Cellar Master

Position Summary

The Cellar Master is responsible for the end-to-end management, control, and integrity of all beverage inventories onboard, with a primary focus on wines, spirits, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. This role ensures accurate stock control, proper storage, regulatory compliance, and seamless supply chain coordination to support uninterrupted onboard operations.

Working closely with Food & Beverage leadership, shipboard finance, and shore-side supply teams, the Cellar Master plays a critical role in cost control, audit readiness, and maintaining product quality standards. The position requires strong organisational skills, commercial awareness, and the ability to operate effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced maritime environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate control and accountability of all beverage inventory onboard, including wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks, and consumables

• Oversee receiving, verification, storage, rotation, and issuing of beverage products in line with company procedures and safety standards

• Conduct regular stock counts, cycle counts, and full inventories, ensuring variances are investigated, explained, and documented

• Monitor stock levels to prevent shortages, overstocking, spoilage, or expired products

• Ensure correct storage conditions for wines and beverages, including temperature control, handling standards, and security

• Prepare and submit inventory reports, consumption analyses, and variance explanations to shipboard and shore-side stakeholders

• Support cost-control initiatives through accurate forecasting, waste reduction, and responsible inventory management

• Coordinate closely with Food & Beverage management to support menu execution, special events, and beverage promotions

• Ensure compliance with flag-state regulations, customs requirements, alcohol handling laws, and internal audit standards

• Participate in onboard audits, inspections, and inventory verifications as required

• Train and guide assigned crew in correct inventory handling, storage, and issuing procedures

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised cellar and storage environment in accordance with health, safety, and environmental standards

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Non-Negotiable Requirements

• Previous experience in beverage inventory management, cellar operations, or supply control within a cruise ship, hotel, resort, or large-scale hospitality environment

• Extensive working knowledge of wine, including varietals, regions, storage, handling, and service standards

• Formal wine education demonstrated through WSET, ISG, CMS, SWE, or an equivalent recognised certification

• Strong working knowledge of stock control principles, inventory accuracy, and variance management

• Proven ability to work with inventory systems, spreadsheets, and digital reporting tools

• High level of numerical accuracy and attention to detail

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while meeting strict deadlines

• Strong organisational and time-management skills

• Good command of English, both written and verbal, for reporting and operational communication

• Ability to live and work onboard a vessel in a rotational contract environment

Strongly Preferred

• Prior cruise ship experience in a Cellar Master, Beverage Controller, or similar role

• Knowledge of international beverage brands, wine varietals, and storage requirements

• Experience supporting audits, inspections, and inventory reconciliations

• Understanding of cost-control strategies within food and beverage operations

• Familiarity with maritime compliance, customs controls, and bonded stores procedures

• Experience training or supervising junior inventory or storeroom personnel

Contract Details

• Double cabin

• 6:2 rotation (auto-renewable contracts of 6 consecutive months onboard, followed by 2 months of vacation