Head of Wine

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Head of Wine to lead and elevate our wine programme at Milk Beach, Soho and Queen’s Park. We want Milk Beach to be the leading destination in London to explore and experience wines from all of Australia’s wine regions, alongside wines from the rest of the world. This key leadership role will oversee the sourcing, selection, and management of our wine portfolio  at both locations, foster deep supplier and producer relationships, and curate unique and memorable wine experiences for our guests.

Position: Head of Wine - Australian Wine Specialist

Location: Soho and Queen’s Park, London

Salary: £40,000 per annum (+ bonus eligibility) 

Availability: Full-time

About Us: At Milk Beach, we are passionate about delivering a uniquely Australian experience to our guests - with highly professional and knowledgeable service that is also engaging, unpretentious and fun. We embrace the excitement of wine and the joy it brings to people's lives. Our goal is to showcase the very best of Australian wine and to become the go-to destination for Australia’s top producers. This selection will be alongside a strong representation of other old world and new world jurisdictions.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain an exceptional and comprehensive international wine list at both Milk Beach locations, with a focus on Australian wines that highlight the best qualities of each region.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with winemakers, suppliers, and distributors, both locally and globally, to secure exclusive and high-quality offerings. Stay up-to-date on global wine trends and new wine releases to ensure our collection remains fresh, innovative, and appealing. 

• Host wine tastings events, masterclasses, and wine supplier partnered events that educate and engage our guests, leaving them eager to explore the wonderful world of Australian wine.

• Manage the wine part of the Milk Beach business as your own business with financial and operational responsibility for sales targets, gross profit targets, wine inventory and stock, ensuring proper storage, rotation, and ordering for optimal COGS management.

• Train and mentor our front of house team, providing guidance on product knowledge, wine and food pairings, and wine recommendations for guests. 

• Make Milk Beach the go-to destination for Australian wine 

Requirements:

• A genuine passion for Australian wine and a deep understanding of its unique regional characteristics, grape varieties, and production methods.

• Proven experience in the wine industry (5+ years), as a Head of Wine, wine manager, vintner and/or sommelier

• Exceptional communication skills with an ability to convey complex wine information in an approachable and engaging manner.

• A natural ability to build rapport with both guests and staff, providing exceptional customer service and engaging trainings.

• Strong business acumen, with the ability to manage budgets, sales, forecasts and inventory

• Desire to mentor and train other team members and to lift others in their own wine journeys

• Wine certifications - WSET Level 3 or Diploma certification, or equivalent qualifications, are highly desirable.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits

• Closed major Holidays (Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day)

• Great chances to learn from a highly experienced leadership team

• Career development and educational support

• Personalised recognition schemes

• Friendly and motivating team environment with an inclusive and diverse workforce

• Flexibility and work/life balance

• Meals, softs, coffees, and teas while on shift

• Employee discounts, because wine is meant for sharing (or keeping it for yourself!).

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Australian wine and cuisine? If so, we look forward to hearing from you. To apply, please send your CV, along with a brief introduction explaining why you are a great fit for this exciting role to, [email protected] (Head of People). Join us on this adventure and let's raise a glass together!