Sommelier

Hotel Jerome; Westerly (RI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean House Management seeks an experienced Sommelier to elevate wine program across restaurant, private dining, and events. You will curate wine selections, educate guests, and maintain impeccable cellar standards while delivering Forbes-level service.

Ideal candidates have strong knowledge of global wine regions, fluency in English, and a proven ability to work in a high-end resort atmosphere. The role requires flexibility to support peak season operations and special events.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate has extensive wine knowledge, sales and service experience.
• Must be well organized, adaptable, personable, eager to learn and grow.
• Fluent English, strong communication and guest-relations skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide wine service for all F&B outlets with professional knowledge.
• Maintain and curate the wine cellar and inventory.
• Collaborate with Wine Director for events and private dining.
• Interact with guests, members and colleagues to enhance experiences.
• Train staff and assist in monthly inventories and tastings.
• Ensure compliance with Forbes 5-Star standards and policies.
• Describe menu items in detail and maintain service decorum.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Sales skills

Service excellence

Organizational skills

Education

College degree or equivalent

Tools

POS systems

Wine List software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Ocean House Management

Sommelier

A Collection Unlike Any Other

The Ocean House Collections includes 3 luxury properties. The Ocean House featuring 49 luxury guest rooms, 18 signature suites. The Cottage Collection includes 10 privately owned vacation homes. The Ocean & Harvest Spa is a 12,000 square foot Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star rated full-service health wellness spa. Over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Up to 8 unique dining options during summer season including Coast, a Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star rated fine dining experience.

The Weekapaug Inn offers quintessentially New England accommodations that effortlessly combine casual comfort and luxurious furnishings. The Inn features 31 unique guest rooms and 4 two-bedrooms signature suites. Farm-to-table dining utilizes the finest and freshest locally sourced ingredients, and inspired amenities and resort activities are designed to create extraordinary guest experiences.

The Watch Hill Inn established in 1845, Watch Hill Inn carries with it a unique history marked by fame, natural disasters and, among all, resilience. Chic, minimalist decor intertwines with cutting edge technology like complimentary Apple TV, Netflix and an in-room iPad program that allows guests to order food and services to their door with the touch of a button. The Inn features 21 suite style accommodations with unrestricted access to dining, amenities and resort activities at both Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn.

Scope of Position

Ocean House is seeking an experienced and passionate Sommelier to join our acclaimed food and beverage team. The ideal candidate possesses deep knowledge of fine wines, strong service instincts, and a genuine love for hospitality. This role will support our restaurant, private dining, and special events programs—elevating every guest experience through thoughtful wine curation and education.

Hourly Staff Schedule Requirements

All employees are kindly asked to understand that the property operation is 24 hours a day 7 days a week, inclusive of all holidays. While the company will make every attempt to create a work and life balance, all hourly paid team members may be asked to work extended shifts and additional days based on business demands. The busiest days during the season (Memorial Day through Columbus Day) are the weekend days from Friday thru Sunday and on holiday weekends that are celebrated on Mondays, this can include Mondays. All seasonal staff must be aware and able to work all weekends; requesting time off for a holiday weekend may not and will likely not be granted. The more flexible you are the more you can learn, grow, earn.

Reporting Relationship

Internal: The Sommelier reports to the Wine Director and Lead Sommelier

Key Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Constantly and consistently exhibit Ocean House core values and standards of behavior including adherence to the Forbes 5-Star standards
• Serves as the ambassador to the Ocean House wine program internally and externally.
• Service our guests with utmost professionalism and knowledge.
• Maintains the Ocean House’s wine cellar.
• Assists Wine Director in Resort related catered events.
• Liaise with all associates and managers to provide wine service in all aspects to our guests.
• Responsible for the organization, cleanliness, stocking (rotating of inventory) of all wine cellars and storerooms.
• Receives deliveries and confirms accuracy of invoices
• Keeping out of stock list up to date
• Provides all manner of wine service for all Food and Beverage outlets
• Sets wine station for service
• Assists Wine Director in monthly inventories
• Assists Wine Director in staff training and motivation
• Establishes and maintains relationships with guests, members and co-workers

Required Job Knowledge and Skills

• The ideal candidate will be experienced in all aspects of wine knowledge, sales and service.
• This person must be exceedingly well organized, able to adapt to various situations, personable, willing to learn and grow and enjoy the challenges of supporting a small resort delivering the highest caliber of service to its guests.
• Skilled in organizing resources and prioritizing.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently handle multiple, simultaneous, and complex tasks and projects
• Information research, analysis, and evaluation skills.
• Knowledge of POS, ordering, invoice systems
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse operation. Including Microsoft office and Wine List software.
• Knowledge of Classic and Modern wine regions from around the world.
• Expert people and sales skills
• Communicate effectively as a liaison between FOH and BOH to ensure guest experience is as enjoyable and effortless as possible
• Engage guests with a pleasant greeting and discreet name usage while performing duties
• Assisting in all dining areas with service of wine, beverages, food and service as a whole.
• All Forbes behavioral standards as they relate to Fine Dining and All Day Dining
• Able to describe with considerable detail all items on all menus
• Safe food handling practices must be followed
• Fluency in English both verbally and in writing
• Ability to perform job functions with attention to detail, speed and accuracy under pressure of tense/confrontational situations
• Uphold the Company standards, policies, and procedures
• Prioritize and organize tasks and work area
• Ability to remain calm and resolve problems using good judgement as interpreted by the management
• Follow directions
• Work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team
• Maintain confidentiality of guest/employee information and pertinent company data

Qualifications

• Introductory level certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET or equivalent association.

Physical Requirements:

See below Physical conditions description

Experience:

• Preferred minimum one year experience in fine dining service - Forbes four / five star or equivalent.

Education:

• College degree or equivalent work experience.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.