WSET Global

WSET Alumni insights

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Drinks industry jobs and career paths

The global drinks industry supports millions of jobs, from casual bartenders to award-winning winemakers. This is an extremely diverse and dynamic industry, and it’s perfect for anyone seeking a rewarding career in the beverage industry. Drinks industry careers fall into three broad categories: commercial roles, service roles and production roles. Follow the links below to learn more about the...

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Commercial Roles

These roles focus on buying, selling and marketing drinks. We have explained the key skills required for each role, along with the core responsibilities. You will also learn how to advance to more senior positions within each sector, from gaining valuable qualifications to taking on additional responsibilities.

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Production roles

These roles focus on producing wines, beers, spirits and sake. It’s a dynamic sector of the industry, covering award-winning winemakers, master distillers, seasoned viticulturists and much more. We have discussed the key responsibilities of each role below. You will discover the main skills required to flourish in each sector, and we will also discuss career progression.

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Toji (Master Sake Brewer)

A Tōji is a master sake brewer. This deeply respected role blends art, science and intuition, while building upon centuries of Japanese tradition.

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Beverage buyer

A buyer is responsible for sourcing a diverse range of drinks on behalf of a business, such as a supermarket, a wine merchant or a hotel chain. Buyers aim to build a range that appeals to existing customers, but they also need to attract new customers. The portfolio should stand out from the competition, while offering a strong blend of quality and value.

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Retail Store Manager

A store manager oversees the day-to-day operations at a wine, beer or spirits shop. It could be a boutique store in a small village, a fine wine merchant in a major city centre or perhaps one of many stores in a large chain.

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Other Service Careers

There are lots of additional roles within the service sector. These are some of the other career paths to consider: Waiter: Many wine and spirits professionals start out as waiters before eventually becoming sommeliers or pursuing other hospitality career options. Driver: Drinks retailers, wholesalers and distributors employ drivers to transport stock across the country or further afield....