Staff News

Staff News

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As the saying goes the only constant in life is change. Find out who has recently joined us, who has moved up the ranks, had a baby or achieved recognition, it’s all ‘a happening right here!

Customer Services
Jesse Greatbach

Jesse joined Negociants NZ in our Auckland Customer Services department on 2nd March after recently returning from the UK, where he worked for Selfridges & Co in their online customer contact centre and prior to that, several other customer service related positions. Jesse’s experience and enthusiasm has brought a new and exciting dynamic to the customer services team and has seen him transition easily into his new role.

Inventory Co-ordinator
Tobi Croydon-McCrae

Tobi has joined Negociants NZ on a fixed term contract basis from 4th April in the new role of Inventory Co-ordinator. He will be assisting the Marketing Services & Logistics Manager, Gemma Blair with monitoring and replenishing domestic stocks to our warehouses, as well as other inventory and customer service responsibilities. Tobi has completed his WSET Level 2 and is currently studying a Diploma of Wine. He joins Negociants after two and a half years at Glengarry Wines where he was a Senior Retail Assistant & Despatch Co-ordinator.

Wellington Region

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola Earle as a full time Area Manager for the Wellington Supermarket channel from Monday 4th April. Nicola had been working for Negociants NZ in a part time role in Wellington supermarkets and has proven she is extremely capable and has built strong relationships with her customers. 

Hanna Waddington will resume part-time work with Negociants NZ and assume responsibility for the Wellington Fine Wine Retail and Wholesale channel effective from 18th May. Hanna has worked for Negociants for a number of years and will be working on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. She will recommence full time work in November as Wellington On Premise Area Manager and at that time a new appointment will be announced to ensure a seamless handover of our valued Wellington Fine Wine Retail and Wholesale accounts. Hanna and her husband, Blair welcomed twin girls, Evie and Georgia on 1st December 2015.

Cenna Lloyd continues on as our Wellington On Premise Area Manager on a maternity leave contract for Hanna Waddington until the end of 2016. 

Negociants NZ will also be bolstering our merchandising support in the Wellington region to support our promotional activities and store tastings.

Negociants Staff Xmas Party 2015

Negociant New Zealand's Xmas Party Challenge Winners

Tina and Deanna

The Negociants NZ Staff Christmas party began with staff and their partners participating in a photo scavenger hunt, which produced some very funny photos. It was a terrific icebreaker and put everyone in a great mood for an enjoyable afternoon. Christmas lunch was held at the historic Riverhead Tavern, 40 minutes north of Auckland, where Clive Weston announced the 2015 winner of the Salesperson of the Year Award – Deanna Smith, Auckland Off Premise Area Manager and the Finance & Marketing Person of the Year – Tina Rutherford, Executive Assistant. The bus transfer back to Auckland was a ‘Party Bus’ complete with an excellent sound system and its own fireman’s pole and there were some awesome pole dancing skills on display to make the trip back very memorable. The Christmas party was also the very first time that staff got to meet our new General Manager, Martin McManus who started with Negociants NZ on 5th January 2016.

- Tina Rutherford, Executive Assistant

Long Term Service Milestones for 2016

  • Jane Jackson, National Sales Manager Retail & Wholesale – 20 years
  • Sharon Goldsbro, Reception/Accounts Payable – 10 years
  • Brett Bermingham, Opawa Winemaker – 10 years

Nautilus Vintage Experience March 2016

I arrived in in Blenheim as the Chardonnay grapes were being hand-picked at Renwick Vineyard. It was a hot and sunny Monday, but a ‘rain event’ was looming and all winemakers in the area were on alert. Despite this, the ever calm Clive Jones took us on a tour around Nautilus’ expansive vineyards. The Awatere Valley overlooking the river was by far the standout for me, so picturesque and tranquil. This vineyard houses Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and a small parcel of Chardonnay grapes.

The following days were spent hand sorting the organic Pinot Noir (so many creepy crawlies), eating pies from the local bakery, barrel sampling with Raymond Chan, testing PH levels of the Chardonnay juice, and definitely the most memorable experience – foot plunging the Grüner Veltliner.

Thank you to all the hardworking team at Nautilus Estate, a special mention to Clive and Katy for taking time out of your busy schedules to host us city-slickers.

- Ruby Romanos, Sales & Communication Assistant

Ruby Romanos

 

  

Round the Bays 2016

Sunday March 6th marked the third year that ‘Team NNZ’ participated in the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays. A group of 14 staff and family members ran and walked the 8.4km waterfront course with proceeds from the entry fees going to Heart Kids NZ, CanTeen and a few other local charities. The event was concluded with some well-deserved pizza and a glass or two of Twin Islands and Opawa wines.

- Ruby Romanos, Sales & Communication Assistant

Categories: 
Awards, Events, Issue 2, Staff News