Wine Buyers

• We see a regular flow of junior candidates wanting to move into wine buying.  With good reason: close to the product & producers, the opportunity for continuous wine education, regular travel to wine regions.  Buying roles are highly regarded in the wine sector. Our advice for anyone looking to get into wine buying roles is to build an effective network of your own of wine buyers, express your interest in the role and gain your WSET wine qualifications early on in your wine career.

• Salaries in wine buying are often lower than those in sales and marketing particularly at junior and mid-level roles. The benefits of the wine buying role (travel, MW) are still seen as a significant part of the overall package and bonuses are often relatively lo . Wine buying roles often only become available if someone has been promoted; there is little movement between companies and very few new wine buying roles have been created.  The demand for these roles and the infrequency of hiring makes it difficult for candidates to negotiate offered salaries.

• The level of wine knowledge required for a buyer role is high with employers often looking for WSET Diploma level when hiring at even at the mid-level. It is normal for buyers to undertake the MW sponsored by their employer in these roles.

• At senior levels the Head of Buying is often on the management committee and reporting into the MD. This person can also run NPD/Technical and in some cases can have additional responsibility for Operations and/or Marketing. Bonuses at this level can be significant and a profit share arrangement may apply. Titles of this role can be varied such as: Agency Director, Portfolio Director, Buying Director.

• An exception is wine buyers in UK supermarket teams whose salaries are significantly higher than on the trade side. Again these roles are highly prized and offer significant influence within the industry.  As a result people stay in these roles for many years.