Lead Sommelier & Wine Program Architect

Louka Beverly Hills; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Louka Beverly Hills is seeking a Sommelier to lead the Wine Program, manage wine lists, and elevate guest experiences with expert recommendations and seamless service.

The role requires promoting and growing the Wine Program, training team members in wine tasting and service, and ensuring proper storage, glassware, and inventory control across departments.

Qualifications

• Must have passion for wine and superior people skills.
• Ability to determine wine faults and maintain proper temperatures.
• Strong knowledge of wine pairings and pricing, budgeting, and cost controls.
• Experience with POS systems and wine program operations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Learn guests' names and address them by name.
• Order, receive, inventory, organize and sell wine for all departments.
• Oversee wine purchases and cost management.
• Oversee wine program duties, vendors, and wineries.
• Assist guests with wine recommendations and proper service.
• Develop a training program to elevate team knowledge of wine tasting and service.
• Train staff in wine service techniques including glassware and pour levels.
• Ensure wine is served in proper glassware and condition.
• Maintain wine lists and storage areas; reconcile inventory.
• Develop annual wine sales budget.

Skills

Wine knowledge

People skills

Wine pairing knowledge

Communication

Budgeting

POS system

Tools

POS system

Job description

Reports to:Dining Room/Restaurant Manager/ownership

Job Summary:The Sommelier position is responsible for the development and management of the Wine Program including the Wine List. The Sommelier must have a great personality and be able to communicate with members and guests that might share different levels of wine knowledge, and must be able to promote and grow the Wine Program.

Job Duties:

• Learn guests names and address them by name whenever possible.
• Responsible for ordering, receiving, inventory, organizing and selling wine for alldepartments.
• Oversee all wine purchases and cost management.
• Oversee the Wine program duties (introduction of new vendors, wineries, etc.)
• Assist members and guests during the dinner service with wine recommendations and selection for perfect pairing with their dinner, decanting of the wine and wine service.
• Develop a training program for all Team Members to improve their knowledge of wine tasting and wine service.
• Train Team Members in order to maximize their understanding of wine specific to their departments and proper service techniques including glassware, pour levels, storage, beverage pairings and the ability to understand guest preferences.
• Ensure that all wine is served in proper glassware and in proper condition.
• Maintain all beverage lists to be accurate, up to date and free of errors.
• Maintain all Wine Lockers, cellars, POS and storage areas of inventory, updated and reconciled with physical inventory.
• Responsible for developing an annual budget for wine sales for each fiscal year.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be passionate about wine Must possess superior people skills
• The ability to determine wine faults and maintain proper temperatures in order to showcase products at their maximum potential.
• A strong knowledge of food and beverage pairings. Solid understanding of pricing, budgets and cost controls.
• Operation and programming knowledge of a point of sales system.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills