Spirits Manager

Who is New Leaf Community Markets?
New Leaf Community Markets opened its doors as a small cooperative in 1985 on the Westside of Santa Cruz. We learned early on, that the well-being of our guests, staff, and community starts with sustainable, locally-produced food. Farm-to-table all the way! We’ve partnered with open-minded producers who care as deeply about our people, the planet, and social justice as we do, from day one.

Our mission is to be a purveyor of good – from offering the best local and natural foods to taking care of our staff, community, and environment. We love what we do, and we know that it’s our passionate staff who make it all possible. We’re committed to taking care of our people by leading the way with progressive employment practices.

Every day, we work to create an atmosphere of openness, caring, trust, and fairness – a place where staff can thrive, and differences are celebrated. As a member of the New Leaf Community Markets team, you can count on an inclusive, friendly environment and a welcoming group of inspired individuals who love people, great food, and being a part of a community gathering place.

Ingredients You’ll Bring to the Table:
You love food and have the ability to create an experience that is beyond the everyday. You have a positive attitude and work well in a team environment. You can connect with people and reach a level of hospitality that exceeds guests’ expectations. You are warm, outgoing, authentically amazing, and want to be inspired, challenged, and proud of where you work.

You embody the spirit of New Leaf Community Market's core values: Community, Integrity, Sustainability, Quality, and Respect; and you are driven by our mission to nourish and sustain our community by using business as a force for change.

What’s on Your Plate:
Job Title: Spirits Manager
Department: Liquor
Reports To: Store Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Summary
The Spirits Manager oversees the daily operations, management, and profitability of the Liquor department. This includes ordering, merchandising, staff supervision, and customer service. The Spirits Manager ensures that all products meet quality standards and that the department provides exceptional customer service while contributing to a positive and collaborative team environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Requirements:

• Engages with customers in a friendly, knowledgeable manner, shares product information, and assists in locating products throughout the store. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
• Demonstrates time management skills and models a flexible work style. Adapts to shifting priorities and department needs.
• Upholds company values and works cooperatively with fellow team members to maintain a positive work environment.
• Provide and receive feedback constructively, demonstrating the company's Speak Up culture.
• Conserve company resources by aligning with the company's mission, vision, values, and sustainability initiatives.
• Adheres to work and safety policies, including local, state, and federal regulations. Contributes to store cleanliness and maintenance and communicates issues to management.
• Follows all company rules and policies and understands specific department or location guidelines.

Position Responsibilities:

• Oversees the daily operations of the Spirits department, including ordering, inventory control, and merchandising. Ensures all products are stocked, rotated, and faced according to company standards.
• Manages and maintains the department's product mix and inventory levels to meet customer demand while achieving sales and margin goals.
• Supervises and trains department staff, including planning work schedules, assigning tasks, and overseeing productivity. Ensures compliance with department standards, quality control, and customer service practices.
• Develops and maintains strong customer relationships, providing recommendations and suggestions based on customer preferences and needs.
• Builds and maintains vendor relationships to ensure competitive pricing, product quality, and timely deliveries.
• Coordinates with the Promotions department to plan and execute in-store tastings, promotions, and events.
• Manages the department's pricing and signage, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies and merchandising standards.
• Ensures department compliance with all local, state, and federal liquor regulations and store policies regarding the sale of alcohol.
• Develops and executes strategies to maximize sales and reduce shrinkage.
• Assists with store-wide inventory counts and maintains accurate records for auditing purposes.
• Collaborates with department management to maintain staffing, service levels, and department appearance.
• Maintains the cleanliness, organization, and rotation of all department products and supplies.
• Performs other tasks and duties as assigned by store or department management.

This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Still, it constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our company. New Leaf Community Markets reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements as necessary to meet changing industry or business needs.
Customer Service Skills
Engages the customer in a friendly, knowledgeable manner, shares product information, and assists in locating products. Seeks opportunities to exceed customer expectations and enhance the customer experience.
Education and/or Experience
Previous experience in retail, grocery, or liquor sales is required—strong knowledge of spirits, wines, and beers, including product selection, storage, and regulations. Management or supervisory experience is preferred.
Language Skills
Essential ability to read and interpret documents required.
Mathematical Skills
Basic math and computation skills are required.
Reasoning Ability
Reading, understanding, and following through on verbal and written instructions. Skills to exercise sound judgment at all times.
Knowledge of English (Preferred)
This is a customer service-driven position. Should have the ability to speak, read, and understand English.
Physical Demands
This position works at a Heavy level. Frequently required to stand, walk, and use hands and wrists to handle, grasp, and feel objects. Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling items up to 50 pounds is required. May occasionally need to bend, stoop, kneel, or reach at/above/below shoulder level.
Work Environment
Work occurs in a grocery store environment, including wet and slippery surfaces, moderate noise levels, and temperature extremes in controlled environments such as the cooler and freezer. There may be exposure to specific allergens and chemicals. By the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable state or local laws, we will make reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Why You’ll Love Working at New Leaf Community Markets

• Amazing Benefits Package – Including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401k at 25 hours a week.
• Great earning potential with the opportunity for growth within our family of brands
• Paid Parental Leave available
• Lifestyle Scheduling
• Public Transport Benefits
• Paid Community Service Hours
• 30% discount at all New Leaf Community Markets, Bristol Farms, and Lazy Acres Natural Market locations