Wine Development Manager
Small Beer Limited – Lincoln
Salary: Competitive Salary + Company Benefits
Job Type: Full-Time (40 Hours per Week)
Location: Lincolnshire and The East Midlands
Join One of The East of England's Leading Independent Drinks Wholesalers
Small Beer Limited has been supplying pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels, and hospitality venues for over 40 years. As we continue to develop our wine category, we are seeking an enthusiastic and commercially minded Wine Development Manager to join our team.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for wine, hospitality and customer relationships to take a leading role in developing our wine business across the region.
Working closely with our Group Purchasing Manager and the Sales Team, you will be responsible for growing existing wine listings, securing new listings, delivering tastings and events, and helping our customers maximise the success of their wine offer.
This is a predominantly customer-facing role, with approximately 75% of your time spent in trade and 25% focused on administration and planning.
The Role
As Wine Development Manager, you will become the wine specialist within Small Beer, supporting both customers and colleagues with product knowledge, wine development and category growth.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing and growing wine sales across our existing customer base
- Identifying and securing new wine listings within pubs, restaurants, bars and hospitality venues
- Delivering customer wine tastings and supplier-led events
- Organising and hosting wine pairing evenings
- Supporting customers with wine list creation and development
- Providing wine expertise and support to the wider sales team
- Working closely with the Group Purchasing Manager on category development and supplier initiatives
- Attending Society of Vintners meetings and representing Small Beer within the wine industry
- Supporting promotional activity, product launches and seasonal campaigns
- Maintaining accurate records of customer activity and development opportunities
About You
We're looking for someone who combines strong wine knowledge with excellent relationship-building skills.
You will ideally have:
- Experience within wine sales, hospitality, drinks wholesale or the on-trade sector
- A genuine passion for wine and helping customers develop successful wine offerings
- Strong presentation skills and confidence conducting tastings and events
- Excellent communication and relationship management skills
- A commercial mindset with the ability to identify growth opportunities
- Good organisational and administrative skills
- The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team
- Wine qualifications starting with a minimum requirment of WSET Level 2
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Bonus based on KPIs and OTE
- Company pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Healthcare
- Staff discount
- Opportunities for training and professional development
- A supportive and collaborative working environment
- The opportunity to shape and grow a key category within a successful independent business
Why Small Beer?
At Small Beer, relationships matter. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional service, expert knowledge and a personal approach to both our customers and suppliers. This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the future growth of our wine category while working within a respected, highly awarded and ambitious independent wholesaler.
Apply today and help us continue building one of the strongest wine offers in the region.
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: On the road / Customer Sites / Lincoln Office
Reference ID: Wine Development Manager – Small Beer Limited
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company car
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
Work Location: In person
