Careers in the Wine Industry

[Diddy]

Hi all,

I've been harbouring ambitions for quite some time to change career paths and try to break into the wine industry.

I'm a commercial lawyer by trade, but currently work on the credit management side of things for a major telco.

Are there any similar roles floating around in the industry or am I holding out hope for something that doesn't exist?

Any advice about getting a start in the industry?

Thanks in advance.

[Waiters Friend]

Hi Diddy

Depends on your reasons for going into the industry. Particularly for late entrants, the wine industry is not a big salary payer.

In 1997, I took long service leave from my job (at the time) and worked (unpaid) a vintage at a WA winery, for the experience. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the work (especially the mix of physical and intellectual) of being a winemaker, from a financial perspective, I would have spent another 6 years doing my winemaking degree, and emerged as a 40 year old looking for his first gig. Even the owner of the winery I was working for suggested I would be unemployable, and I was already earning more money than the senior winemaker I was working with. With a young and expanding family at the time, I stayed with my 'real job', although it didn't stop me working in the industry part time over the next decade.

However, if money is not as much of an issue, and you are looking for a lifestyle change, or just from personal interest, there are non-winemaking positions around. The marketing / sales side is there, and I reckon that would be a hard slog right now, given the abundance of competition and the need to be inventive in your promotions. However, there seems to be some turnover in the sales / marketing side, while I think the industry has stabilised in terms of winery / vineyard staff.

There are also positions in wine wholesalers for accounts receivable positions who chase up poor payers (restaurants, retailers), and I am not sure if this relates to what you are currently doing (credit management).

I suggest you give some thought as to why you want to be in the wine industry. Is your contribution something that is largely independent of the product, or something that places your stamp on (even a small part of) the wine industry?

And of course, if money is REALLY not an issue, there's always the saying "if you want to make a small fortune in the wine industry - start with a large one".

Cheers

Allan

[dave vino]

Have a look here
http://www.winejobs.com.au/

[Diddy]

Allan,

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. On reflection, my move into the wine industry is a means to try and incorporate a bit more 'passion' into my career.

I've found myself in a bit of a rut and am looking for a little more joy out of work (if that's possible).

Most people recommend doing what makes you happy, so if I could put my efforts into something enjoyable such as wine, then surely that can't be such a bad thing.

I suspect the type of role I'd be suited to are few and far between however...

[sparky]

There's always scope for credit management in the wine game and here on the good ship Treasury we also have a fleet of legals for various purposes. Most of the bigger players would have those roles in some shape or form in the corporate structure.

We're about to head into yet another round of restructuring so there's no time like the present to stick your nose in the door and ask the question if the big end of town is something you want to consider.

You're welcome to PM me for more info on what it's like on the inside or go here to see what's currently happening.

http://www.tweglobal.com/careers/

[Milan]

Hello,

I have been in the Liquor Retail Industry for 10 years now with managing stores for 9 of those years.

If you are looking to get into the wine side of things for career progression, retail speaking...DO NOT get a job with either Coles (First Choice, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars) or Woolworths (Dan Murphys, Woolies Liquor, BWS).

The pay does not reflect whatsoever the work that goes on from either company. They are both the same devil. You know something is terribly wrong when a casual team member earns more than a Manager can for less hours. How does that work? Sure, the casual does not get sick and annual leave, however most Managers that wish to progress through generally do not take their sick leave or annual leave anyway.

Managing for either company is not about simply running a Liquor Store either anymore. The amount of paper work that has amassed since I first started is shocking and really takes away from serving the customer and training the team correctly. You are also a OH&S officer, Payroll Manager, Merchandiser, Team Trainer, Stocktaker, Product Knowledge trainer, Auditor, Liquor Accord Representative, Admin specialist (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)...all that and much more I cannot think of that I do for a $50,000 salary and around 50 hours a week (meant to be 40 but this doesn't happen...sometimes it is more, in my case with a team of 9...up to 70 hours). Take away the super and so on and you are left with around $38,000.

How does that sound?

The job does have some perks...I recommend out of the lot Vintage Cellars. Reps seem to take care of you if you look after them with ordering their goods in. Free wine! Dinner nights out occassionally from suppliers is good too...however this is on an irregular basis.

I loved the job for the team and culture I fostered in the store, the customer base we had built, the wines...unfortunately, any hopes of further progression are zapped as they no longer promote from within. You have to leave the business, do something else, then come in again as an Area Manager which would be the next step.

There is more to say yet I cannot be bothered to keep mentioning, I'm sure you get the idea.

Cheers.