WINE STEWARD

The Kroger Co.; Milan (GA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kroger Co. is seeking a Wine Department Associate to deliver exceptional service and foster an outstanding customer experience. You will assist in product recommendations, wine tastings, and maintaining a safe, welcoming store environment. Strong communication and math skills are required, with 21+ age and retail experience preferred.

Join a team that values respect, integrity, and customer-first service while supporting department goals and promotions across the wine section.

Qualifications

• Two items of functional wine knowledge are preferred: imported/domestic varieties and flavor profiles.
• Experience in wine/beer sales and basic product recommendations.
• Retail experience helps in customer interactions at the department level.

Responsibilities

• Answer questions about products and respond to customer needs.
• Assist with wine and beer recommendations and pairings.
• Maintain wine knowledge and stay current on promotions.
• Ensure clean, welcoming environment and safe store practices.
• Support department manager to reach sales goals.
• Adhere to safety procedures and quality standards.
• Assist with tastings and program events.
• Monitor temperatures in cases and coolers.

Skills

Second language

Wine knowledge

Retail experience

Customer service

Effective communication

Basic math

Calm under pressure

Age 21+

Wine tasting

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Create an outstanding customer experience through exceptional service. Establish and maintain a safe and clean environment that encourages our customers to return. Assist the department manager in reaching sales and profit goals established for the department, and monitor all established quality assurance standards. Embrace the Customer 1st strategy and encourage associates to deliver excellent customer service. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety of others.

• 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

• 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
• Second language (speaking, reading and/or writing)
• 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