Lead Tasting Room Associate (Sonoma, CA)

SUMMARY
The Lead Tasting Room Associate is responsible for providing the front-line guest experience as well as supervising, training, and motivating the Tasting Room Staff. The Lead Tasting Room Associate provides the best possible experience for all Tasting Room guests by developing relationships that promote sales and brand loyalty. This position is the champion of customer service in creating the perfect balance of education and memorable experiences.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In-depth knowledge and ability of brand, product, winemaking, POS, reservation systems, and hospitality programs.
• Supervise, and train Tasting Room staff on procedures, brand, product, and systems. 
• Lead, develop, and train the Tasting team to achieve goals and build customer loyalty.
• Ensure that all Tasting Room staff follows responsible hospitality standards at all times.
• Communicate effectively news, updates, and procedure changes to the team.
• Nurture an atmosphere of teamwork and enthusiastic employee relations. 
• Carry out duties associated with opening and closing of the Tasting Room.
• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and situations and to maintain discretion and confidentiality.
• Set up and host wine tastings and tours for guests
• Effectively resolves customer or staff conflict directly and knows how and when to escalate to the Tasting Room Manager.
• Ability to assist customers with questions on experiences, wine orders, and shipments, and ask for assistance from other departments when needed.
• Ability to cross-sell and promote The Olive Press and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards.
• Be informed on local hospitality offerings and make recommendations to guests.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal communication skills, and presentation skills.
• Work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.
• Be comfortable addressing and hosting large groups and helping multiple groups.
• Be able to help multiple groups while behind the bar
• Maintain the Tasting Room including cleanliness, organization, inventory, and supplies.
• Must be able to work indoors or outdoors in various tasting locations and conduct tours.
• Assist in the coordination and execution of events, club parties, and offsite tastings.
• Passionate about wine and desire to become knowledgeable about our wines and our sustainable farming practices.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills?

• Exemplary customer service skills.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Prior hospitality, winery, or front-of-house restaurant experience.
• Ability to manage constantly changing priorities.
• Responsible Beverage Certification and Food Handlers Card
• Previous experience with POS, Commerce7, Tock, NAV, a plus.
• Retail sales experience: the ability to present products, up-sell & cross-sell.

Physical Demands

• Continuous standing, with frequent walking on even and uneven surfaces
• Intermittent sitting
• Occasional bending and twisting
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs continuously, and occasionally up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to push and pull up to 50 lbs intermittently
• Ability to work in an environment that is indoors and outdoors

Benefits and Perks

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts)
• 401k Matching
• PTO (Paid-Time-Off)
• Paid holidays

Pay rate: $20 
*Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location.

Cline Cellars provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
 

This is a full time position