

Please take a look at the job descriptions below and interested candidates are invited to submit their application including:

• Current CV
• Cover letter stating their interest
• Social media names/identities

Deadline for applications is Friday, August 25th and all applications should be sent to hello@ayarnstory.co.uk

A Yarn Story specialises in hand-dyed yarns and luxury fibres from around the world for the hand knitting and crochet industry. Started in Nov 2014 the shop has grown a global presence driven by our passion for making, community and sustainable business practices. We are a multifaceted enterprise with both a brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retail as well as a sister yarn brand, Walcot Yarns and a division dedicated to events. Run by a small, dynamic team with a ‘no challenge is too big’ attitude we work hard and have a lot of fun.

Dog lovers are also encouraged to apply! Peaches is our friendly shop dog: an enthusiastic Irish Setter who loves people and being part of the shop. While Peaches isn’t necessarily in the shop all day or every day, if you’re allergic or ‘not a dog person’ this sadly might not be the right job for you. 

Shop Assistant / E-commerce Admin

We’re looking for an intermediate to advanced knitter who can also demonstrate some crochet skills. You must be passionate about yarn and knitting as well as savvy online. Comfort and familiarity with e-commerce, social media and Ravelry is a plus!

While knitting and crochet skills are important, this position requires exceptional customer service skills. A Yarn Story is a destination yarn shop (both the brick & mortar and online version) and we pride ourselves on the high level of service that we offer to our customers. We’re also a social shop, with many customers participating in our regular Knit Nights and events.

Also as important as superb knitting and customer service skills is your ability to problem solve – often on the spot! You should be able to suggest alternative yarns to the ones suggested in a pattern, answer questions about gauge adjustments, have a good idea of when an error in a project can be fixed by ‘fudging’ or if it needs to be ripped back, and know that blocking solves a multitude of sins – or any other issues that a knitter may bring to you.

As fun as it is to work in a yarn shop, the role of the Shop Assistant is also a physical one. We’re often up and down stairs to our stockroom in the basement, climbing ladders or stools to restock shelves, or carrying boxes of yarn or notions following deliveries of products.

To help us manage our web presences we are looking for someone detail oriented and tech savvy, good at following set processes, with a good understanding of the online customer experience. Need to be happy with monotonous tasks and navigating your way around websites, editing photos and writing copy as well as some photography skills as the team often snap photos of new product arrivals for social media and other marketing content.

Finally, flexibility and a positive attitude will serve you well in this job! Changes happen in the shop all the time and so may your duties. There’s always lots to do from restocking shelves, taking inventory for re-orders or putting together packages for orders from our busy online shop.

Job Requirements

• Intermediate or above knitting ability
• Strong Computer skills including digital photo editing
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Natural aptitude for problem solving
• Ability to carry up to 20kg for short distances unassisted (including up or down stairs)
• Detail oriented

Tasks Include:

• Retail customer service
• Pattern support / assistance
• Occasional Social media support
• Website upkeep
• Creating and updating product listings
• Stock taking / management across multiple channels
• Shipping online orders
• Communication with rest of team

The Shop Assistant / E-commerce Admin role is a seasonal part-time position of approximately 15 – 23 hours per week starting in September with an end date in December. You must be able to work weekdays and weekends.

Sales and Operations Manager

We’re looking for an experienced manager with exceptional organisation and customer service skills. This role will be running day-to-day operations across all projects with a focus on the wholesale side of the business liaising with shops and collaborators on a variety of projects. Comfort and familiarity with email, spreadsheets, social media and e-commerce is a must!

This role will be data driven and an understanding and familiarity with sales and production forecasting is a necessity. You’ll be monitoring and managing wholesale and retail sales across channels, executing marketing strategy, production planning and more. The position will encompass all aspects of the business.

Written communication skills are essential as you’ll be writing website copy, newsletters, managing projects with partners and communicating with customers about events. If talking with people is something you love, then this is for you. Sales is a large part of the role as we look to expand in the coming year.

Also as important as superb organisational and customer service skills is your ability to problem solve. While this role is flexible and can we done from home, occasional days in the warehouse or shop counting, organising, taking photographs and lifting boxes may be needed. There is a physical aspect to this role carrying boxes of yarn or tools following deliveries of products.

Finally, flexibility and a positive attitude will serve you well in this job! Changes happen in the shop all the time and so may your duties.

Job Requirements

• Extremely organised and able to manage multiple projects and streams of information
• Strong Computer skills
• B2B Sales Experience
• Creative Thinking and People Management
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Natural aptitude for problem solving
• Ability to carry up to 20kg for short distances unassisted
• Detail oriented

Tasks Include:

• Wholesale customer service
• Email support and management
• Newsletter writing
• Marketing planning and Social media support
• Website upkeep
• Creating and updating product listings
• Inventory management across multiple channels
• Sales and production forecasting
• Running sales reports
• Data analysis
• Communication with rest of team

The Operations Manager role is a full-time position of 30 hours per week ideally starting in September. This role is 80% work from home and whilst we expect you to be available during normal working hours. We know you are great at your job, so can give you some flexibility to do it how and when you want.

This position has a starting salary of £23,500 per annum.

All roles are commensurate with experience and A Yarn Story is a living wage employer.