Head Sommelier

JRM Hospitality; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meals

Employee benefits

Job summary

JRM Hospitality in Sydney is seeking an experienced Head Sommelier to take ownership of the wine program within a premium Sydney venue. This role blends wine knowledge, service, education, cellar management and guest engagement, working with the senior F&B leadership and culinary teams to elevate the wine offering.

You will lead wine training and mentoring, build staff confidence in regions, vintages and premium offerings, curate the wine list, manage stock, and host events.

Qualifications

• Previous Sommelier experience within a premium restaurant, hotel or high-end hospitality environment.
• WSET Level 3 minimum, CMS Advanced or equivalent recognised wine qualification.
• Strong knowledge of Australian and international wines, regions, producers and vintages.
• Demonstrated experience curating wine lists and managing cellar inventory.
• Strong food and wine pairing knowledge.
• Experience delivering wine training and mentoring to F&B teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence engaging with discerning guests and senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing supplier relationships.
• Strong systems knowledge across POS and restaurant management platforms.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and continued professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide knowledgeable and approachable wine recommendations and food pairings.
• Develop and deliver regular wine training and mentoring across the F&B team.
• Build team confidence around wine styles, regions, producers, vintages and premium offerings.
• Work closely with culinary and F&B leadership on food and wine pairings.
• Support team leaders and supervisors during service.
• Curating and maintaining wine lists, including new listings and vintage changes.
• Managing wine stock, ordering, inventory and cellar controls.
• Ensuring beverage information and pricing is accurately maintained within the POS.
• Developing and maintaining strong supplier and distributor relationships.
• Identifying new releases, allocations, vintages and special purchasing opportunities.
• Hosting wine dinners, tastings, producer events and other beverage activations.
• Supporting beverage menus and wine pairings across functions and events.
• Staying across industry trends and bringing new ideas into the wine program.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Communication skills

Mentoring / training

Supplier relationship management

POS systems knowledge

Education

WSET Level 3 minimum, CMS Advanced or equivalent

Job description

Premium Hospitality Venue | Sydney

Tuesday-Saturday | Circa $100k + Super + Flexibility

An excellent opportunity has become available for an experienced and passionate Head Sommelier to take ownership of the wine offering within a premium Sydney multi faceted venue.

This is a role for someone who enjoys combining wine knowledge, service, education, cellar management and guest engagement. The successful candidate will work closely with the senior food and beverage leadership team and culinary department to continue developing a high-quality wine program while ensuring the wider team has the knowledge and confidence to deliver it effectively.

A major focus of the position will be wine education and mentoring. You will help build the team's understanding of the wine list, giving them the tools to confidently discuss core selections, recommend pairings and introduce guests to more premium and higher-tier offerings.

The role operates predominantly Tuesday to Saturday, with a combination of training, administration and service shifts. Flexibility around the roster may be available for the right candidate.

The Role

You will take responsibility for the day-to-day management and continued development of the wine program, while maintaining a strong presence across service.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing knowledgeable and approachable wine recommendations and food pairings.
• Developing and delivering regular wine training and mentoring across the F&B team.
• Building team confidence around wine styles, regions, producers, vintages and premium offerings.
• Working closely with culinary and F&B leadership on food and wine pairings.
• Supporting team leaders and supervisors during service.
• Curating and maintaining wine lists, including new listings and vintage changes.
• Managing wine stock, ordering, inventory and cellar controls.
• Ensuring beverage information and pricing is accurately maintained within the POS.
• Developing and maintaining strong supplier and distributor relationships.
• Identifying new releases, allocations, vintages and special purchasing opportunities.
• Hosting wine dinners, tastings, producer events and other beverage activations.
• Supporting beverage menus and wine pairings across functions and events.
• Staying across industry trends and bringing new ideas into the wine program.

About You

You will be an accomplished Head Sommelier who combines strong technical wine knowledge with the ability to communicate that knowledge in an engaging and approachable way.

Importantly, you will enjoy developing others and be equally comfortable educating junior team members, engaging with experienced hospitality professionals and speaking with knowledgeable guests.

You will bring:

• Previous Sommelier experience within a premium restaurant, hotel or high-end hospitality environment.
• WSET Level 3 minimum, CMS Advanced or equivalent recognised wine qualification.
• Strong knowledge of Australian and international wines, regions, producers and vintages.
• Demonstrated experience curating wine lists and managing cellar inventory.
• Strong food and wine pairing knowledge.
• Experience delivering wine training and mentoring to F&B teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence engaging with discerning guests and senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing supplier relationships.
• Strong systems knowledge across POS and restaurant management platforms.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and continued professional development.

What's On Offer

• Competitive salary of circa $100k + super, with flexibility for the right candidate.
• Predominantly Tuesday-Saturday working week.
• Opportunity to take genuine ownership of an established wine program.
• Scope to influence wine selection, training, events and future direction.
• Strong internal support from experienced F&B and culinary leadership.
• Staff meals and additional employee benefits.
• Opportunity to work with premium wines, suppliers and producers.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Sommelier looking to step into a broader, more influential position where they can combine service with education, development and ownership of the overall wine experience.

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