Shape the Future of Premium Wine
Meridian Wine Merchants is looking for an accomplished National Wine Sales Specialist Manager to lead our premium wine sales strategy, elevate specialist sales capability and strengthen our position as a leader in the premium wine market.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced commercial wine professional who combines exceptional wine knowledge with strategic customer management and leadership capability.
Working closely with the Sales Director, brand partners and premium customers, you will lead a team of Wine Sales Specialists while driving premium portfolio growth, customer partnerships and commercial excellence.
About the Role
You will be responsible for:
- Leading Meridian's premium wine sales strategy
- Growing premium wine revenue and profitability
- Leading and developing a team of Wine Sales Specialists
- Building strategic relationships with premium customers
- Driving premium wine listings and category growth
- Providing commercial insights using customer and wine list data
- Representing Meridian within the premium wine industry
- New customer identification
What You'll Do
Commercial Leadership
- Develop and execute the national premium wine sales strategy.
- Drive premium wine revenue and profitability.
- Drive growth of specific brands in the Meridian portfolio
- Identify premium growth opportunities across customers and regions.
- Develop annual commercial plans for the premium portfolio with a focus in the On Consumption channel
- Budget negotiation with clients
- Understanding of the retail landscape and the planning required at outlet level
Customer & Trade Management
- Build strategic relationships with identified customers.
- Engagement with restaurateurs, sommeliers, wine buyers and hospitality groups.
- Advise and support customers with premium wine selection and offering development and optimisation.
- Drive premium listings and menu placements.
Wine Category Leadership
- Provide category insights and premium recommendations.
- Analyse customer premium wine offering and identify growth opportunities.
- Drive premium portfolio management strategy.
- Monitor market and competitor trends.
Team Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop the Wine Specialist team.
- Conduct field coaching and customer visits.
- Build wine sales and commercial capability.
- Support succession and talent development.
Commercial Intelligence
- Manage the Wine List Database.
- Analyse customer, market and portfolio performance.
- Produce commercial reports and recommendations.
- Support strategic decision-making through market insights.
- Identify market trends and regional requirements
Brand Representation
- Represent Meridian at trade shows, tastings and customer events.
- Build brand relationships.
- Position Meridian as the premium wine partner of choice.
How Success is Measured
You will be successful if you:
- Grow premium wine revenue.
- Increase premium listings.
- Build trusted customer partnerships.
- Develop specialist capability.
- Deliver commercial insights.
- Position Meridian as the leading premium wine partner.
- Become the supplier of choice for premium wine
Minimum Requirements
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Sales, Marketing or Hospitality.
- 5–8 years commercial premium wine or FMCG experience at a leadership level.
- Strong commercial and customer management capability.
- Certified wine education: WSET level 3, Cape Wine Academy Certificate level, Certified Sommelier level or higher.
- Category Management experience.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Valid driver's licence and own reliable vehicle.
What You'll Bring
- Passion for premium wine.
- Wine brand-building knowledge
- Your connections and reputation within the wine industry
- Channel expertise
- Commercial mindset.
- Customer-first approach.
- Strategic thinking.
- Strong leadership capability.
- Ability to influence at executive level.
- Excellent relationship-building skills.
Why Join Meridian?
Meridian Wine Merchants connects some of South Africa's most exciting premium wine brands with the country's leading restaurants, retailers, hotels and wine professionals. Every day is an opportunity to learn, grow and make an impact in an industry we're passionate about.
We're a team that works hard, celebrates success and is always looking for better ways to do things. We value people who bring energy, curiosity, integrity and a genuine love for wine. Here, your ideas matter, your contribution is recognised, and your growth is part of our success.
If you're passionate about premium wine, thrive in a fast-moving environment and want to build a career where you'll be challenged, supported and inspired every day, come and grow with us.