Manager, Import Wine

Retail Services & Systems, Inc; North Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 102,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Store discounts

Health care plans

401(k)

HSA/FSA

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Disability & life insurance

Paid parental leave

Tuition assistance

Career development & product training

Job summary

Total Wine & More in Bethesda, MD seeks a Manager, Import Wine to lead buying and category management for imported wines. You will negotiate with vendors, manage supplier relationships, and develop assortments aligned with customer demand and corporate goals.

The role emphasizes data-driven decisions, cross-functional collaboration, and driving growth in key suppliers. Requires 6–8 years in buying/merchandising and strong Excel skills.

Qualifications

• 6-8 years experience of buying, merchandising, or vendor management experience, preferably within wine/alcohol industry.
• Strong understanding of category management principles with proven ability to deliver financial results.
• Advanced analytical skills with ability to interpret sales and margin data to drive decisions.
• Experience building, managing and revitalizing supplier relationships, including negotiating costs, securing assortment opportunities and driving supplier strategic visions.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to build relationships with suppliers and cross-functional partners.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; knowledge of Microsoft Access or other database tools preferred.
• Language skills a plus - Spanish, Italian.

Responsibilities

• Oversee buying and category management for imported categories, ensuring optimal assortments that meet customer preferences and corporate objectives.
• Execute vendor negotiations and manage supplier relationships to secure best costs, build partnerships, and drive differentiated assortments.
• Monitor and analyze sales, margin, and inventory performance to develop actionable plans that achieve financial targets.
• Identify market trends and new product opportunities, recommending assortment enhancements that align with customer demand and business strategy.
• Manage and oversee new item process; set up, ongoing item maintenance, compliance, and supply chain partnerships
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Marketing, Promotions, and Store Operations to implement programs that drive category growth.
• Support private label development initiatives, working with suppliers and internal partners to bring products to market.
• Drive process improvements within assigned categories, enhancing operational efficiency and business performance.
• Support the Director of Import Wine Merchandising in executing strategic initiatives and delivering against team goals.

Skills

Analytical skills

Buying experience

Merchandising

Vendor management

Supplier relationships

Communication

Time management

Excel

Access (MS)

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Job description

About the RoleTotal Wine & More is seeking a Manager, Import Wine to join our Merchandising team in Bethesda, MD. In this role, you will oversee buying for imported wines with a focus on category and supplier management. You will manage vendor negotiations, own supplier relationships and strategies, and assortment decisions to deliver financial results and an exceptional customer experience. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced buyer to shape categories through strategic sourcing and data-driven decision making while developing open needs, trends, and innovation. This role will collaborate cross-functionally to implement programs that drive growth within these extremely important suppliers and categories. You will report to the Director, Wine.You willOversee buying and category management for imported categories, ensuring optimal assortments that meet customer preferences and corporate objectives.Execute vendor negotiations and manage supplier relationships to secure best costs, build partnerships, and drive differentiated assortments.Monitor and analyze sales, margin, and inventory performance to develop actionable plans that achieve financial targets.Identify market trends and new product opportunities, recommending assortment enhancements that align with customer demand and business strategy.Manage and oversee new item process; set up, ongoing item maintenance, compliance, and supply chain partnershipsCollaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Marketing, Promotions, and Store Operations to implement programs that drive category growth.Support private label development initiatives, working with suppliers and internal partners to bring products to market.Support the Director of Import Wine Merchandising in executing strategic initiatives and delivering against team goals.Drive process improvements within assigned categories, enhancing operational efficiency and business performance.You will come withBachelor’s degree in a business-related field, or equivalent experience, is preferred.6-8 years experience of buying, merchandising, or vendor management experience, preferably within the wine or alcoholic beverage industry.Strong understanding of category management principles with proven ability to deliver financial results.Advanced analytical skills with ability to interpret sales and margin data to drive decisions.Experience building, managing and revitalizing supplier relationships, including negotiating costs, securing assortment opportunities and driving supplier strategic visions.Effective written and verbal communication skills to build relationships with suppliers and cross-functional partners.Excellent organizational and time management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; knowledge of Microsoft Access or other database tools preferred.Language skills a plus - Spanish, Italian.We offerPaid Time Off (PTO)Generous store discountsHealth care plans (medical, prescription, dental, vision)401(k), HSA, FSA, Pre-tax commuter benefitsDisability & life insurance coveragePaid parental leaveCollege tuition assistanceCareer development & product trainingConsumer classes& More!Crafted for youWe recognize our team members are our biggest asset, and we value the critical role each play in contributing to the company’s success. It is our commitment to support and provide access to the resources needed to take care of their health and wellbeing. That is why we offer a variety of benefits, tools, and resources to support through our Total Rewards program. To view our full career page, click here: https://careers.totalwine.com/!Total Wine & More considers several factors when establishing compensation. Compensation may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, market location, job-related knowledge, skills and/or experience. The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Estimated salaries determined by third parties have not been validated by Total Wine & More.Total Wine & More is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Total Wine & More makes reasonable accommodations during all aspects of the employment process, including during the interview process. Total Wine & More is a Drug Free Workplace.The information provided above indicates the general nature and level of work required of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or qualifications. Benefits list is only a highlight of some of the benefits offered to team members; eligibility for certain benefits apply. The anticipated close date of this posting is 120 days from the posted date indicated above.Worker Type:RegularPay Range:$101,520.00 - $171,000.00 Annual