GENERAL SUMMARY
The Spirits Auction & Acquisitions Advisor manages the acquisition of rare and collectible spirits from private collections for consignment. The role oversees the full consignment process, from sourcing collections and cultivating seller relationships to verifying provenance, authenticity, and bottle condition and coordinating intake with operations. Using internal sales history and external market data, the Advisor provides accurate collection estimates and sets competitive auction reserves across whiskey, Cognac, Armagnac, rum, agave, and other collectible categories. While the Advisor may also assist with wine collections as needed, spirits are the primary focus of the role. Success requires consistently meeting department goals, collaborating effectively across departments, and delivering a seamless client experience that builds repeat business and supports the company's long-term growth.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with spirits consignors and collectors; serves as the primary point of contact for a client's sale.
- Sources, evaluates, and secures spirits consignments through proactive outreach, client consultations, and strategic relationship building within the collector community.
- Assesses the provenance, condition (fill level, closure and seal integrity, label and packaging condition), and current market value of client collections; advises consignors on timing, format, and estimated returns.
- Authenticates bottles by examining labels, bottle codes, closures, tax strips, and original packaging; identifies counterfeit, refilled, or tampered bottles and escalates concerns appropriately.
- Researches distillery, bottler, release, and cask or batch details to build accurate lot descriptions and support valuations.
- Meets or exceeds department goals by developing new business opportunities and maximizing existing relationships.
- Maintains exceptional customer service standards across all communication platforms.
- Handles complex client interactions with professionalism, using diplomacy and problem-solving to achieve positive outcomes.
- Oversees inbound collection logistics by organizing schedules, coordinating with carriers, and providing clear updates to clients.
- Collaborates with operations team to ensure timely processing, accurate condition reporting (including fill levels and closure condition), and sale readiness.
- Monitors rare spirits market trends, secondary market pricing for allocated and limited releases, competitive auction activity, and recent internal sale results to guide consignors and optimize results.
- Executes all other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
Compensation:
$70,000 annual base salary, plus a competitive performance-based quarterly commission program.
$140,000 annual On-target earnings (OTE) with additional upside potential.
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Extensive knowledge of rare and collectible spirits, including American whiskey, Scotch and Japanese whisky, Cognac, Armagnac, rum, and agave spirits, as well as past and current industry and secondary market trends.
- Familiarity with spirits authentication practices, including bottle codes, closures, tax strips, and common counterfeiting indicators.
- High attention to detail
- Insightful data analysis
- Strong computer skills, including Office 365, Slack and common carrier shipping software
- Ability to deal with complaints and conflict resolutions in a professional and decisive manner.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Flexibility to work early or late or varied days on occasion.
- Ability to work independently as well as with a team.
- Strong time management and organizational skills.
Education:
- Professional spirits certification (WSET Spirits, CSS, Bourbon Steward, or similar) or equivalent knowledge derived through work experience
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
Required Length and Type of Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years' experience in spirits auction, retail, distribution, bar programs, or other related customer-facing environments.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS
The characteristics below are representative of the physical and environmental demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to stand and walk for up to 8 hours per day.
- Ability to repeatedly lift, push, pull, bend, stoop, twist, and kneel.
CORE COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
All individuals are expected to meet the standards of performance in the core competencies listed below as applied to the position.
- Performance Standards - Sets and maintains high performance standards; pays close attention to detail, accuracy, and completeness; shows concern for all aspects of the job and follows up on work outputs.
- Customer Focus - Consistently provides excellent service; proactively offers assistance; communicates clearly, professionally, and positively; looks for ways to add value beyond customers' immediate needs; works diligently to find solutions when issues arise.
- Motivation - Displays energy and enthusiasm; commits to putting in additional effort; maintains a high level of productivity and self-direction.
- Reliability - Takes personal responsibility for job performance; completes work in a timely and consistent manner; follows through on commitments; reports to work professionally dressed and on time.
- Adaptability - Adapts positively to changing work environments, work priorities, and organizational needs; Able to effectively deal with change and diverse people.
- Teamwork - Contributes to a positive team environment; works effectively with others in team setting and across departments; able and willing to share and receive information; puts team/company goals first.
- Professionalism - Maintains professional demeanor and communication with customers, colleagues, and management at all times; demonstrates ability to remain professional during periods of high volume or stress.
- Communication - Expresses ideas effectively; organizes and delivers information appropriately; listens actively.
- Integrity - Acts in the best interest of the company; shares complete and accurate information; adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
- Initiative - Takes action to influence events; demonstrates a sense of urgency and responsiveness; generates ideas for improvement; does more than required.
- Problem Solving - Effectively identifies problems, analyzes relevant information, and finds solutions. Escalates issues to management team as appropriate.
- Planning and Organization - Plans and organizes tasks and work responsibilities to achieve objectives; sets priorities; allocates and uses resources properly.
- Compliance - Consistently adheres to all workplace health and safety policies.
Leadership Competency Requirements
- Mentorship Skills - Takes a proactive approach to teaching/assisting less experienced colleagues. Leads by doing. Models a high level of professionalism and customer service aptitude.
- Personal Attributes - Always acts in a principled manner. Demonstrates continuous learning and improvement mentality. Fosters credibility through trust and relationships. Demonstrates respect for all.
- Results Oriented - Achieves results and models a strong sense of accountability. Translates priorities and actions into measurable results. Cultivates a growth mindset regarding business and professional development. Strong project management skills.
Salary Description
$70,000-$140,000
