Head Sommelier

Kinora Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meals

Dining discounts

WSET training support

Job summary

Kinora Group seeks a Head Sommelier for a prestigious London restaurant to lead the wine programme and elevate guest experience. You will own the cellar, curate a world‑class wine list, and mentor a talented sommelier team in a high‑end dining setting.

Responsibilities include developing the wine list, managing procurement and stock, hosting tastings, and maintaining vendor relationships while ensuring cost control and exemplary guest service. London-based, on-site role.

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Curate, develop, and continually evolve the wine list to reflect the concept, cuisine, and guest expectations.
• Manage the wine cellar, including procurement, stock control, storage conditions, and supplier relationships.
• Lead, train, and mentor the sommelier and front-of-house wine service team.
• Deliver exceptional tableside service, including wine recommendations and food pairings.
• Host wine tastings and staff training sessions to build team knowledge and confidence.
• Monitor wine costs, margins, and inventory to support commercial targets.
• Build and maintain relationships with growers, importers, and distributors.
• Stay current on wine trends, regions, and emerging producers.
• Ensure compliance with licensing, health & safety, and stock management standards.

Skills

Leadership

Wine knowledge

Guest-facing communication

Budgeting & margins

Supplier negotiations

Hospitality passion

Education

WSET Level 3 or CMS qualification

Job description

We are recruiting a Head Sommelier on behalf of our client, a highly regarded restaurant in London, to lead their wine programme and elevate the guest experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven wine professional to take ownership of a cellar, build a world-class wine list, and mentor a team of sommeliers within a prestigious dining environment.

Responsibilities

• Curate, develop, and continually evolve the wine list to reflect our client's concept, cuisine, and guest expectations
• Manage the wine cellar, including procurement, stock control, storage conditions, and supplier relationships
• Lead, train, and mentor the sommelier and front-of-house wine service team
• Deliver exceptional tableside service, including wine recommendations and food pairings
• Host wine tastings and staff training sessions to build team knowledge and confidence
• Monitor wine costs, margins, and inventory to support commercial targets
• Build and maintain relationships with growers, importers, and distributors
• Stay current on wine trends, regions, and emerging producers
• Ensure compliance with licensing, health & safety, and stock management standards

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK

Required Skills

• Proven experience as a Head Sommelier or Senior/Assistant Head Sommelier in a high-end restaurant
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Excellent palate, wine knowledge, and confident guest-facing communication
• Commercial acumen — comfortable managing budgets, margins, and supplier negotiations
• A genuine passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences

Preferred Skills

• WSET Level 3 (or higher) or Court of Master Sommeliers qualification preferred

Pay range and compensation package

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• Staff meals and generous dining discounts
• Ongoing training and professional development (WSET support, supplier trips, tastings)
• Career progression within an acclaimed restaurant

Equal Opportunity Statement

Our client is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.