Cellar Master

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At Cruise Academy, we don’t just teach it - we’ve lived it. Founded in 2017 by seafarers for seafarers, we specialize in maritime training and shipboard recruitment for the global cruise industry.

We tell it like it is - the good, the bad, and the downright exhausting. No sugarcoating, no sales pitch - just real, honest insights from those who’ve been there. Because you deserve to know exactly what to expect before stepping onboard.

We are MLC Certified and proudly audited and approved by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, ensuring the highest standards in training, recruitment, and compliance.

If you're serious about a career at sea, we’ll get you there - the right way.

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