Wine, Beer, and Spirits Director

Job Description

About Gus’s Community Market

We believe that markets are a gathering place for the community, a space to both foster and nurture relationships that extend for generations.  For over 40 years, our family has served San Francisco with the utmost commitment to offer quality goods, champion local purveyors, advocate for environmental stewardship, and create a workplace for our staff to grow and prosper.  We are ever-evolving yet do not lose sight of our core values created by our father and grandfather, and remain mindful of the character of a neighborhood market.  We strive to provide a diverse selection of goods satisfying every palate and price point.  We take pride in personally knowing many of our vendors having worked with them for decades. We respect our employees and offer them sustainable livelihoods. We support our community by participating in fundraising efforts such as the Scrip school program.  We cultivate, support, and strive for integrity in everything we do – from picking the most pristine peach from the early morning markets to handing a lollipop to a kid waiting for mom.

We offer a 20% discount on purchases throughout the store, a medical and dental plan after 30 days, 401K retirement plan after one year of employment and paid vacation begins to accrue after one year of employment.

The Position

Reporting to the General Manager, the Wine, Beer, and Spirits Director oversees purchasing and department operations across all Gus’s Community Market locations.

This role is responsible for product selection, vendor relationships, inventory management, merchandising, financial performance, staffing, and customer satisfaction. The Wine, Beer, and Spirits Director works closely with store leadership, department teams, and vendors to maintain consistent quality and operational standards while tailoring each location’s assortment to its customers.

Responsibilities

Customer Service and Product Expertise

• Provide excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable customer service, both in person and over the phone.
• Help customers select wine, beer, and spirits based on their preferences, needs, and budgets.
• Share product knowledge, including varietals, regions, styles, production methods, and serving recommendations.
• Stay informed about current and classic wine, beer, and spirits trends to guide product selection and staff education.
• Ensure knowledgeable department staff are available during peak business hours to answer questions, make recommendations, and support sales.

Purchasing, Vendor Relationships, and Financial Performance

• Lead wine, beer, and spirits purchasing and product curation across all locations.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and distributors, negotiating pricing, terms, and delivery arrangements.
• Oversee ordering, receiving, costing, and inventory levels to meet customer demand and support efficient operations.
• Establish, implement, and review ordering and stocking procedures.
• Maintain consistent product quality across locations while considering each store’s clientele and sales patterns.
• Work with the pricing department to maintain accurate pricing, resolve vendor discrepancies, and meet company margin goals.
• Oversee purchasing records and department use of point-of-sale systems.
• Review profit and loss statements and sales data to identify opportunities to improve department performance.

Merchandising and Department Operations

• Develop and implement merchandising plans across locations to create attractive displays and increase sales.
• Keep shelves and displays well stocked, organized, accurately labeled, and visually appealing.
• Create and maintain product signage and point-of-sale materials for use across stores.
• Plan seasonal and holiday assortments, promotions, and displays.
• Oversee proper product storage, stocking, rotation, and handling.
• Inspect shelves, displays, and storage areas for damaged or spoiled products and maintain timely, accurate spoilage and inventory loss records.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized retail, storage, and work areas.
• Ensure employees operate equipment safely and follow proper lifting and product-handling procedures.

Team Leadership and Training

• Manage department staffing and schedules in coordination with store leadership, balancing service needs and labor goals.
• Participate in hiring and oversee onboarding, training, coaching, and performance evaluation.
• Train managers, buyers, and clerks on product knowledge, customer engagement, merchandising, safety, and department operations.
• Communicate clear expectations and provide guidance on company systems, policies, and procedures.
• Build a positive team environment that develops employees’ strengths and supports accountability.
• Maintain effective communication among wine, beer, and spirits teams and store leadership across all locations.

Collaboration and Sales Development

• Work closely with store leadership to improve customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and department efficiency.
• Collaborate with upper management to develop and implement marketing initiatives and sales programs.
• Partner with other departments across locations to develop and promote special events that encourage customer engagement and increase store traffic.

Qualifications

• Eight to ten years of management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of wine, craft beer, and spirits, including current trends, classic styles, regions, and production methods.
• Experience managing purchasing, inventory, merchandising, costing, and department financial performance.
• Strong leadership skills, including experience hiring, training, coaching, and evaluating employees.
• Ability to prioritize and follow through on responsibilities across multiple locations.
• Ability to understand company-wide department goals while responding to each location’s customer needs.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and excellent customer service.
• A personable approach and enthusiasm for engaging with a diverse customer base.
• Commitment to quality goods, local purveyors, and environmental stewardship.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of company, vendor, customer, and employee information.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The position involves the following activities and conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• In an 8-hour workday: standing/walking 6-8 hours.
• Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling.
• Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching.
• Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40
• degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in a wet and cold environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

This job posting describes the general requirements of this job. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.