Manager, SWC Tasting Room

Tasting Room Expo; Arizona; On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College is seeking a supervisory administrator to lead tasting room operations, staff, and hospitality programs. You will coordinate events, support retail sales, and ensure exemplary guest service while aligning with the center's educational mission.

The role requires 3 years in hospitality or related fields and 1 year of supervision, with flexibility for evenings and special events. Arizona liquor compliance and certifications are preferred.

Qualifications

• Three years of progressively responsible experience in hospitality, retail management, winery operations, event management, or related customer service.
• One year of supervisory or lead experience directing employees or work teams.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate part-time tasting room staff and student employees; coordinate staffing and coverage for activities and events; serve as on-site supervisor during operations and events.
• Oversee daily tasting room operations to ensure exceptional customer service, efficiency, and compliance with policies and liquor regulations; develop hospitality standards and procedures; maintain appearance, safety, and merchandising standards.
• Coordinate and manage public and private events, including scheduling, logistics, staffing, vendor coordination, and execution; collaborate with internal departments and partners for programming.
• Monitor retail sales, tasting room activity, and guest engagement; develop strategies to increase revenue and improve customer experience; implement operational improvements.
• Promote wine club membership through staff training and guest education; plan releases, member events, and campaigns to grow loyalty.
• Administer POS, daily reconciliation, cash handling, deposits, and reporting; oversee inventory for wine, merchandise, and supplies; prepare sales and operations reports.
• Assist with promotional activities, wine releases, and community outreach; operate forklifts and equipment as required; perform other duties.

Skills

Staff supervision

Customer service

Event coordination

Hospitality operations

Cash handling

Inventory management

POS systems

Communication

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Job description

Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College

Performs advanced supervisory and administrative work requiring independent judgment in managing thedaily operations of the Southwest Wine Center Tasting Room. Responsible for leading tasting roomoperations, supervising staff, coordinating hospitality programs and events, supporting retail salesinitiatives, and ensuring exceptional customer service while advancing the educational and communitymission of the Southwest Wine Center. Exercises considerable discretion in operational decision-making,staff supervision, event coordination, and guest relations under general administrative direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate part-time tasting room staff and student employees; coordinate staffing assignments and operational coverage for tasting room activities, special events, and off‑site functions; and serve as the on‑site supervisor during tasting room operations and events, exercising independent judgment to resolve operational and customer service issues.
• Oversee daily tasting room operations to ensure exceptional customer service, operational efficiency, and compliance with college policies and Arizona liquor regulations; develop and implement hospitality standards, service procedures, and operating practices that promote a consistent guest experience; and ensure the physical appearance, cleanliness, safety, and merchandising standards of the tasting room and surrounding hospitality spaces.
• Coordinate and manage public and private events held within the Southwest Wine Center, including scheduling, logistics, staffing, vendor coordination, and event execution; collaborate with internal departments, community partners, and outside organizations to facilitate successful programming and special events; and coordinate reservations, group tastings, educational tours, and hospitality experiences.
• Monitor retail sales performance, tasting room activity, and guest engagement while identifying opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and customer experience; develop and implement strategies to increase tasting room revenue, wine sales, and guest engagement; and recommend operational improvements that enhance efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall program effectiveness.
• Promote wine club membership through staff training, guest education, and hospitality initiatives; monitor wine club enrollment, retention, and membership activity while recommending strategies to improve long‑term member participation; maintain wine club membership records and assist with member engagement initiatives and customer communications; and assist with planning wine releases, member‑exclusive events, and promotional campaigns designed to increase customer loyalty and repeat visitation.
• Administer point-of-sale systems, daily financial reconciliation, cash handling procedures, deposits, and operational reporting; oversee inventory management for wine, retail merchandise, tasting supplies, and operational materials, including purchasing and replenishment as necessary; and prepare reports related to sales activity, inventory, event participation, and operational performance.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of promotional activities, wine releases, community outreach, and marketing initiatives in collaboration with college staff; safely operate forklifts and other equipment as required in support of tasting room and winery operations; and perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Expectations & Requirements

Education

• Associate's degree in Hospitality, Business, Marketing, Viticulture and Enology, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in hospitality, retail management, winery operations, event management, or a related customer service environment.
• One (1) year of supervisory or lead experience directing employees or work teams.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple priorities while exercising independent judgment.
• Strong customer service, interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience using point-of-sale systems and inventory management software.
• Ability to analyze operational needs and implement process improvements.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Regular attendance is an essential job function as it demonstrates dependability toward the performance of assigned duties.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Arizona Title 4 Liquor Certification, or ability to obtain.
• Yavapai County Food Handler/Manager Certification, or ability to obtain.
• Forklift Certification, or ability to obtain.
• Requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Preferred Skills & Abilities

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Viticulture & Enology, or related field.

Experience

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in hospitality, retail management, winery operations, event management, or a related customer service environment.
• Two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience directing employees or work teams.
• Supervisory experience within a winery, tasting room, hospitality venue, restaurant, or retail environment.
• Experience planning and managing public events and private functions.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of wine production, wine sales, wine education, and wine club operations.
• Experience using winery management software, reservation platforms, and retail analytics.
• Experience working in higher education, nonprofit, or public‑sector environments.