Retail Manager (Wine Jobs: Wine Retail & Sommelier)

  New Luxury Drinks Retailer

  Central London, England

We are opening a new luxury spirit and wine store in Spring 2024, and are now recruiting for an experienced, ambitious and charismatic Retail Store Manager. Located in a special part of Central London, the retail store will become home to a range of exquisite and interesting spirits, fine wines, Champagnes and especially whisky.

Position Overview:

As Retail Manager, you will be the driving force behind recruitment, and training, and will be empowered to deliver unrivalled levels of customer service.

The range will be relatively small, boutique and premium to include exceptional whiskies from around the world, fine wines from old and new world producers and other desirable spirits and Champagnes.

The successful candidate will be a key influencer over range development and extensions, work together with the Ecommerce Manager, and is expected to have a wide network across the wine and spirit industry. You will help the business identify small, interesting product parcels and rare finds.

Your responsibilities will include stock management and ordering, an annual marketing calendar to include in store tastings and customer events, as well as promotion of the business across all channels.

Innovative and creative in your approach, you will put customer service and a unique range at the heart of the operation.

Key Responsibilities:

·        Recruit, develop and manage a high performing, customer service orientated team

·        Input to and management of the annual budget and all associated financial tasks for the store including payroll

·        Provide a weekly sales forecast and actual sales report

·        Identify areas for growth and any other commercial opportunities

·        Manage all of the day-to-day operations of the store

·        Develop direct relationships with wine and spirit producers/agencies

·        Actively seek out stock allocations, small parcels and rare finds

·        Work closely with the Ecommerce Manager on range control and stock management

·        Maintain a view of current industry trends and competitor activity

·        Create an annual in store marketing calendar to include customer events and producer tastings

·        Develop a merchandising calendar by season to include regularly changing promotions

·        Develop and manage all digital and other media marketing channels

·        Maintain the highest standard of housekeeping on and off the shop floor

·        Develop a B2B channel - a black book of supplier contacts is highly advantageous

Key Qualifications:

·   At least 5 years management experience in the premium wine and spirit sector, ideally in luxury drinks retail but high-quality hospitality experience would also be considered.

·    WSET Level 3 Wine and WSET Level 3 Spirits or equivalent with demonstrable knowledge in the whisky sector

·        Customer focused and target driven

·        Self-motivated, able to work independently and under pressure

·        Strong leadership and management skills

·        Demonstrates a passion for whisky, fine wines, champagne, and spirits

 

Please upload your CV and a short cover letter telling us about your skills and goals.

 

 

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