Wine and Spirits Assistant Department Manager
Location: La Crosse - Copeland
Position Type:
Full-TimeABOUT FESTIVAL FOODS:We are a Wisconsin grocer that is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and providing guests with exceptional service and value. We operate +40 full-service supermarkets across the state of Wisconsin. At Festival, people are at the top of our list. You'll see it in everything from our daily interactions to how we treat our guests – even in our extensive associate benefits and programs.
Job Title: Wine and Spirits Assistant Department Manager
Reports To: Wine and Spirits Department Manager
As a Wine & Spirits Assistant Manager, you'll bring your enthusiasm and expertise to a leadership role where you help the Department Manager guide a team of associates in delivering exceptional guest experiences. Whether you have a background as a bartender, team lead, or retail customer service professional, this role offers the opportunity to grow your skills in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment. You'll support the Wine & Spirits Department Manager by mentoring team members, sharing product knowledge, and helping guests discover new favorites—from craft beers to fine wines and premium spirits. Your ability to make personalized recommendations and foster a welcoming atmosphere will make you a key part of our success.
What You'll Do:
Mentor & Coach: Reinforce Festival's culture and service standards while guiding associates in daily operations and guest interactions.
Grow the Team: Assist the Department Manager in hiring, training, and developing associates, including delivering feedback, reviews and coaching for advancement.
Finalize the Schedule: Finalize and approve weekly work schedules to ensure coverage.
Support Operations: Monitor inventory levels, pricing accuracy, and department standards to keep everything running smoothly.
Be the Go-To Expert: Answer questions, provide guidance, and ensure associates are knowledgeable about liquor, wine, spirits, and beer.
Deliver Guest Service: Help guests find products, take special orders, and resolve concerns with professionalism and care.
Lead by Example: Work alongside your team, assist with daily tasks, stocking merchandise, and maintain a clean, organized department.
Collaborate: Partner with vendors, department managers, and team members to exceed guest expectations.
Other duties as assigned.
Support the Team: Regular, timely attendance in compliance with the work schedule, and adequate notice to find a replacement for occasional absences.
What You Bring:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To excel as the Wine & Spirits Assistant Manager at Festival Foods, you should have:
High School Education or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must be at least 21 years of age in order to sample products sold in the wine and spirits department.
Understands being in a leadership role and how to motivate a team of individuals.
Thorough knowledge of the retail food business and wine and spirits department operations is strongly preferred.
Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with customers and all personnel.
Ability to make timely and effective decisions in the absence of the Wine and Spirits Department Manager.
Good oral and written communication skills and the ability to handle a diverse crew in a stressful environment.
Thorough understanding of all safety requirements and company safety policies.
Must possess the ability to apply on-the-job safety training to recognize and react to possible safety hazards on store premises. Also requires proper training and knowledge of the following equipment/procedures: hand jack, baler, forklift, pallet jack, trash compactor, proper lifting techniques, and proper scanning techniques.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The employee must possess the ability to stand in place for long periods of time; walk in the store; bend, stoop and kneel regularly.
Requires fine finger and broad manual dexterity, and eye-hand-foot coordination in order to operate equipment.
This position requires the employee to have full range of upper body motion in order to occasionally lift stock. Requires the ability to perform repetitive tasks for prolonged periods of time.
Must possess functional sensory abilities in order to visually monitor the store, create attractive displays, and to operate equipment.
The position requires the employee to lift up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
Working conditions consist of occasional exposure to extreme temperatures.
Work Schedule:
The Wine and Spirits Assistant Manager is a full-time position. The work schedule will include mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Benefits OverviewWHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE:Associate Discount: Enjoy an industry-leading 15% off your grocery purchases for you and your immediate household!
Weekly Pay & Premium Pay: Hourly associates are paid weekly, providing more frequent access to their funds. Part-time store associates are paid a $1 premium per hour on Sundays and select holidays. Hourly full-time store associates receive time and a half on Sundays and select holidays.
Two-Week Advanced Scheduling: Better Planning. Better Balance. We provide our associates with their schedules two weeks in advance, offering greater predictability & flexibility.
Vision & Dental Insurance: Part-time and full-time associates are eligible for vision insurance and two dental coverage options that are designed to fit your needs.
Support: Our associates receive support for their total well-being; including 3 weeks of paid parental leave, a fitness reimbursement program offering savings off of fitness membership fees; our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and LEAPCare Care Coaches, which provide associates confidential care related to hospital visitation, conflict resolution, stress management, marriage or divorce, family issues and depression or anxiety.
Save for Your Future: Offering a 401(k), we're proud to support our associates in planning for retirement. The 401(k) plan empowers associates to save a portion of their paychecks for retirement. Festival Foods has an annual discretionary match to help our associates reach their savings goals.
Festival Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We are dedicated to building a top-notch team of skilled, experienced and service-oriented associates. Festival Foods believes that an inclusive environment for teammates of all backgrounds and perspectives strengthens our ability to serve our guests and communities.
Address30 Copeland AveCityLa CrosseStateWIPostal Code54603
