Spirits Manager - NL

New Leaf•Santa Cruz, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Spirits Manager oversees the daily operations, management, and profitability of the Liquor department. The role covers ordering, inventory control, merchandising, staff supervision, and customer service, ensuring products meet quality standards and the department contributes to an exceptional customer experience and a positive, collaborative team environment. The manager maintains product mix and inventory levels to meet customer demand and sales and margin goals; supervises and trains staff; manages vendor relationships, pricing, and signage; and coordinates with the Promotions department on tastings, promotions, and events. The position also ensures compliance with alcohol regulations, store policies, and quality and merchandising standards; develops strategies to maximize sales and reduce shrinkage; assists with store-wide inventory counts and audit records; and maintains department cleanliness, organization, and product rotation. This customer-service-driven role requires retail, grocery, or liquor sales experience and strong knowledge of spirits, wines, and beers. Work takes place in a grocery store environment with potentially wet or slippery surfaces, moderate noise, temperature extremes in coolers and freezers, and possible exposure to allergens and chemicals. The position has heavy physical demands, including frequently standing, walking, and handling items, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Requirements

Previous experience in retail, grocery, or liquor sales is required.
Strong knowledge of spirits, wines, and beers, including product selection, storage, and regulations.
Basic ability to read and interpret documents.
Basic math and computation skills.
Ability to read, understand, and follow verbal and written instructions and exercise good judgment.
Ability to speak, read, and understand English for customer service.
Ability to meet the position’s heavy physical demands, including lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling items up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Management or supervisory experience is preferred.
Knowledge of English is preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily Spirits department operations, including ordering, inventory control, and merchandising.
Ensure products are stocked, rotated, and faced according to company standards.
Manage product mix and inventory levels to meet customer demand and achieve sales and margin goals.
Supervise and train department staff, plan schedules, assign tasks, and oversee productivity.
Ensure compliance with department standards, quality control, and customer service practices.
Build customer relationships and provide product recommendations based on customer preferences and needs.
Maintain vendor relationships to support competitive pricing, product quality, and timely deliveries.
Coordinate with the Promotions department to plan and execute in-store tastings, promotions, and events.
Manage department pricing and signage for accuracy and compliance with company policies and merchandising standards.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal liquor regulations and store alcohol-sale policies.
Develop and execute strategies to maximize sales and reduce shrinkage.
Assist with store-wide inventory counts and maintain accurate audit records.
Collaborate with department management to maintain staffing, service levels, and department appearance.
Maintain cleanliness, organization, and rotation of department products and supplies.
Engage customers in a friendly, knowledgeable manner, share product information, and help locate products.
Adapt to shifting priorities and department needs while demonstrating time management and a flexible work style.
Work cooperatively with team members, provide and receive feedback constructively, and support a positive work environment.
Conserve company resources and follow company values, sustainability initiatives, work and safety policies, regulations, and department or location guidelines.
Communicate cleanliness, maintenance, or other issues to management.
Perform other tasks and duties assigned by store or department management.