Wine & Spirits Operations Manager (With Buying Track)

Hamptons Palm Beach Fine Wine & Spirits

Palm Beach, FL · On-site · Full-time

About the job

Calling all Sommeliers, Wine Directors, and seasoned Beverage Professionals: Are you ready to swap late nights and grueling restaurant service for a premium daytime schedule, true operational ownership, and a world-class retail portfolio?

Hamptons Palm Beach Fine Wine & Spirits is looking for a pragmatic, detail-oriented professional to run day-to-day operations, lead our spirits purchasing program, and manage the premium client experience for our boutique in Palm Beach.

The Growth & Buying Track: While you will immediately take full ownership of our premium spirits procurement, you will also work hand-in-hand with our Lead Wine Buyer. This role offers direct mentorship to learn our specific fine wine allocation systems, with the intentional path to transition into joint wine buying responsibilities as you master our portfolio and clientele.

The Lifestyle Perks:

• Schedule: Stable, daytime hours Sunday – Thursday.
• Weekends: Friday & Saturday OFF.
• Compensation: Open to negotiation, commensurate with credentials and experience.
• Growth: Direct mentorship from ownership and our Lead Buyer, plus 100% company-sponsored continuing education (WSET Level 2 or 3/Diploma or spirits credentials).
• The Portfolio: Regular exposure to benchmark wine producers (Burgundy, Bordeaux, Barolo) and a highly curated, additive-free spirits collection.

The Role This role bridges the gap between beverage expertise and flawless operational execution. While a sophisticated palate is essential, 80% of success here requires a highly organized, analytical mind. You will take ownership of our backend operations—managing delivery logistics, auditing inventory, navigating distributor relations, and executing our spirits buying—while acting as a trusted advisor to our high-net-worth clientele on the floor.

If you have a strong foundational understanding of the beverage market, a background in luxury hospitality, and the professional maturity to run a tight ship alongside a small, elite team, you will thrive here.

Key Responsibilities

Buying Operations & Inventory Management

• Spirits Procurement: Take immediate ownership of the spirits portfolio—sourcing, tasting, and managing inventory for high-end boutique spirits, allocation-heavy whiskies, and non-additive tequilas.
• Wine Buying Mentorship: Partner closely with our Lead Wine Buyer to learn allocation management, vintage transitions, and the curation strategy for our rare wine portfolio.
• Data & Logistics: Own the inventory lifecycle. Manage purchase orders, audit invoices, and handle daily/weekly reconciliation using QuickBooks and our POS system.
• Distributor Relations: Act as a primary point of contact for distributors regarding delivery schedules, pricing updates, and allocations.

Client Relations & Floor Management

• Curated Service: Provide sophisticated, low-pressure, high-touch consultation to a discerning clientele, advising on fine spirits, cellar building, and premium gifting.
• Cellar & Stock Mastery: Maintain a flawless, temperature-controlled storage and display system, ensuring our high-velocity and rare items are perfectly cataloged.
• Independent Problem Solving: Confidently manage bespoke client requests, complex logistics (including temperature-sensitive freight), and daily operational needs autonomously.

What You Bring to the Table

• Beverage Expertise: Hospitality or retail background (Sommelier, Beverage Director, Bartender, or Buyer) with a strong foundation in both spirits and fine wine. Credentials (CMS, WSET, or CSS) are highly valued but passion and palate matter most.
• Operational Ownership: 2 years of experience blending premium hospitality/retail with administrative ownership (inventory management, basic bookkeeping, or cellar tracking).
• A "Numbers Brain": You don't need an accounting degree, but you must genuinely care about margin accuracy and notice when an invoice is off by a dollar.
• Physical Capability: Ability to stand for extended periods and comfortably lift/move cases (approx. 40 lbs) regularly to maintain floor standards.