Events & Hospitality Manager

Tasting & Tap Room Expo; Lowden (WA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Vacation

Wine Allocation & Discounts

Gratuity & Commissions

Job summary

Woodward Canyon Winery is seeking an Events & Hospitality Manager to lead onsite and offsite events, manage daily tasting room operations, and grow direct-to-consumer sales while representing the brand. The role partners with the Director of Operations and requires 3+ years in hospitality or winery management, with a full-time hourly position and incentives in the Walla Walla Valley.

Responsibilities include event strategy, guest experience, staff training, POS management, wine knowledge, and

Qualifications

• 3+ years in retail, winery, or hospitality management.
• Bachelor’s degree or wine-related certification preferred.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Deep knowledge of the Walla Walla Valley wine region.

Responsibilities

• Lead onsite and offsite events from strategy to post-event analysis.
• Manage daily tasting room operations and guest interactions.
• Recruit, train, and mentor tasting room and events staff.
• Coordinate inventory, staffing, and event budgeting across departments.
• Ensure adherence to SOPs, policies, and customer service standards.

Skills

Event planning

Staff management

Wine knowledge

POS systems

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

OrderPort POS

Tock

RedChirp

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Woodward Canyon Winery is seeking an Events & Hospitality Manager.

Position Summary:

The Events & Hospitality Manager is responsible for delivering exceptional guest experiences while strategically driving direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales and brand engagement through daily tasting room management and high-impact winery events. This role serves as a key ambassador for Woodward Canyon Winery, responsible for growing our business by cultivating new customer relationships, engaging long-term wine club members, and leading end-to-end event strategy and execution. Note: The responsibilities and duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the core functions outlined below.

ROLE REPORTS TO: Director of Operations

POSITION TYPE: Full-Time / Hourly + Incentives

COMPENSATION: $26.00 – $29.00 / hour (DOE) + Gratuity & Commissions

LOCATION: Walla Walla Valley, WA

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Events & Event Strategy

• Event Leadership: Serve as the primary lead for all onsite and offsite events, overseeing strategy, planning, execution, and post-event analysis to maximize guest experience and sales growth.


• Experience Curation: Conceptualize, schedule, and host unique, high-touch winery experiences, private cellar tastings, wine release events, club gatherings, and trade visits.


• Logistics & Operations: Coordinate all event logistics, including vendor management, catering, equipment/decor rentals, floor plans, and staffing schedules.


• Promotions & Marketing: Collaborate on event marketing and promotion, aligning with digital campaigns, social media, and promotional materials to ensure strong attendance.


• Guest Management: Manage group reservations, custom event packages, fee structures, and event-related guest communications.


• Brand Representation: Represent Woodward Canyon Winery at local, regional, and industry pouring events.


• Financial Tracking: Track and manage event budgets, guest counts, and revenue streams to evaluate event ROI and performance.

Daily Tasting Room & Hospitality Operations

• Operations Management: Lead daily operations of the tasting room, maintaining a professional, welcoming environment that reflects Woodward Canyon brand standards.


• Guest Engagement: Pour and sell wine while engaging guests with detailed knowledge of Woodward Canyon Winery, our Estate Vineyards, and sustainable farming practices.


• POS & Systems: Manage point-of-sale (POS) systems, daily register audits, inventory reconciliations, and sales reporting.


• Menu & Product Curation: Curate tasting menus and price lists based on stock levels, new wine releases, and feature promotions.


• Inventory & Merchandise: Oversee merchandise purchasing, stock audits, corporate gifting, and business account management.


• SOPs & Policies: Maintain, update, and enforce all tasting room operational procedures and opening/closing checklists.


• Concierge Service: Act as a local concierge, providing guest recommendations for lodging, dining, and activities across the Walla Walla Valley.

Team Leadership & Administration

• Staffing & Development: Determine staffing requirements; recruit, hire, train, schedule, and mentor tasting room and event staff.


• Education & Training: Develop staff enrichment programs to foster deep product knowledge, consultative sales techniques, and team cohesion.


• Team Culture: Cultivate a positive, collaborative team environment built on clear communication of brand values, sales goals, and business objectives.


• Customer Service: Address guest inquiries, feedback, or issues via phone and email in a timely, professional manner.

Cross-Functional & Operational Collaboration

• Inventory & Allocations: Report directly to the Director of Operations to monitor inventory, establish tasting room allocation needs based on sales forecasts, and coordinate with winemaking/production through the Director.


• Club Program Integration: Align with the Director of Operations on wine club initiatives to ensure tasting room staff are properly trained on member benefits, special offers, and enrollment targets.


• Strategic Planning & Budgeting: Partner directly with the Director of Operations to develop annual DTC budgets, establish short- and long-term sales priorities, and execute business growth strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Experience: 3+ years of retail, winery, or hospitality management experience with a proven track record in event planning, production, and execution.


• Education: Bachelor’s degree or wine-related certification preferred.


• Leadership: Demonstrated supervisory experience with the ability to inspire, train, and manage hospitality teams.


• Industry Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of winemaking ("vine to wine") and deep familiarity with the Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, and Washington State wine regions.


• Technical Skills: Proficient in winery software and tech platforms, including POS systems (OrderPort), reservation software (Tock), and text-messaging platforms (RedChirp); Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace proficiency required. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and social media platforms is a plus.


• Communication: Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with a consultative approach to sales.


• Organization: High attention to detail, exceptional multi-tasking and project management skills, and strong problem-solving agility.

Licensing & Requirements:

• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid MAST Permit and Food Handlers Card.


• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. regularly.


• Schedule Availability: Regular weekend availability required (Saturday and Sunday), along with periodic evening hours for special events.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Competitive Benefits Package includes: Medical Insurance, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Gratuity, Club Sign-up Commissions, and Employee Wine Allocation & Discounts.