About Vintage Grape

Vintage Grape is a boutique wine and spirits shop on Manhattan's Upper East Side, known for curating some of the most sought-after bottles in the New York market. We're a tight-knit team with deep ties to our neighborhood and a diverse, loyal clientele.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced wine and spirits professional to join us as a Sales Associate with strong operational and business development capabilities. This role blends day-to-day store operations, hands-on customer service, and sales — with real influence over how the store runs and grows. For the right candidate, title and responsibilities are flexible — we want to find someone who can grow with us.

What You'll Do

Oversee daily store operations, including inventory management, ordering, receiving, and stock counts
Be a primary point of contact between ownership and our customers, handling communications with professionalism and care
Guide customers through selections and food pairings — if a customer asks for something specific, help them find it or introduce them to something even better suited to their taste
Review other areas of the business (merchandising, workflows, customer touchpoints, etc.) and identify opportunities for improvement
Schedule and run in-store tastings and rep appointments
Advise ownership on SKU selections, vendor relationships, and quality control
Track inventory movements to identify neighborhood demand trends
Identify and pursue business development opportunities — new customer segments, partnerships, events, or vendor relationships that grow the store
Train staff on wine knowledge, sales techniques, and operational procedures
Follow all standard opening/closing and cash-handling procedures

What We're Looking For

Minimum 1 year of professional wine and spirits experience (retail preferred)
Prior experience in retail operations or store management strongly preferred
WSET or CMS certification a plus
Strong communication skills and comfort acting as a liaison between ownership, staff, and customers
A proactive, customer-first attitude with a sharp eye for identifying gaps or opportunities
Someone who thrives in a boutique, community-oriented environment

The Details

Location: Upper East Side, Manhattan (in-person only)
Type: Full-time or Part-time
Schedule: 8-hour shifts, weekend availability required
Benefits: Employee discount, flexible scheduling

Application Question(s):

Wine and Spirit Sales Experience
Retail Operations / Management Experience

Experience:

Wine sales: 2 - 4 years (Required)