About the position
As a Wine Steward at Giant Eagle, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the wine drinking experience for our guests. Your charm, knowledge, and persuasive skills will be essential as you guide customers through the selection of wines, ensuring they have the right glasses and pouring techniques to enjoy their choices fully. This position is not just about selling wine; it's about creating a memorable experience that sets our stores apart from the competition. You will be responsible for offering recommendations that pair wine with food and entertainment, showcasing your expertise to position our stores as the go-to destination for wine and beer. To thrive in this role, you must be a team player, understanding that your success is intertwined with the success of your colleagues. You will support your team, drive your career growth in leadership, and inspire those around you. Your responsibilities will include participating in ongoing training programs, adhering to local and state liquor laws, and maintaining a clean and safe environment for both team members and guests. You will also engage with customers, providing knowledgeable recommendations and ensuring compliance with all relevant guidelines. In addition to your customer-facing duties, you will take an active role in building the store's beer and wine assortment, planning promotional operations, and developing unique tasting events. Your ability to communicate effectively with distributors and team members will be crucial in maintaining inventory levels and driving sales. This position offers a unique opportunity to blend your passion for wine with exceptional customer service, all while being part of a supportive and dynamic team at Giant Eagle.
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate strong knowledge, interest and passion for products and services associated with the role.
- Participate in ongoing product and customer service training programs; attend distributor trade shows as necessary.
- Understand and adhere to all relevant local, state and federal laws/guidelines as well as company policies.
- Participate in in-store team meetings and regional meetings.
- Attend and conduct daily team huddles as directed by Team Leader.
- Ensure store and personal compliance with State Liquor Laws and company policies regarding Alcohol.
- Maintain cleanliness of equipment, tables, utensils, and floor to ensure safety and sanitation regulations are met.
- Knowledge of code dating.
- Visit competition regularly and at least once a month.
- Maintain safety as the top priority in all aspects of work for Team Members, guests, and products.
- Assist customers with B/W/L purchases by providing knowledgeable recommendations and suggestions.
- Enable unparalleled guest service by leading the team by example, striving to delight and surprise guests, vendors, and stakeholders.
- Take an active role in building the store's beer/wine assortment throughout the year and at resets.
- Plan seasonal and major promotional operations with the Store Leader for out-of-department display placement and keep record of results.
- Oversee the wine list, helping to maintain it for the restaurant, and suggest additions to fit the chef's dishes if necessary.
- Assist with implementing marketing techniques to drive sales.
- Develop and execute merchandising and marketing programs to drive sales and profit margins.
- Be comfortable talking to guests and making knowledgeable recommendations to suit their tastes.
- Ensure that you are knowledgeable and approachable, without being intimidating.
- Follow proper procedures to ensure BWL meets out-of-stock, shrink, and inventory level goals.
- Perform all functions of a Team Leader in his/her absence, when necessary and where appropriate.
- Direct Team Members by using work lists and understanding and performing all duties required, including directing, overseeing, and evaluating training of new and current Team Members.
- Develop unique customer tasting events and sampling programs.
- Write department orders, monitor ordering, and supervise stocking and receiving with latest tools and technology/automated ordering systems.
- Track and reduce out of stocks and participate in taking of physical inventories.
- Utilize all available tools to help reduce and eliminate shrink.
- Ensure proper ordering, receiving, and stocking of BWL products, and proper signage within the department.
Requirements
- 1 to 3 years of experience in a related field.
- Strong customer service experience required.
- Wine knowledge and/or wine industry experience preferred.
- Experience in retail food, catering, or restaurant environment is desired.
- High school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Certificate from a sommelier organization, such as The Court of Master Sommeliers is strongly preferred.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
Benefits
- Career growth opportunities
- Supportive work environment
- Employee discounts
- Training and development programs
