Wine Lead & Assistant Restaurant Manager

MAD Restaurants Group Enterpise; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent restaurant group in London's Soho is seeking a Wine Lead / Assistant Restaurant Manager. In this role, you will manage the wine program and ensure exceptional guest experiences while supporting the front-of-house team. Ideal candidates should have 3-5 years of management experience in a high-end restaurant and strong wine knowledge. Join us in creating extraordinary dining experiences!

Benefits

50% staff dining discount

Extra holidays after 2 years

Cycle-to-work scheme

Supplier trips & training

Referral bonus

Wellness and healthcare perks

Meals provided on shift

Opportunities for growth

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of management experience in a high-end restaurant environment.
• Experience overseeing small teams and delivering wine programs.
• Flexibility to respond to a variety of work situations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the restaurant’s wine and sake programme.
• Support front-of-house team in service delivery.
• Monitor wine inventory and conduct staff training.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to multitask

Job description

Join the MOI Team – Wine Lead / Assistant Restaurant Manager – £48,000+ per annum

MOI is an inventive fusion of Japanese flavours with a modern, elevated twist in the heart of Soho’s iconic Wardour Street. Led by Executive Chef Andy Cook, the kitchen embraces Japanese cuisine as a canvas, highlighting peak‑season ingredients and global influences to create dishes that are both complex and inviting.

Responsibilities

As the Wine Lead / Assistant Restaurant Manager you will combine your expertise in wine with strong leadership abilities to ensure exceptional guest experiences. In this dual role you will jointly oversee the restaurant’s wine and sake programme while supporting the front‑of‑house team in delivering smooth, efficient service. You will share your passion for wine through engaging briefings and wine training on and off the floor.

Staff Benefits & Rewards

• 50% staff dining discount across MOI, ALTA & DOMU
• Extra holidays, kicking in after 2 years in the company – 1 day holiday per year completed, up to 33 days max
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme, save on a new bike or Lime / Forest bike subscription
• Fantastic supplier trips & training
• Referral bonus – hourly staff £250, salaried staff £500
• Wellness, mental health, and healthcare perks
• Delicious meals provided on shift
• Opportunities for growth and professional development within an expanding restaurant group

What We Look For

• A passion for wine while delivering outstanding guest experiences
• A consummate hospitality professional with great wine knowledge and experience delivering wine programmes
• You are looking for a role that is exciting, interesting and provides a stepping point for a future move into senior management
• Experience overseeing small teams and ready for the next step up
• You thrive on organisation, structure and providing support and want to be more heavily involved in management
• A natural outgoing hospitality professional who loves interacting with people & sharing wine knowledge
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a high‑energy, fast‑paced environment
• Prior experience in a busy, high‑end restaurant or similar setting
• Ability to represent our restaurant with pride and professionalism
• Flexibility to respond to a variety of different work situations
• Approachable, reliable, enthusiastic, and a true supportive team player across all departments including kitchen and bar staff, ensuring smooth operations
• An appreciation of Japanese, Asian cuisine and culture is a plus, but not essential
• Ambassador of our brand through exceptional food and wine knowledge, genuine enthusiasm to share this with our guests, maintaining deep knowledge of the menu, including ingredients and preparation methods

Wine Programme Management

• Collaborate with the Beverage Manager to jointly curate and manage the restaurant’s wine, sake and agave spirits list, ensuring a diverse, balanced selection that complements the menu and aligns with the restaurant’s concept
• Source high‑quality wines from reputable suppliers, maintaining relationships to secure exclusive selections and competitive pricing
• Monitor wine inventory and oversee stock rotation, ordering and storage to minimise waste and maintain quality
• Conduct regular staff training on wine and sake knowledge, service and pairing recommendations to elevate team expertise
• Stay informed about industry trends, new wine regions and emerging producers to keep the wine list fresh and exciting

Restaurant Supervision

• Support the Restaurant Manager in overseeing daily operations, ensuring the seamless flow of service from front‑of‑house to the kitchen
• Supervise the front‑of‑house team during service, addressing challenges and maintaining high standards of efficiency and professionalism
• Assist in scheduling, training and mentoring front‑of‑house staff to build a motivated and knowledgeable team
• Conduct pre‑service briefings, communicating key information about the menu, wine list and special events to the team
• Step into the Restaurant Manager’s role when required, ensuring consistency in leadership and service delivery

Operational and Financial Management

• Monitor beverage sales and contribute to strategies to maximise revenue through upselling and thoughtful recommendations
• Track and analyse key performance metrics, such as wine sales, inventory turnover and guest feedback, to optimise the beverage programme and service operations
• Assist in managing the restaurant’s budgets, contributing to cost control and profitability targets
• Compliance and Standards
  • Ensure compliance with UK licensing laws and health and safety regulations in wine storage and service
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation and presentation in the wine storage and service areas
  • Set an example for the team by upholding the restaurant’s values, standards, and service ethos

Experience

• At least 3–5 years of management experience in a high‑end, fast‑paced restaurant environment
• Proven ability to manage daily operations while delivering outstanding results, ideally in central London or a similar market

Financial Management

• Manage budgets and control costs, including labour, food and beverage, to achieve financial targets
• Monitor and evaluate sales performance, developing strategies to maximise revenue and minimise waste
• Liaise with suppliers to ensure consistent quality and cost‑effective procurement of goods

Team Development

• Recruit, train and mentor team members to build a motivated and high‑performing team
• Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing feedback to encourage growth and accountability
• Champion diversity, equity and inclusion, creating a workplace where everyone feels valued

Guest Experience

• Deliver an exceptional guest experience by ensuring consistent, high‑quality service at every touchpoint
• Engage with guests to build strong relationships, resolve concerns promptly and incorporate feedback into service improvements
• Act as the face of the restaurant, representing the brand in the local community and at industry events

About MOI

MOI is setting the stage for a new wave of culinary excellence in London’s dynamic food scene. Named with a nod to Soho’s vibrant culture, MOI – literally translated as “a bowl” – presents a Neo‑Japanese dining experience in a relaxed, stylish space where guests can savour the atmosphere as much as the food.

Be part of something extraordinary – Apply now!

Links

https://moirestaurant.com

https://www.instagram.com/moi.soho/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/moi-restaurant

https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2025/05/15/artem-login-founds-mad-restaurants-with-soho-venues-moi-and-alta/

MOI is part of MAD Restaurants Group, where we celebrate the differences within our team, believing they enrich the culture and character of our restaurants. Our goal is to foster an inclusive environment—embracing all ages, genders, identities, races, sexual orientations and ethnicities—where everyone feels welcome, no matter their background.