Senior Sommelier

SUSHISAMBA Dubai; Dubai; On-site; AED 335,000 - 558,000; Full time

Job summary

SUSHISAMBA Dubai is seeking an experienced Senior Sommelier to lead the wine programme and deliver exceptional wine experiences to an international clientele.

In this luxury dining setting, you will curate wine and beverage pairings, manage the wine cellar, and train the service team to maintain exemplary standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience as a Sommelier or Senior Sommelier in luxury dining.
• International experience is highly preferred.
• WSET Level 2 or Level 3 certification (or equivalent sommelier qualification) is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Old World and New World wines, Champagne, premium spirits, sake, and food pairing.
• Experience managing an extensive wine list and working with premium international clientele.
• Proven ability to increase beverage revenue through effective recommendations and upselling.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent in English; additional languages (e.g., Russian, Italian, Spanish) are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional wine service while creating memorable dining experiences for every guest.
• Recommend wine, sake, and beverage pairings that complement SUSHISAMBA's cuisine.
• Manage and maintain the wine cellar, ensuring proper storage, stock rotation, and inventory control.
• Collaborate with the Beverage Manager and Restaurant Management team to develop and enhance the wine programme.
• Train and mentor the service team on wine knowledge, pairing recommendations, and service standards.
• Drive beverage sales through confident upselling and personalized recommendations.
• Ensure all wine service is delivered in accordance with luxury hospitality standards.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Upselling

Wine service

Guest service

Communication

Team mentoring

Inventory control

Fluent English

Education

WSET Level 2

WSET Level 3

Job description

SUSHISAMBA is an internationally acclaimed lifestyle dining brand that brings together the vibrant cultures and cuisines of Japan, Brazil, and Peru to create a truly unique culinary experience. Renowned for its innovative cuisine, exceptional service, and energetic atmosphere, SUSHISAMBA delivers unforgettable dining experiences for guests from around the world.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Sommelier to join our award-winning team. If you have a strong background in luxury lifestyle dining, exceptional wine expertise, and a passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences, we would love to hear from you.

As a key member of our Front-of-House team, you will curate memorable wine experiences, drive beverage sales, and support the restaurant in delivering exceptional service to our international clientele.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional wine service while creating memorable dining experiences for every guest.
• Recommend wine, sake, and beverage pairings that complement SUSHISAMBA's Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisine.
• Manage and maintain the wine cellar, ensuring proper storage, stock rotation, and inventory control.
• Collaborate with the Beverage Manager and Restaurant Management team to develop and enhance the wine programme.
• Train and mentor, the service team on wine knowledge, pairing recommendations, and service standards.
• Drive beverage sales through confident upselling and personalized recommendations.
• Ensure all wine service is delivered in accordance with luxury hospitality standards.

Ideal Candidate

• Minimum 3-5 years' experience as a Sommelier or Senior Sommelier in a luxury lifestyle dining concept, premium restaurant, Michelin-starred venue, or five-star hotel.
• Previous international experience is highly preferred.
• WSET Level 2 or Level 3 certification (or equivalent sommelier qualification) is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Old World and New World wines, Champagne, premium spirits, sake, and food pairing.
• Experience managing an extensive wine list and working with premium international clientele.
• Proven ability to increase beverage revenue through effective recommendations and upselling.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent in English; additional languages e.g. Russian, Italian, Spanish are an advantage.