Wine merchant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• working towards this role
• applying directly
• a graduate training scheme
• a professional course from a private training provider

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Work

You could start in the wine trade as a sales assistant for an off-licence chain, a wine wholesalers or a supermarket.

Experience and qualifications gained through the hospitality sector may be useful in this role.

Business, sales and marketing experience may also be useful.

DirectApplication

You can apply directly to get into this job. You'll usually need retail experience and extensive product knowledge to be an independent wine merchant.

OtherRoutes

You could start work with a large wine retailer as a graduate management trainee, if you have a degree. Employers will accept most subjects.

You could also take training through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust to build up your knowledge of the industry.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to use your initiative
• excellent verbal communication skills
• persuading and negotiating skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• active listening skills
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to learn through your work
• the ability to read English
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• business management skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Wine merchants find new wines and buy and market them.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• look for potential new customers, cold call businesses like hotels and restaurants to create sales leads
• order and display stock
• organise promotions, including wine tastings
• visit clients to offer advice on wines
• in retail or wholesale venues, serve customers and take payment for goods
• manage sales targets
• write order quotes and keep accounts and records
• try new wines and select new products to sell
• follow and enforce the legal requirements for the sale of alcohol
• recruit, train and organise staff

Location : You could work at a store or at a client's business.

Salary:

Starter : £16,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays

Career Path:

With experience you could become an independent wine merchant. You'll need funds and a well-researched business plan.

You could also progress to become a Master of Wine (MW). This is the British wine trader’s highest qualification.