Overview
The Sommelier’s objective is to drive revenue performance and maximize sales opportunities by promoting wine/ beverage offers and promotions. This position will provide informed guidance and recommendations to our customers to ensure correct pairing of food and wine.
Expectation to be fully versed in all duties within the Premium operation in order to ensure a smooth and efficient delivery proactively seeking improvements and reacting to challenges as they arise
This role will pay an hourly wage of $25 to $30.00.
For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).
Responsibilities
- Ensure bar outlet is prepared and ready on time
- Promotion of key wines and offerings
- Timely customer service response time to orders reducing waiting time
- Follows all opening and closing duties as directed by Director or Premium
- Ensure all FOH waiting staff/ bartenders are correctly briefed and trained about promotions, wine origins, display settings etc.
- Ensure grooming of staff is up to standard
- Ensure staff are positive, smiling and engaging with all guests
- Staff are properly and professionally orientated
- Ensure that the wine/ champagne list is accurate and reflects seasonal, on trend beverage promotions and present current market trends/ findings to Premium Department
- ensuring that selected suppliers meet internal purchasing and procurement guidelines and are set within financial parameters
- Prepare and create bespoke event beverage/ wine and champagne list to meet customer demands
- Conduct periodical department stock takes including glassware stock take
- Ensure any shortages of equipment are communicated Director of Premium in a timely manner
- Ensure procedures are in place to minimize breakages
- All bars, wine stations and glassware are correctly stocked pre service
- Stocktakes are accurately completed; the information provided to cellar is 100% accurate
- Any wastage is accurately recorded with reasons why and solutions followed up
- Stock is never left unattended
- Measures are correctly used
- Stock discipline is practiced and trained at every opportunity
- Record Breakage/Spoilage
- Assist with Private Events beverage requisitioning and recording
- All beverage menus are in perfect condition: no spelling mistakes, accurate, all changes are reviewed and approved , adhering the menu change SOP
- Wines list is in perfect condition and all changed are reviewed and approved
- Attend department meetings
- Costing of offerings
- Wine Pairing Program
- Have a program for daily and weekly training on key wine/ champagne, drink offers
- Promote product awareness
- Train and instruct staff on up-selling techniques
- Listen to the staff for ideas and suggestions
- Share upwards opportunities for improvements
- Client needs to be carefully looked after at all times
- Pro-actively identify and address any weakness’s in information dissemination and delivery of service
- Ensure checklists are used and constructive notes are made for follow up
- Ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations and cleaning schedules are followed
Qualifications
- Minimum of Certified Level 2 from the Court Of Master Sommeliers and/or minimum Level 2 WSET
- 2+ years of Sommelier experience in a fine dining high volume environment
- Passion for wine and people
- Outstanding customer service skills and be a team player
- Exceptional wine knowledge, hospitality focused and strong ability to sell
- Previous experience in a fine dining environment is strongly preferred
- Good communication skills, organizational skills and ability to multi-task
- Positive attitude, self-motivated, polite, energetic and is a willing learner
- Ability to work a flexible schedule; able and willing to work nights, weekends, long hours, and holidays