Auction House jobs in London

Location: Wallington, South London (SM6)
Salary: £28,000 - £30,800 per year
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Work Location: Onsite

London Auctions is a busy and growing auction house based in Wallington, running regular general collectors’ sales.

Our lots cover everything from antiques, collectables and jewellery to ceramics, artwork, furniture and general household contents. Much of our stock comes through house clearances, probate estates and private vendors, so no two days are ever the same.

We’re looking for an experienced Auction Assistant to join our small, hands-on team.

This is a varied auction house role, with some weeks having a strong focus on shipping and others focusing more on lotting and cataloguing.

We’re looking for someone who already understands how an auction house operates and has previous experience working within an online auction environment.

The Role

A key part of your role will be ensuring sold lots are correctly processed, professionally packed and safely dispatched to buyers across the UK and internationally.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Packing and shipping sold auction lots throughout the UK and internationally
• Professionally packing fragile, valuable, unusual and specialist items, including ceramics, glassware, artwork, jewellery, antiques and collectables
• Selecting the correct packaging methods and materials for different types of items
• Processing shipments using Royal Mail Click & Drop
• Completing customs forms, declarations and documentation for international shipments
• Preparing shipping labels, tracking information and dispatch records
• Using Microsoft Excel daily to manage shipping and operational information
• Accurately matching sold lots with buyers, invoices and shipping instructions
• Managing multiple shipments and ensuring lots are dispatched efficiently
• Liaising with buyers regarding shipping, collections and post-sale enquiries
• Working with online auction platforms and supporting the online auction process
• Cataloguing and lotting a wide range of items where required
• Assisting with descriptions, photography and condition reports
• Handling, moving and organising auction stock
• Preparing sold lots for customer collections
• Assisting with viewing days, auction preparation and sale days
• Supporting the wider team with the day-to-day running of the auction house
• Keeping the auction house, warehouse and packing areas organised and efficient

About You

This is not an entry-level position. We’re looking for someone who already has relevant auction and shipping experience and can confidently work within a busy auction environment.

To be considered for this position, you must have:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working within an auction house or professional auction environment
• A good understanding of the full auction process, from receiving and preparing lots through to sale, payment, collection and dispatch
• Previous professional packing and shipping experience, including fragile, valuable and specialist items
• Experience arranging UK and international shipments, including customs forms and shipping documentation
• Experience using Royal Mail Click & Drop
• Experience lotting items and preparing them for auction
• Experience photographing lots for online auction catalogues
• Good attention to detail when recording lot information, descriptions and images
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and good general computer/administration skills
• The ability to manage multiple lots, shipments and deadlines
• Confidence dealing with customers by telephone, email and in person
• A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to move between packing/shipping and auction preparation duties depending on the needs of the business
• The physical ability to safely lift, handle, pack and move auction lots
• A reliable, honest and trustworthy approach when handling customers’ property

A full UK driving licence would be advantageous.

Salary: £28,000 - £30,800 per year

The exact salary will depend on your experience and what you can bring to the role.

Experience Required

• Auction house / professional auction environment: 2 years (required)
• Experience packing & shipping: Required
• Specialist / fragile item packing: Required
• International shipping & customs documentation: Required
• Royal Mail Click & Drop: Required
• Microsoft Excel: Required

Pay: £28,000.00-£30,800.00 per year

Experience:

• Auction House/ Antiques: 2 years (required)
• Microsoft Excel: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person