Spirits Department Sales Lead

Liquor Stores USA•Wasilla, AK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Brown Jug is a premium retailer of wine, beer, and spirits, offering a friendly, energetic work environment focused on customer service, product knowledge, and active selling. As the Spirits Department Sales Lead, you will be the store's primary spirits expert, responsible for engaging customers, driving sales, supporting the spirits department, training team members on key products, and assisting customers in selecting the appropriate bottle for any occasion. This role requires a passion for spirits, curiosity about new products, comfort in making recommendations, and the ability to explain products in a helpful and approachable manner. The position emphasizes active selling, including recommending similar items, upselling, introducing Brown Jug exclusive and private label products, and suggesting complementary items. You will collaborate with the Store Manager and Category Management team to uphold department standards, achieve financial goals, execute product launches and promotions, and foster a strong sales culture within the spirits department. This position supports Store #267 at 2451 E Sun Mountain Avenue.

Requirements

Strong customer service skills
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel
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
High school diploma or equivalent
Current TAP card, or ability to obtain and maintain required alcohol service certification

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.