Specialist, Wine

Sothebys; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotheby’s Asia seeks a Wine Specialist to liaise with buyers and sellers, provide wine guidance, and secure profitable consignments for sale at auction, while assisting with estimates, inspection, cataloguing and client-facing tasks. This role drives revenue and client activity across Asia.

Ideal candidate has 3+ years in auction or fine wine, strong wine knowledge, a WSET diploma preferred, and fluency in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, with readiness for warehouse work and travel.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in auction or fine wine industry.
• Proficient knowledge of wines and vintages relevant to the auction market.
• English, Mandarin and Cantonese fluency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Negotiation with clients to secure profitable auction consignments.
• Perform inspection for auction wines at warehouse and on-site at clients’ property.
• Maintain accurate records of warehouse inventory.
• Provide a high level of customer service to buyers and sellers.
• Cultivating your own client base of buyers and sellers across Asia.
• Assist with sale administration.
• Assist at wine auctions and related events.
• Events management/participation - including client development and entertainment.
• Assist in promoting all wine sales globally.
• Assist in cross promoting other Asia departments’ sales.
• Active promotion of retail and storage business.

Skills

Client relationship management

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Fluent in English

Fluent in Mandarin

Fluent in Cantonese

Education

WSET Diploma

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

ABOUT SOTHEBY'S

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.

THE ROLE

Reporting directly to the Head of Auction Sales, Asia, the Specialist, Wine will liaise with buyers and sellers, providing wine advice and securing profitable consignments for sale at auction, as well as assisting with auction estimates, wine inspection, cataloguing, attending wine events and other client-facing activities, and other departmental tasks as required. This role will be a key, leading contributor to the department’s revenue and client-facing activity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Negotiation with clients to secure profitable auction consignments.


• Perform inspection for auction wines at warehouse and on-site at clients’ property.


• Maintain accurate records of warehouse inventory.


• Provide a high level of customer service to buyers and sellers.


• Cultivating your own client base of buyers and sellers across Asia.


• Assist with sale administration.


• Assist at wine auctions and related events.


• Events management/participation - including client development and entertainment.


• Assist in promoting all wine sales globally.


• Assist in cross promoting other Asia departments’ sales.


• Active promotion of retail and storage business.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• 3+ years of professional experience in Auction or Fine Wine Industry.


• Proficient base knowledge of wines and vintages relevant to the auction market.


• WSET Diploma preferred.


• High level of attention to detail is a must to ensure accuracy, particularly with regard to data analysis.


• Excellent writing and organizational skills.


• Professional and discreet client service skills.


• Proficient in MS Word, Excel.


• Requires a significant amount of physical work moving cases of wine in our warehouse and in private cellars.


• Some travel required as needed.


• Excellent communication skills – ideally fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please click here. To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please click here.

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.