Daniel Kline
Summary
Results-driven beverage and retail professional with over 20 years of experience specializing in wine, beer, and spirits merchandising, department leadership, product selection, and customer education. Demonstrated success in managing beverage departments, supporting corporate merchandising strategies, and creating impactful product displays that significantly drive sales performance. Expertise in innovative merchandising strategies and retail operations enhances product visibility and boosts customer engagement. Eager to leverage extensive industry knowledge and collaborative skills to explore growth opportunities within the alcoholic beverage sector in Sonoma County and surrounding areas.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Beverage Department Manager
Lazy Acres
04.2015 - Current
- Helped open store operations and support initial beverage department setup
- Assisted with product selection for wine, beer, and spirits categories
- Maintained attractive, high-performing displays to support sales goals
- Educated customers and associates on beverage products and selections
- Scheduled and supervised up to three sales clerks
- Annual sales increases
- Consistently achieved regular sales and loss prevention bonuses
Field Specialist / Merchandiser
Bristol Farms
08.2026 - 04.2026
- Traveled throughout Southern California to maintain product assortment, merchandising standards, and beverage education across Bristol Farms and Lazy Acres Markets
- Supported the Corporate Merchandising Team with category execution and display strategy
- Assisted corporate alcohol buyers with product selection decisions
- Developed varietal, beer, and spirits assortments and schematics
- Implemented the Wine Department Directive Calendar to improve consistency and planning
- Supported new product acquisition and display design consultation
Beverage Department Manager
Lazy Acres
10.2013 - 04.2015
- Managed wine, beer, and spirits displays and department presentation
- Delivered product education to customers and team members
- Supervised and scheduled up to three sales clerks
- Earned regular bonuses tied to sales and loss prevention performance
Beverage Department Head
Cost Plus World Market
10.2009 - 09.2017
- Advanced from Sales Associate to Stock Coordinator to Beverage Department Head
- Managed beverage department operations and merchandising activities
- Supported inventory organization, stock flow, and customer-facing presentation
- Recognized for strong performance and offered advancement to supervisor
Assistant Manager / Sales Leader
Pier 1 Imports
11.2006 - 10.2009
- Promoted from Sales Associate to Floor Manager / Sales Leader and Stock Coordinator
- Supported daily store operations, sales leadership, and merchandising execution
- Helped drive customer service standards and team performance
Education
Bachelor of Music - Vocal Performance
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA06.2008
Associate of Arts - General Education – Music Emphasis
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA2002
Skills
- Beverage merchandising
- Wine, beer, and spirits knowledge
- Food pairing
- Retail management
- Sales growth
- Staff scheduling
- Microsoft Office
- Relationship building
- Training and mentoring
- Courteous and professional
- Inventory management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Excellent communication
- Visual merchandising
- Guest engagement
- Product display
- Order management
- Employee coaching
- Product expertise
- Standards development
- Overstock strategy
- Merchandising plan development
- Planogram resets
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Laptop and mobile device use
- New store setups
Accomplishments
- Designed store displays for store promotions during the holiday seasons and quarterly assortments.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking and transfers
- Supervised teams of 2-3 staff members.
- Ensured display standards, inventory management / adjustments, and staff and supervisor eduction within a network of 15 stores throughout Southern California.
- Lead "New Store" beverage set-up and product selection.
- Regular Sales / Performance bonuses and recognition.
Certification
- Vinology- Gallo Wine Education Program | 2024-04
- Cerritos College- Certificate in Coaching
- Cerritos College- Certificate in Excel
- Cerritos College- Certificate in Power BI (initial)
Languages
German – Intermediate
Professional Working
French – Beginner
Elementary
Italian – Beginner
Elementary
Hebrew
Limited Working
Timeline
Field Specialist / Merchandiser
Bristol Farms
08.2026 - 04.2026
Beverage Department Manager
Lazy Acres
04.2015 - Current
Beverage Department Manager
Lazy Acres
10.2013 - 04.2015
Beverage Department Head
Cost Plus World Market
10.2009 - 09.2017
Assistant Manager / Sales Leader
Pier 1 Imports
11.2006 - 10.2009
Bachelor of Music - Vocal Performance
California State University Long Beach
Associate of Arts - General Education – Music Emphasis
Fresno City College