Head Sommelier

We are looking for a Head Sommelier to oversee our wine menu and offer recommendations on the best pairings. The responsibilities include supervising wine serving, collaborating with winemakers to upgrade selections, and providing wine recommendations to guests.
To be successful as a Head Sommelier, you should demonstrate a friendly personality, strong knowledge of food and wine pairings, and good interpersonal skills. Ultimately, a top-notch Head Sommelier should have an understanding of the wine making process, ability to create exquisite food and wine pairings.

Head Sommelier Responsibilities:
-Provide leadership and direction in the execution and measurement of guest service standards within Beverage operations to ensure continued growth and profitability
-Oversee the restaurant’s extensive wine program, including developing wine, and beverage lists and pairings (if applicable)
-Develop and implement strategies to maximize wine/sake sales and cost efficiencies
-Develop a strong and continuously evolving wine and beverage program that is both successful financially but that also excites guests
-Create, develop and implement new wine and beverage menu items
-Keeping in mind personal taste and price preference, design profiling processes to generate individualized wine profiles for the guests
-Facilitate training to all employees of restaurant operations, and lead service staff to execute best in class wine and beverage service
-Create, develop and implement training guidelines for employees
-Oversee and manage all aspects of wine and beverage purchasing (within budget guidelines) and inventory, including ordering, receiving, organizing, maintenance, counting and reporting
-Establish and foster strong relationships with wine and beverage suppliers in order to ensure best product and pricing available
-Work closely with the General Manager by reporting financial statics in a timely and accurate manner as well as other issues with the wine and beverage program
-Track and research beverage trends in the industry and develop strategies utilizing market and consumer trend information
-Perform other duties as needed or assigned

Sommelier Requirements:
-Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit who is enthusiastic, energetic and personable
-Absolute level of integrity
-Leadership, motivational and teamwork skills – the ability to lead and to teach others to lead
-Thirst for learning and an openness to new ideas and new perspectives
-Self-motivated and driven, hands-on and capable in handling operations
-Flexible working hours to accommodate operations requirement
-Ability to adapt to constant market changes and work environment
-At least 5 years relevant experience in hospitality and fine dining, with a concentration in wine and beverage required
-Experience in running a diverse wine portfolio (responsibilities should include list selection, purchasing, inventory management, staff training, etc.)
-Extensive knowledge of wines characteristics; food and wine pairing
-Knowledge of beverage inventory and cost management
-Knowledge of health, safety and sanitation regulations
-Certification in Hospitality-related field or equivalent expertise gained from time on the job (specifically related to wine and beverage)