Our client is looking for a local and experienced Housekeeper/Cook for a long-term position - Wiltshire

The Housekeeper must have a minimum of 3 years' previous experience working within an ever-changing environment.  Private House, Estate, or Hotel experience is essential. The Housekeeper must have the flexibility to join an existing small team and be happy to adapt when needed to meet the client's high end expectations.  A person who sees change as a positive challenge rather than a hindrance, and can anticipate needs with a can-do attitude.  A person with an eye for detail and flair for going the extra mile to reach a goal.

You will need to be a confident driver (to include regular trips to London) with a clean licence, and happy to cook simple family meals.

Duties

• Main priority - ensuring the house is always kept to a high standard. Working on a rota with other staff/5-day week. Family of 4.
• Based in the Southwest most of the time with travel to London to help cover staff.  Also willing to travel out of the UK with the family in the summer on occasion.
• All day-to-day housekeeping duties including, but not limited to: cleaning of all rooms, vacuuming, mopping floors, dusting, cleaning windows (inside), making and changing beds, preparing rooms for family & guests, cleaning up after meals, emptying bins, care of furniture and fine objects, flower arranging, and care of house plants.
• Attending to the family with a high level of service and care when they are at the property.
• Plan as a team to undertake an ongoing in-depth program of deep cleaning/specific tasks (ie carpet cleaning etc) which can be done when the house is unoccupied.
• Care of all laundry including machine and handwashing, ironing, folding/hanging clothes, occasional sewing and mending of garments, handling and care of special fabrics, taking items for dry cleaning etc.
• Organising of wardrobes, packing and unpacking suitcases, shoe polishing, and repairs.
• Ordering and maintaining household supplies as required including cleaning products, linen, equipment etc. Knowledge of products with an eye for detail.
• Laying of tables for both informal and formal meals.  Serving at the table on occasion and serving drinks.
• Food shopping/ordering.
• Such other duties as may reasonably be required.
• Communicating with the wider staff within the Estate, must work well with others as a team player.  Proactive, energetic, and willing to adapt from a regular routine to a busier environment.
• Greeting and care for daytime and overnight guests when required.

Childcare

• Assisting with childcare when the family are in residence.
• Babysitting as required on occasion.
• Providing well-balanced and nutritious meals appropriate to the needs of the children. Family normally all eat together.

Cook Duties

• Preparing and cooking meals on rotation for the family when they are in residence if required, and for occasional dinner parties/BBQ in accordance with their preferences and dietary requirements. Simple cooking but must be confident in the kitchen.
• Planning and management of food stocks, ordering of groceries.
• Management of fridges, freezers, other food storage areas to ensure all items are kept correctly and to reduce wastage.
• Maintenance of wine cellar, monitoring of wine stock levels, and advising when orders need to be placed.
• Responsibility for recording and reporting of purchases and expenses relating to household purchases.
• Timely reporting of maintenance/equipment issues.  Reporting of any faults for the attention of external contractor team within the estate.
• Such other duties as may reasonably be required.

Essential Criteria

• Previous experience in a similar role supporting UHNW within a Private House or Estate.
• Very high attention to detail.
• A positive, can-do attitude.
• Excellent communication skills – to include email and WhatsApp usage.
• Preferably have a good standard of written and spoken English.
• Trustworthy and able to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Longevity in previous employment.
• Verifiable, checkable references.
• Able to prioritise and multitask effectively.
• Right to work within the UK.
• Current DBS will be required.

Salary and Benefits

• Excellent Salary at the high end for the right candidate with annual reviews.
• Pension.
• Plus other benefits.
• Car provided for business use.