WINE STEWARD

The Kroger Co.•Milan, MI

About The Position

The Wine Steward creates an outstanding customer experience through exceptional service and helps maintain a safe, clean environment that encourages customers to return. The role assists the department manager in achieving sales and profit goals and monitors established quality assurance standards. The Wine Steward embraces the Customer 1st strategy, encourages excellent customer service, and demonstrates the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. The position provides wine recommendations, product information, and pairing suggestions; informs customers about specials; and supports wine tastings and other wine-focused programs in collaboration with the store chef. It also involves maintaining product knowledge, staying current on advertisements, checking cooler temperatures and logs, and following safety and equipment-maintenance procedures. The essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Experience working with wine and beer.
Retail experience.
Knowledge of imported and domestic wine varieties, flavor profiles, and how wines are made.
Knowledge of industry trends in specialty wines and beers as they relate to consumers.
Ability to handle stressful situations.
Effective communication skills.
Knowledge of basic math.
Pass the wine test once employed.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak, read, and/or write in a second language.

Responsibilities

Promote trust and respect among associates.
Create a welcoming environment and answer customer questions about products sold in the department and throughout the store.
Maintain knowledge of department products and respond to questions or make suggestions.
Offer product samples in accordance with company guidelines and applicable laws.
Inform customers of wine specials.
Provide customers with requested products.
Recommend wine items to help customers find the products they want and need.
Help customers pair wine with items such as meat, cheese, and desserts.
Collaborate with the store chef on wine tastings and other programs featuring wines.
Stay current with present, future, seasonal, and special advertisements.
Maintain proper temperatures in cases and coolers and keep temperature logs.
Follow safety procedures, identify unsafe conditions, and notify store management.
Inspect equipment for preventive maintenance and notify the appropriate department or store manager when repairs are needed.
Notify management of customer or employee accidents.
Report safety risks, issues, and illegal activity, including robbery, theft, or fraud.
Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.