SOMMELIER

Collins King & Associates; St Albans; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hotel benefits

Job summary

Collins King & Associates is partnering with a newly awarded 5-star luxury hotel in Hertfordshire to recruit a skilled Sommelier who will own and develop the wine offering across two restaurants, bars and events.

Initially a standalone role working with F&B, restaurant, events and culinary teams, the position offers potential for growth as the wine programme expands. This is a high-profile opportunity in a premium hospitality setting.

Qualifications

• This role requires proven sommelier experience in luxury settings.
• Strong wine knowledge and guest service focus.
• Ability to manage purchasing, stock and margins.

Responsibilities

• Lead wine service across the hotel’s restaurants and wider F&B operation.
• Provide knowledgeable recommendations to guests.
• Develop and maintain wine lists aligned with the hotel’s 5-star positioning.
• Collaborate with chefs on wine pairings and menus.
• Assist in wine events, weddings, and banquets.
• Manage stock, ordering, cellar organization, and controls.
• Build relationships with suppliers and source new wines.
• Support tastings and wine dinners.
• Train the wider F&B team on wine knowledge and service.
• Bring innovative ideas to develop the wine programme.

Skills

Sommelier experience

Wine knowledge

Stock management

Purchasing

Hospitality mindset

Wine qualification

Education

Wine qualification (WSET/CMS)

Job description

We are looking for a Sommelier to join a newly awarded 5-star luxury hotel in Hertfordshire.

This is a newly created role and a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Sommelier to take ownership of the hotel’s wine offering and help shape its future direction.

The hotel has two restaurants, alongside bars, private dining and a busy events, weddings and banqueting operation, giving the Sommelier exposure across the wider F&B business rather than being limited to one restaurant.

Initially, this will be a standalone Sommelier position, working closely with the F&B, restaurant, events and culinary teams. As the wine programme develops, there is potential for the role and team to grow further.

The Role

The Sommelier will play an important part in developing the wine offering across the hotel, including:

• Leading wine service across the hotel’s restaurants and wider F&B operation
• Providing knowledgeable and engaging recommendations to guests
• Developing and maintaining wine lists in keeping with the hotel’s 5-star positioning
• Working closely with the chefs on wine pairings and menu development
• Supporting the selection and purchasing of wines for events, weddings, private dining and banqueting
• Managing wine stock, ordering, cellar organisation and controls
• Building strong relationships with suppliers and identifying new wines and producersSupporting tastings, wine dinners and other guest experiences
• Training and developing the wider F&B team on wine knowledge and service
• Bringing new ideas to continually develop the hotel’s wine programme

The Ideal Candidate

We Are Looking For Someone Who

• Has previous Sommelier experience within a luxury hotel, quality restaurant or fine-dining environment
• Has excellent wine knowledge and a genuine passion for hospitality
• Is comfortable working independently and taking ownership of the wine function
• Has an understanding of purchasing, stock management, margins and commercial performance
• Is confident working across different areas of a hotel, from restaurant service to events and banqueting
• Has a warm, engaging approach with guests
• Is excited by the opportunity to build and develop a wine programme from the ground up
• Holds a recognised wine qualification such as WSET, CMS or equivalent

This is a particularly exciting time to join the hotel following its recent 5-star accreditation. For the right person, there is a real opportunity to make the position their own and, as the wine offering grows, potentially develop a larger sommelier function and team in the future.

Competitive salary + excellent hotel benefits.