Guest Experience & Gift Shop Associate

JOB TITLE:

Guest Experience & Gift Shop Associate

POSITION DETAILS:

Hourly (nonexempt) | On-site position | Kansas City, MO

REPORTS TO:

Hospitality Operations Management

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Guest Experience & Gift Shop Associate is often the first person to welcome guests to J. Rieger & Co. and plays an important role in creating a memorable distillery experience. This position supports both our front desk and gift shop, helping guests navigate their visit, checking in tours and tastings, and assisting with retail purchases.

We’re looking for someone who is warm, welcoming, outgoing, and energetic, with a positive attitude and a passion for hospitality. The ideal candidate enjoys connecting with people, working as part of a team, and making every guest feel at home.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Welcome guests, answer questions, and help them find the right destination for their experience.
• Answer and direct phone calls, take messages, and communicate guest needs to the appropriate team members.
• Check in guests for tours and tastings, confirm reservations, and coordinate with guides and hospitality teams.
• Share information about our spaces, experiences, products, and upcoming events.
• Assist guests with merchandise and spirits purchases, offer thoughtful recommendations, and accurately process transactions.
• Restock merchandise, maintain displays, and help monitor inventory and communicate product needs.
• Keep the front desk and gift shop clean, organized, and inviting throughout each shift.
• Assist with opening and closing duties, including preparing the space for guests and securing merchandise and supplies.
• Receive and distribute incoming mail and packages and assist with outgoing shipments.
• Address guest questions or concerns with care and involve a manager when additional support is needed.
• Follow company procedures for cash handling, age verification, alcohol sales, and workplace safety.
• Communicate with and support fellow team members to ensure a seamless guest experience.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Starting hourly pay: $17-$19/hr based on experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible full-time employees
• Paid time off accrued on an hourly basis, subject to eligibility and company policy
• 401(k) retirement plan, subject to plan eligibility requirements
• Overtime compensation as required by applicable law

HELPFUL EXPERIENCE:

• Previous experience in hospitality, retail, customer service, or a guest-facing role.
• Strong communication, organization, and multitasking skills.
• Experience using point-of-sale systems, handling payments, or working with reservations.
• Interest in learning about J. Rieger & Co., our spirits, and the experiences we offer.
• Interest in learning and communicating J. Rieger & Co.’s products, history, and production methods.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to remain on one’s feet and move throughout hospitality and event spaces for extended periods, including shifts of eight hours or longer.
• Ability to frequently walk, bend, reach, twist, crouch, push, pull, and use stairs while providing service and completing assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds, with assistance or appropriate equipment when necessary.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand and arm movements associated with carrying, serving, clearing, polishing, and entering orders.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests and team members in environments that may be crowded or noisy.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments that may include loud noise, crowds, dim lighting, variable temperatures, weather conditions, wet or slippery surfaces, stairs, and uneven walking surfaces.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts based on business needs.

The physical requirements and work-environment conditions described above represent those generally necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

J. Rieger & Co. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, performance, and legitimate business needs without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Missouri, or local law.

J. Rieger & Co. provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and to qualified applicants and employees with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process should contact the hiring team.

J. Rieger & Co. prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against applicants or employees who exercise rights protected by law.