Head Sommelier

ROKA Restaurant; Manama; On-site; BHD 20,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

World-Class training

Global opportunities

Family meals

Rewards & Recognition

Staff discount

Job summary

ROKA is seeking a Head Sommelier to lead our wine program and elevate guest experiences in a luxury, high-volume setting.

Responsibilities include training the team, driving sales, and managing wine inventory and supplier relations. The ideal candidate loves Japanese cuisine and excels at creating memorable dining moments, with a friendly, guest-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Sommelier in a luxury high-volume restaurant or similar.
• Love for culinary experiences and passion for Japanese cuisine.
• Natural team player who works well with a large team.
• Friendly, customer-oriented and skilled at creating memorable dining experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the wine program and uphold ROKA's wine and sake ethos.
• Train the team on product knowledge, service standards and sales skills.
• Drive sales, enhance guest experiences and build a loyal clientele.
• Oversee wine inventory, collaborate with suppliers and expand the selection.
• Assist guests in wine selections that complement meals and preferences.
• Present and serve wine, including opening bottles and explaining food pairings.
• Track wine stock levels, restock the cellar and ensure proper storage.

Skills

Wine program leadership

Team training

Sales & guest experience

Inventory management

Supplier management

Wine service

Stock tracking

Job description

As a ROKA Head Sommelier, you'll be at the heart of our guest experience. You'll create memorable moments, embody our vibrant restaurant energy, and play a crucial role in maintaining the high standards that define the ROKA experience.

ROKA is a collection of contemporary Japanese Robatayaki restaurants. First launched in 2004 in London, our collection has grown to include five venues in the Middle East in Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Bahrain & Kuwait. ROKA embodies the spirit of coming together and sharing a collective dining experience, (RO) symbolises the atmosphere and (KA), the heat of fire from the Robata. Roka is proud to be part of the Azumi collection.

Life at ROKA

At ROKA, we're more than a restaurant – we're a vibrant community fuelled by the energy that flows from our Robata grills, guided by our core values:

Honor the Mastery - we celebrate every detail, always striving for perfection – putting pride in everything we do

Do Unto Others - we support each other to be at our best, treating every team member and guest with warmth and openness

Embrace the Energy - we bring passion and positivity to everything we do

Main Duties

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Wine Program Leadership: Uphold ROKA's wine and sake ethos and ensure its excellence is reflected in the venue
• Team Training & Development: Train the team on product knowledge, service standards, and sales skills
• Sales & Guest Experience: Drive sales, enhance guest experiences, and build a loyal clientele
• Inventory & Supplier Management: Oversee wine and sake inventory, collaborate with suppliers, and expand the selection.
• Assist guests in selecting wines that complement their meals, considering their preferences and the restaurant's offerings
• Present and serve wine, including opening bottles, decanting when necessary, and explaining food pairings
• Support in tracking wine stock levels, restocking the cellar, and ensuring proper storage conditions
• To consistently strive for quality of service and consistency in our experience to our guests

What We Look For

Our ideal candidate embodies our values and the following:

• A genuine love for culinary experiences & a passion for Japanese cuisine
• Proven experience a Head Sommelier in a luxury high-volume restaurant or similar
• A natural team player who is at home working in sync with a large team
• Naturally friendly, customer-oriented, and skilled at creating memorable dining experiences

Benefits

We offer incredible career growth, international opportunities, and the chance to contribute to a world-renowned brand, where every detail from the finest ingredients to our unrivalled atmosphere is crafted to perfection.

As part of our team, you’ll enjoy:

• World-Class training,designed to inspire and educate
• Global opportunities, experience hospitality around the globe with our five incredible brands
• Family Mealsare shared daily
• Rewards & Recognition,we value our team and celebrate your contributions to our success with meaningful rewards and recognition
• Staff discount,enjoy exclusive discounts across the Azumi group, worldwide!

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applicants. If you require any assistance to make the recruitment process more accessible, please let one of our Talent Acquisition team know.

Ready to create some magic?

Join us and bring your talent to a team that’s elevating contemporary dining on a global stage.

Compensation: Competitive salary