Wine Shop Manager: A Job Description

A wine shop manager is responsible for stocking and selling wine. However, the roles and responsibilities of a successful manager go well beyond those basic tasks. The right employee for a wine retailer will have a passion for wine. He or she will know how to enjoy it, what to recommend, and what their customers really want when they wander into the wine shop.

The best candidates will have demonstrated experience both in the wine industry and in business or retail. Anyone with a background working in the service industry will bring the right skills and talents to this role. You also want someone who can build the brand of a wine store. They should have ideas about how to make the store stand out. They need to know how to communicate the benefits of buying wine from that shop in particular, and not another shop or a large grocery store.

Good managers in a wine store will also be geniuses when it comes to marketing and event planning. Tastings and educational events can go a long way in selling wine and building a brand. So, the ideal candidate will be willing to organize events like this. They will have partnerships and relationships within the community to help spread the word about such events. A good marketing and advertising skill set is essential.

There also needs to be a clear understanding of how a store is run. The manager will be responsible for scheduling employees, placing orders, negotiating rates and discounts, and making appropriate pricing recommendations. Not only does a good manager have experience with wine and with retail, he or she will also have a lot of experience with people. Knowing how to manage people and how to manage customers is essential. Those are two very different audiences, but both of them need to be served. Payroll and accounting and staff reviews are all part of managing any small business or shop.

When you’re looking for a wine shop manager, choose someone who can balance the responsibilities of serving customers with the responsibilities of running a profitable business. You need an outgoing and friendly person who can bring people into the store and give them a reason to stay. The manager will be the public face of your establishment’s brand. Don’t hire quickly. Take your time and review qualifications. Engage in long interviews. Get to know who you’re really hiring for your store.