Senior Sommelier & Wine Program Director — Durban Lead

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Profit sharing potential

Medical aid and pension contributions

International wine study tours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Sommelier & Wine Program Director for a premier Durban fine dining restaurant and event venue. You will curate a world-class wine list, lead cellar operations, and train front-of-house teams to deliver exceptional wine experiences.

The role requires advanced sommelier certification, 7+ years in leadership, strong business acumen, and the ability to collaborate with producers and distributors to elevate KwaZulu-Natal’s wine narrative.

Qualifications

• Advanced sommelier certification from a recognized institution (e.g., CMS, WSET Level 4+).
• Minimum 7 years progressive sommelier experience, with leadership/directorship exposure.
• Extensive knowledge of viticulture, oenology and major wine regions worldwide.
• Proven ability in wine list development, purchasing, inventory control and cost management.
• Excellent communication, presentation and staff training skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, curate and manage a diverse wine list across global regions.
• Oversee wine purchasing, inventory, and cellar organization to optimize stock and quality.
• Conduct regular wine tastings and staff training on pairings, regions and service standards.
• Provide expert wine recommendations and personalized pairings to guests.
• Manage beverage budget to ensure profitability while maintaining program integrity.
• Build relationships with wine producers, distributors and suppliers.
• Organize wine dinners, tastings and educational seminars for guests.
• Ensure proper wine service techniques, including decanting and glassware selection.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff training

Wine knowledge

Business acumen

Education

Sommelier certification

7+ years sommelier experience

Tools

Cellar management software

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Sommelier & Wine Program Director for a premier Durban fine dining restaurant and event venue. You will curate a world-class wine list, lead cellar operations, and train front-of-house teams to deliver exceptional wine experiences.

The role requires advanced sommelier certification, 7+ years in leadership, strong business acumen, and the ability to collaborate with producers and distributors to elevate KwaZulu-Natal’s wine narrative.