Captain/Sommelier - Bar Sprezzatura

Makeready; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k)

PTO & PTO exchange

Parental leave

Pet insurance

Job summary

Makeready’s Bar Sprezzatura seeks a Captain/Sommelier to lead our wine program and educate the service team in a high-volume fine dining setting. You will guide staff development, manage wine inventory, and elevate guest experiences with expert recommendations.

You will mentor colleagues, partner with kitchen and service teams, and ensure impeccable service during lunch, aperitivo, and dinner service at Bar Sprezzatura in Portland.

Qualifications

• 3–4 years in fine dining/high-volume restaurants
• CMS Level 1 certification or equivalent
• Strong wine knowledge and service excellence
• Experience with inventory management
• Proficient with MS Office
• Understanding state/local alcohol laws

Responsibilities

• Lead wine program and guest education
• Mentor service team and drive staff development
• Manage inventory and purchasing
• Assist with tableside service and wine recommendations
• Ensure consistent guest experience in a high-volume setting

Skills

Exceptional communication

CMS Level 1 cert

Microsoft Office

Math and POS

Team leadership

Alcohol regulations

Lift 40 lbs

Stand/walk long periods

Tools

POS system

Job description

Inspired by the casual elegance of Italy, Bar Sprezzatura is a unique escape into Italian culture and cuisine. Located in the historic Heathman Hotel, Bar Sprezzatura is a bustling lunch spot by day and aperitivo and cicchetti bar at night. Whether enjoying a bustling meal, an aperitivo, or savory snacks, guests are transported to a world where timeless traditions meet the vibrant, sun-kissed charm of coastal Italy.

About the Role:

The Captain/Sommelier at Bar Sprezzatura is a passionate and professional beverage expert and Service leader who leads our wine program while educating and inspiring guests and mentoring the service team. You’ll guide staff education, manage inventory, Assist with Tableside service make expert wine recommendations, and elevate the dining experience with your deep knowledge and attention to detail. This role requires teamwork, adaptability under pressure, and a commitment to staff development in a high-volume fine dining environment.

Our Ideal candidate is:

A motivated beverage and service professional who is organized, passionate, and professional. You will be a leading part of our team with a passion for educating and enthralling your guests and motivating and mentoring the service team. You have amazing attention to detail and an expansive knowledge of wine. You work well as part of a team, work well under pressure, and have experience in inventory management. You have a strong desire to learn and take a leading role in staff education and development.

What you bring to the table:

• 3-4 years’ experience in a fine dining or casual fine dining high volume restaurant, with at least 3 years dining room experience
• Exceptional communication skills
• Expansive food and wine knowledge with a CMS Level 1 certification or another service-based certification
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent basic math skills and ability to operate a service POS
• Intellectual curiosity and motivation to progress in a fine dining environment
• Knowledge of state and local regulations around serving and selling alcohol
• Ability to work clean, organized, and as part of a team
• Ability to move and lift 40 pounds at a time
• At least 21 years of age
• Must be able to stand and walk for an extended period of time

As part of the Makeready collection, we proudly offer a variety of thoughtful benefits and perks for eligible team members including accommodating PTO/PTO exchange, medical/dental/vision benefits, maternity/paternity leave, pet insurance, company-matched dependent care & 401k, student loan repayment program and a wide range of additional ancillary benefits. The health, happiness and well-being of our team is our top priority. We take pride in our Guiding Principles to help define how we successfully work together. We follow them not out of duty but live by them instinctively.

Makeready LLC and its affiliated entities are proud to encourage and support an environment where everyone can be a successful team member as their true independent self. We are an equal opportunity workplace and employer that does not discriminate based on race, color, disability, gender/sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. We are committed to building a team and a workplace where we are all able to be successful based solely on our individual qualifications, experience, abilities and job performance.