<h2>About the role</h2><p>We’re looking for an exceptional wine leader to take full ownership of the Wine category across one of the UK’s largest and most diverse retail and catering businesses. This is a rare role — the kind that genuinely influences the wine landscape at scale.</p><p>You’ll set the long-term vision for Wine across both on- and off-trade, lead a high-performing team, and work with some of the world’s most respected producers. You’ll shape a portfolio that reaches independent retailers, restaurants, pubs, hotels and specialist wine-led businesses across the UK.</p><p>If you have deep wine expertise (WSET Diploma or Master of Wine), strong commercial leadership, and a passion for building a truly best-in-class wine offer, this is the platform to make a national impact.</p><h2>Main Responsibilities</h2><ul><li>Own and deliver the Wine category strategy: range, sourcing, pricing, quality, customer experience and long-term growth.</li><li>Guide and develop a talented team, role-modelling expert leadership and elevating wine capability across the business.</li><li>Shape the wine offer for both on- and off-trade, ensuring it meets the needs of traditional wine customers and emerging market opportunities.</li><li>Lead supplier relationships with major global producers, negotiating annual terms and building partnerships that drive mutual growth.</li><li>Drive innovation across branded and own‑brand ranges, using your wine expertise to enhance quality, consistency and customer appeal.</li><li>Use customer insight and market intelligence to refine the category plan, ensuring it stays ahead of trends in the UK wine market.</li><li>Play a senior role in BWS leadership, influencing major strategic programmes including supply chain modernisation and on‑trade expansion.</li><li>Represent the category with credibility and authority across the business, up to Director and ExCo levels.</li></ul><h2>You will need</h2><ul><li>WSET Diploma as a minimum — Master of Wine(advantageous), or equivalent senior industry expertise.</li><li>Significant wine experience across on-trade and off-trade, ideally with exposure to global sourcing, brand partnerships or industry bodies.</li><li>Proven leadership of a commercial or buying team with accountability for major P&amp;L delivery.</li><li>Strong negotiation experience with senior stakeholders across producers, agents, and global wine brands.</li><li>A deep understanding of the UK wine market, evolving consumer tastes, and emerging regions.</li><li>Excellent strategic thinking — able to balance commercial performance with customer experience and category innovation.</li><li>A collaborative, confident communicator able to influence at the most senior levels.</li></ul><h2>What's in it for you</h2><p>At Booker, along with being a great place to work and giving you an opportunity to get on in your career, we also offer the following fantastic package of benefits:</p><ul><li>A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.</li><li>After 3 months service, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for a 4 day period after every four-weekly pay day, ie. thirteen times a year. In addition to 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&amp;F purchases.</li><li>10% off pay monthly &amp; SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.</li><li>Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.</li><li>Free eye test when you spend £50 or more. You can also save 30% when you spend £50 or more on glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.</li><li>50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.</li><li>Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates</li><li>An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.</li><li>After 3 months service, you can join our annual Save As You Earn share scheme which allows you to buy Tesco shares in the future at a discount.</li><li>Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.</li><li>Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay</li><li>Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family.</li><li>A great holiday package</li></ul><p class="flex justify-end my-8"><a class="btn flex items-center bg-orange w-full md:w-1/2 md:p-5 text-left text-xl" href="https://applybookercareers.com/members/?j=29424" target="_blank">Apply now <span class="text-4xl font-light grow text-right">&gt;</span></a></p>