Tasting Room Manager

Shale Ridge Estate Winery & Cidery; Thedford; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading winery is seeking a Tasting Room Manager to oversee daily operations, enhance guest experiences, and lead a high-performing team. This role requires strong leadership, sales skills, and experience in the wine or cider industry. The successful candidate will manage inventory, promote sales, and ensure operational efficiency while fostering a positive team culture.

Benefits

Health Benefits

Wine and Cider Perks

Staff Discounts

Team Events

Potential for Career Advancement

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a hospitality or tasting room leadership role (wine/cider industry preferred).
• Strong sales acumen and comfort setting and reaching revenue goals.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead front-line staff and manage guest concerns.
• Promote retail and drive sales through coaching.
• Manage inventory and vendor relationships.

Skills

Sales Acumen

Leadership

Communication

Organizational Skills

Tech-Savvy

Tools

Shopify

POS Systems

Slack

Inventory Software

Job description

Objective:

To lead the day-to-day front-of-house operations of Shale Ridge’s Tasting Room with excellence in guest experience, team leadership, and inventory oversight. This role requires strong sales skills, a passion for hospitality, and preferably industry experience in wine, cider, or premium food and beverage environments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Team Management

• Serve as the primary leader in the Tasting Room, supporting the General Manager and stepping in during their absence.

• Lead front-line staff by setting a strong example in professionalism, salesmanship, and service standards.

• Handle real-time guest concerns, ensuring any issues are resolved with care and efficiency.

• Support hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training of staff.

• Send weekly communications via Slack to keep the team informed (especially during peak season).

• Encourage a positive, high-performing team culture through coaching, recognition, and accountability.

2. Sales Focus & Guest Experience

• Promote and drive retail, wine/cider club signups, and upsells by coaching staff and leading by example.

• Track and analyze key sales performance indicators and support the team in reaching set targets.

• Work collaboratively to implement sales campaigns or specials and ensure the team is aligned.

• Provide staff with tools, scripts, and incentives to maximize guest spend and satisfaction.

3. Inventory & Vendor Management

• Manage and optimize vendor relationships and order supplies (using platforms like Amazon and preferred vendors).

• Maintain accurate and organized inventory systems for food, beverage, cleaning, and retail supplies.

• Oversee cost of goods sold (COGS) reporting and work closely with leadership to ensure profitability.

• Monitor ingredient and product quality; log and follow up on any discrepancies.

• Use Shopify and eventually Commerce7 to adjust inventory and manage digital tracking systems.

4. Menu, Product & Operational Support

• Collaborate with ownership and GM on menu updates and product selection.

• Source specialty items as needed for seasonal launches or limited offerings.

• Monitor service flow and ensure the tasting room and kitchen operate smoothly during high-volume times.

• Lead the team in using Jolt checklists and TouchBistro to maintain service and cleanliness standards.

• Maintain accurate digital menus, staff profiles, and table configurations in TouchBistro.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a hospitality or tasting room leadership role (wine/cider industry preferred)

• Strong sales acumen and comfort setting and reaching revenue goals

• Excellent communication and leadership skills

• Organized, solution-oriented, and calm under pressure

• Tech-savvy with experience using platforms like Shopify, POS systems, Slack, and inventory software

Compensation

• Base Salary Range:– $50,000 annually (depending on experience and qualifications)

• Commission Structure: Based on monthly retail and club membership performance

• KPI Bonus Opportunities: For meeting or exceeding targets related to sales, team development, and operational efficiency

• Perks: Health Benefits, wine and cider perks, staff discounts, team events, and potential for career advancement