Waitrose has appointed Ken Mackay MW to the role of Champagne and sparkling wine buying manager.

The supermarket is looking to recruit another wine buying manager to replace Andrew Shaw, who is moving to BIbendum at the end of September.

Mackay has been with the multiple since 2008, having become the youngest ever Master of Wine in 2006. He will lead a team of two wine buyers and a buying assistant, as well as control buying for Champagne and sparkling wine.

Pierpaolo Petrassi MW, head of buying for beers, wines, spirits and tobacco, said: “We are delighted to be able to promote Ken to this senior role. The subsequent addition of a second buying manager to the wine  team will give us the structure to pursue the considerable opportunity for growth within this flagship category for Waitrose.”

Earlier this month Waitrose added Chinese and Brazilian wines to its list, including Changyu Cabernet Gernischt Miolo Cuvée Tradition Brut Rose NV. The supermarket sees itself as a “champion of lesser-known wines”, last year it began selling two Indian wines.