[HCMC] - Senior Sommelier/Lead Sommelier - Wine Retail

Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Reporting Line: Shop Manager / Assistant Manager / Shop Supervisor

1. ROLE SUMMARY

Senior Sommelier/Lead Sommelier – Wine Retail is responsible for driving wine sales, providing expert product recommendations, and delivering an exceptional customer experience through in-depth wine knowledge and engaging storytelling.

This role focuses on building strong customer relationships, developing sales opportunities, and sharing wine knowledge with customers and team members. The ideal candidate combines a strong understanding of wine with commercial awareness, excellent communication skills, and a genuine passion for helping customers discover and appreciate fine wines.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Wine Sales & Customer Experience

• Drive individual sales performance and contribute to the achievement of overall shop sales targets.
• Provide tailored wine recommendations based on customer preferences, occasions, food pairings, and budgets.
• Deliver personalized service to private customers, VIP clients, and wine enthusiasts.
• Identify opportunities to increase sales through product recommendations, complementary products, and relevant promotions.

Wine Knowledge & Storytelling

• Demonstrate strong knowledge of wine regions, grape varieties, producers, winemaking techniques, and food pairings.
• Communicate wine knowledge through engaging storytelling, helping customers understand the character, origin, and value of each wine.
• Stay informed about product portfolios, new arrivals, wine trends, and industry developments.
• Support wine tastings and customer engagement activities by presenting wines confidently and professionally.

Customer Relationship Development

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with existing customers while actively developing new customer connections.
• Follow up with customers, recommend suitable wines, and introduce new products and promotions.
• Support customer database growth, client reactivation, and repeat purchases in line with company objectives.
• Contribute to the development of a loyal customer base and long-term sales opportunities.

Team Support & Knowledge Sharing

• Share wine knowledge, product information, and effective sales approaches with other shop team members.
• Support the onboarding and on-the-job training of new team members when required.
• Lead by example in customer service, product presentation, and professional conduct.
• Collaborate with the shop team to maintain consistent service standards and achieve sales objectives.

Shop Operations & Wine Events

• Support daily shop operations, inventory checks, stock replenishment, and proper wine storage.
• Maintain high standards of product presentation and shop appearance.
• Assist in organizing and hosting wine tastings, VIP experiences, and other customer engagement activities.
• Coordinate with relevant teams on promotions and sales initiatives.

• Competitive salary based on candidate’s competencies and experience

• 13th salary and attractive sales commission

• Annual health check, annual leave, holidays and compulsory insurances are according to Vietnam Labor code, Insurance laws and relevant regulations and laws

• Employee’s health and well-being: respecting and valuing

• Professional and global working environment

• Opportunities for accessing high-end wine products and experiences, on technical skills and soft skills training

• Equal opportunities on career promotion

• Other bonuses and welfare are based on employee performance and company regulation

• Strong knowledge of wine, including wine regions, grape varieties, producers, and food pairings.
• Proven sales ability with a customer-focused and target-oriented mindset.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to translate wine knowledge into engaging recommendations that support sales.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse customers.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Good English communication skills are an advantage.
• Flexibility to work according to the retail shop roster, including weekends and public holidays.

EXPERIENCE

• At least 3–5 years of relevant experience in wine sales, wine retail, premium retail, hospitality, or F&B.
• Experience in fine wine retail, customer relationship management, or hosting wine tastings is preferred.
• Sommelier qualification or recognized wine certification is an advantage but not mandatory for candidates who can demonstrate strong wine knowledge and relevant experience.