10177-FFX Fairfax
A Sommelier is a wine expert who will work in high-volume Whole Foods Market stores. Sommelier job duties center on helping customers, increasing revenue, educating customers and team members, conducting in store wine tastings, stocking and maintaining retail excellence. A successful Sommelier has an in-depth knowledge of wines, as well as the ability to quickly recall and share complex information about different types of wines, wine pairings and tasting notes. Their main responsibility is to promote wine sales through customer and staff education.
Responsibilities
- Drive wine sales by being a constant presence in the wine department, engaging with customers on the sales floor during peak customer traffic.
- Engages in positive and pro-active selling.
- Provides excellent customer service, addresses the needs of customers in a timely and effective manner and models suggestive selling techniques, answers phones and pages promptly and courteously.
- Ensures a fresh and appealing displays by keeping shelves clean and well-stocked.
- Available during peak hours to maximize customer visibility. Evening and weekend availability is required.
- Executes sampling program, keeping sample areas full, clean and appealing.
- Works with Order Writer to monitor spoilage and supply waste to minimize impact on department expenses.
- Assists Order Writer to maintain back stock according to store process standards.
- Assist Order Writer with sign/tag maintenance and general department conditions
- Accesses information about market conditions and communicates to customers.
- Ensures temperature, sanitation and sweep logs are completed.
- Arrives to workstation on time, appropriately groomed, dressed and ready to work; works all scheduled shifts and attends required trainings and meetings.
- Maximizes sales potential through effective and proper procedures for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and merchandising product.
- Follows and complies, or ensures compliance, with established procedures, including Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
- Maintains, or ensures maintenance of, a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment; maintains equipment in accordance with WFM cleanliness and safety standards.
- Ensures accuracy of signs and pricing.
- Immediately reports safety hazards and violations.
- Performs other duties as assigned by store, regional, or national leadership. Performs other duties as assigned by store, regional, or global leadership
- Understanding monthly programs, educating team members on new and promo wines, assisting Order Writer with strategies to maximize program performance
- Conducting wine tastings and demos
- Educating team members and customers
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Ability to learn basic knowledge of all products carried in department.
- Ability to visually examine products for quality and freshness.
- Ability to sell proactively.
- Working understanding of Specialty department and team and WFM quality goals.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
- Ability to meet customer service expectations and standards in all interactions with customers, vendors, and Team Members.
- Ability to follow directions and procedures, effective time management and organization skills.
- Passion for natural foods and the mission of Whole Foods Market.
- Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency.
- Understanding of and compliance with WFM quality goals
Desired Work Experiences
- 1-2 years of same or similar wine, beer and spirits experience.
Physical Requirements / Working Conditions
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
- In an 8-hour workday: standing/walking 7-8 hours.
- Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
- Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
- Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
- Exposure to temperatures:<32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Ability to use tools and equipment, including box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
- Where applicable, TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures by Servers of Alcohol) course completion required and must be age 18 years of age or older to serve alcohol.
The wage range for this position is $20.00-$30.20 Hourly, commensurate with experience. Whole Foods Market offers "Whole Benefits". Whole Benefits offers a wide range of benefits for Full and Part-Time Team Members, including eligibility for a store discount, paid time off, financial wellness, health & wellness support programs, and access to other Team Member perks. Eligibility for Whole Benefits is determined under the terms of the applicable Whole Benefits plan at a person?s date of hire and may vary based on work location, length of service, and job type (such as regular or seasonal).
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At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.
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