Wine Experience Specialist — Tastings & Pairings

Kroger; Bloomfield Hills (MI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Kroger in Bloomfield Hills, MI is hiring a Wine Specialist to deliver outstanding customer service and expertise in wine and beer. You will assist customers, answer questions, and help them pair items, while supporting the department manager to meet sales goals and uphold quality standards. Compliance with safety, age verification, and store policies is required.

Role emphasizes knowledge of products, strong communication, and teamwork in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications

• Second language (speaking, reading and/or writing)
• Knowledge of imported and domestic varieties, the flavor profiles and how they are made
• Knowledge of industry trends in specialty wines and beers as they relate to the consumer
• Experience working with wine and beer
• Retail experience
• High school education or equivalent
• Must be 21 years of age
• Ability to handle stressful situations
• Effective communication skills
• Knowledge of basic math
• Pass wine test once employed

Responsibilities

• Promote trust and respect among associates
• Create an environment that enables customers to feel welcome, important and appreciated by answering questions regarding products sold within the department and throughout the store
• Gain and maintain knowledge of products sold within the department and be able to respond to questions and make suggestions about products
• Offer product samples, consistent with company guidelines and applicable laws, to help customers discover new items or products inquire about
• Inform customers of wine specials
• Provide customers with products that they have requested
• Recommend wine items to customers to ensure they get the products they want and need
• Assist customers with pairing of wine and other items such as meat, cheeses, desserts
• Collaborate with store chef for wine tastings and other programs featuring wines
• Stay current with present, future, seasonal and special ads
• Ensure proper temperatures in cases and coolers are maintained and temperature logs are maintained
• Reinforce safety programs by complying with safety procedures and identify unsafe conditions and notify store management
• Practice preventive maintenance by properly inspecting equipment and notify appropriate department or store manager of any items in need of repair
• Notify management of customer or employee accidents
• Report all safety risk, or issues, and illegal activity, including: robbery, theft or fraud
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation

Skills

Wine knowledge

Wine & beer experience

Retail experience

Communication skills

Stress handling

Basic math

Education

High school education or equivalent

Job description

Kroger in Bloomfield Hills, MI is hiring a Wine Specialist to deliver outstanding customer service and expertise in wine and beer. You will assist customers, answer questions, and help them pair items, while supporting the department manager to meet sales goals and uphold quality standards. Compliance with safety, age verification, and store policies is required.

Role emphasizes knowledge of products, strong communication, and teamwork in a fast-paced retail environment.