Tasting Room Manager (Wine Jobs: Wine Retail & Sommelier)

  Darcie Kent Vineyards

  Livermore, California

Darcie Kent Vineyards, located in the beautiful Livermore Valley, is seeking an energetic and dynamic team member for the role of Tasting Room Manager that can take an active role in building a positive team culture to take our Tasting Room, Concert Series, and Art Gallery to the next level of customer experience and satisfaction. 

A successful candidate will have an incredible work ethic, be detail oriented, enjoy a fast-paced work environment and lead by example. The Tasting Room Manager is responsible for leading the daily activities of the Tasting Room team, ensuring the highest customer service and satisfaction standards are met, and achieving wine sales and wine club membership sign-up goals. 

Our ideal candidate is a creative leader, who takes complete ownership of assigned tasks, duties, and responsibilities, is deadline-oriented, is able to multi-task and remain calm in stressful situations, is a problem solver that proactively identifies, addresses and resolves issues impacting tasting room operations, adjusts well to change, and can consistently produce high quality work with minimal supervision. 

Position Summary:

The Tasting Room Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the Darcie Kent Vineyards (DKV) Tasting Room and Art Gallery, while demonstrating superior customer service and leadership. He/she directly supervises approximately 16 part-time tasting room associates and supervisors while carrying out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and all applicable laws. In addition, the Tasting Room Manager is responsible for conducting 6-8 Summer Concerts on the winery grounds.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•  Develop and oversee the following procedures: daily opening and closing, point of sale, customer service, housekeeping, safety, shipping and handling, cash, and others as required to maintain an efficient operation
•  Provide a consistent presence as the on-floor manager during Tasting Room Hours of Operations
•  Assist with regular physical inventory counts of wine and merchandise 
•  Manage tasting room supplies inventory to support daily operations and special events
•  Develop, implement, and maintain proper Point of Sale (POS) procedures using our Vin65 POS system
•  Ensure all policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws are being followed
•  Maintain the Tasting Room Storeroom in a clean and organized fashion
•  Maintain the Tasting Room and art gallery appearance to ensure it provides a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere to our guests
•  Work collaboratively with the Wine Club Manager to organize and execute quarterly wine club release events
•  Deliver exceptional customer service, rapidly resolve customer services issues and motivate others to do the same
•  Maintain sufficient levels of staffing to support tasting room and special event operations 
•  Provide leadership, training, and coaching to staff on regular basis on both tasting room operations, wine knowledge and serving etiquette, hospitality and customer service
•  Design and promote outreach programs to drive consumer traffic to the winery.
•  Maintain a professional appearance at all times and ensure direct reports comply with uniform and appearance policies as well.
•  Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned. Please note that DKV does not currently host weddings, and has no plans to do so in the immediate future.

Physical Demands:

•  Able to lift and carry 50 pounds 
•  Able to stand for extended periods of time
•  Able to work outdoors when required at release parties and special events
•  This position requires the ability to reach with hands and arms, sit, walk, climb, stoop, and kneel. 

Professional Qualifications: 

•  Associate or Bachelor’s degree preferred, with an emphasis on business, sales, and marketing.
•  Prior Tasting Room experience is strongly desired. 
•  Strong wine knowledge and passion to learn more.
•  Prior supervisory experience (restaurant or wine retail environment) is preferred
•  Strong Leadership and team building skills
•  Project management skills and multi-tasking ability.
•  Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and social media required.
•  Experience with Schedulfly, Vin65, and Account Edge is desired but not required.
•  Excellent communication skills


Salary Information:

•  We offer a competitive salary, plus commissions for wine sales, wine club sign-ups, and original art sales along with an employee benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance.
•  If mutually agreeable, the Tasting Room Manager could also be the Caretaker and reside at the winery in an upscale 4-room apartment (2 bedroom, 1 full bath) with complete kitchen. As the Caretaker position is solely for the convenience of DKV, the apartment is provided free of rent and all utilities. A dog is welcome if highly sociable with other animals.