Spirits Department Sales Lead

Liquor Stores USA; Wasilla (AK); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Afognak Native Corporation is seeking a Spirits Department Sales Lead for Brown Jug Wasilla. You will act as the store’s spirits expert, engage customers, upsell, and promote exclusive products while training team members on product knowledge.

You will partner with store leadership to meet sales goals, coordinate tastings, and ensure department standards and promotions are executed. This role requires a passion for spirits and strong customer service skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Current TAP card or ability to obtain and maintain required alcohol service certification.
• Experience with spirits products and customer engagement.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exemplary customer service and act as the store spirits expert.
• Lead and train team members on spirits knowledge and department standards.
• Conduct in-store samplings and tastings per policy and promotions.
• Maintain department cleanliness, tagging, stock, and merchandising standards.
• Achieve department financial goals and support loss prevention efforts.
• Work a full-time retail schedule including nights and weekends.

Skills

Sales ability

Spirits knowledge

Customer engagement

Team training

Background check

Reliable transportation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

TAP card certification

Spirits certifications (SSS/WSET)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Management Brown Jug Wasilla Warehouse, Wasilla, AK, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1651

Salary Range: $21.00 To $30.00 Hourly

Position Overview:

Brown Jug is a premium retailer of wine, beer, and spirits. We offer a friendly, energetic work environment built around customer service, product knowledge, and active selling.

As the Spirits Department Sales Lead, you will serve as the store’s primary spirits expert. This role is responsible for engaging customers, building sales, supporting the spirits department, training team members on key products, and helping customers find the right bottle for the right occasion.

The Spirits Department Sales Lead should be passionate about spirits, curious about new products, comfortable making recommendations, and able to explain products in a helpful and approachable way. This position is especially focused on active selling, including recommending like items, upselling where appropriate, introducing customers to Brown Jug exclusive and private label products, and suggesting complementary items.

The Spirits Department Sales Lead works in partnership with the Store Manager and Category Management team to maintain department standards, support financial goals, execute product launches and promotions, and build a strong sales culture within the spirits department.

This position will support Store #267 at 2451 E Sun Mountain Avenue.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

Customer Service and Sales:

• Deliver exemplary customer service to every customer


• Act as the store’s spirits product expert


• Greet customers promptly and engage them with friendly, open-ended questions


• Learn what the customer is shopping for and make thoughtful product recommendations.


• Build the sale by suggesting like items, upselling where appropriate, and recommending complementary products


• Promote Brown Jug exclusive brands, private label offerings, barrel picks, new items, and featured spirits


• Attempt appropriate add-ons at the register and on the sales floor


• Thank every customer and help create a positive shopping experience


• Resolve customer concerns related to spirits sales and service, and inform the Store Manager of customer complaints or recurring issues

Spirits Department Leadership and Training:

• Provide leadership and direction for the spirits department in partnership with the Store Manager


• Set the example for active selling, customer engagement, product knowledge, and department standards


• Train and coach store team members on spirits product knowledge, featured items, exclusive products, selling behaviors, and department expectations


• Lead huddles or coaching conversations related to spirits products, promotions, and selling opportunities


• Support a strong sales culture with accountability for customer engagement, add-on selling, product knowledge, and operational excellence


• Communicate clearly and professionally with customers, team members, vendors, sales representatives, Store Manager, and Category Management team

In-Store Samplings and Tastings:

• Conduct in-store spirits samplings and tastings as assigned


• Set up, host, and break down sampling events in a professional and compliant manner.


• Educate customers on sampled products, including flavor profile, category, brand story, serving suggestions, and complementary items


• Use samplings to build customer engagement, introduce new products, support promotions, and increase sales


• Follow all company policies, responsible service standards, ID-check requirements, and applicable laws and regulations related to alcohol sampling


• Ensure sampled products, supplies, signage, and sampling areas are clean, organized, and properly maintained

Department Standards and Store Execution:

• Ensure the spirits department is clean, full, faced, dusted, properly tagged, and presented according to company standards


• Ensure the spirits department flows according to the approved set and merchandising direction


• Verify that shelf tags, sales tags, and exclusive product tags are accurate and current


• Work with sales representatives, the Store Manager, and Category Management team to ensure key spirits products are ordered and available to meet sales demand


• Monitor inventory levels and help maintain appropriate stock levels for core items, featured items, promotional products, and seasonal priorities


• Support product rollouts, launches, seasonal sets, and promotions


• Actively work on the sales floor during peak business hours to observe, coach, sell, and assist customers

Financial and Operational Accountability:

• Meet or exceed spirits department financial goals in partnership with the Store Manager


• Meet or exceed private label, exclusive brand, and featured product targets for the spirits department


• Support loss prevention efforts to protect company inventory and assets


• Identify and communicate issues related to shrink, out-of-stocks, pricing, tagging, merchandising, or customer service


• Balance selling, customer service, department maintenance, and operational tasks based on business needs


• Delegate department tasks appropriately and follow up to ensure completion

Schedule Requirements:

• Must be available to work a full-time retail schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods


• Availability from 11 am – 7 pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays is required


• Schedule may vary based on customer traffic, promotional activity, sampling events, and business priorities

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Work Experience:

• Strong sales ability and comfort actively engaging customers


• Interest in and knowledge of spirits


• Ability to learn and explain spirits products in a clear, approachable way


• Ability to train others on products, selling behaviors, and department standards


• Reliable transportation


• Ability to pass required background check


• Ability to meet all company and legal requirements for selling alcohol and conducting alcohol samplings

Required Education and Certifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent


• Current TAP card, or ability to obtain and maintain required alcohol service certification


• Spirits product training, Certified Specialist of Spirits, WSET Spirits, or equivalent spirits certification preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Able to stand and walk for extended periods of time


• Able to bend, reach, stock shelves, and move product


• Able to safely lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation

Equal Opportunity Employer

Afognak Native Corporation and Afognak’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, partnerships, joint ventures and affiliates to include Alutiiq, LLC; Afognak Commercial Group, LLC; Alutiiq Professional Consulting, LLC; and each of their respective domestic and foreign, direct and indirect subsidiaries, partnerships, joint ventures and affiliates including but not limited to Liquor Stores USA North Inc. dba Brown Jug and dba Gold Rush Liquor (collectively referred to as “Afognak” or “Company”) is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws (collectively, “Protected Status”).

Pay Transparency and Company Benefits

The pay range information provided is a general guideline. The pay rate offered will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications, as well as geographic locations, market data, and other business considerations, as permitted by law. Our full range of benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability protection, life insurance, prescription coverage, voluntary benefits, paid leave, and 401(k) retirement. Benefits are based on the role for which an employee is hired.

Privacy

Afognak Native Corporation and its subsidiaries Alutiiq, LLC, Afognak Commercial Group, LLC, and Alutiiq Professional Consulting, LLC, and their various subsidiaries, including Liquor Stores USA North Inc. DBA Brown Jug and Liquor Stores USA North Inc. DBA Gold Rush Liquor (collectively referred to as “Afognak” or “Company”), respect your privacy and treat the information you provide us, including your Personal Information (“PI”) and Sensitive Personal Information (“SPI”), with care. Visit the Company's privacy website for more information.