Tasting Room Lead – Southwest Mountains Vineyards
Job Description
April 9, 2024

Southwest Mountains Vineyards is a first-generation family-owned winery in Keswick, Virginia seeking a full-time Tasting Room Lead for our 12,500 sq. ft. busy Tasting Room https://www.smvwines.com/. The ideal candidate will be a key brand ambassador for the winery and will be a driving force for creating an environment where visitors are converted into “Raving Fans” by delivering customer service that surprises and delights!

Job Description:
The Tasting Room Lead shoulders a variety of responsibilities at SMV, not only ensuring a smooth operational experience for our associates, but they also work to create an exceptional customer experience and help guide guests on their wine journey. This role is multi-faceted and requires an individual who helps lead and support but also cultivates a welcoming atmosphere for guests and sets forth the smooth day-to-day operations of our tasting bars. Our Tasting Room Leads work directly with the General Manager, Tasting Room Manager and Management Team to collaborate and create energy for the entire team. If you have a passion for wine and a knack for creating unforgettable customer experiences, we hope you will apply today.

Tasting Room Lead:

Responsibilities:
•  Be accountable for adhering to policies and procedures, including proper safety guidelines, compliance, reporting, certifications, and record keeping for licensing.
•  Play a key role in building rapport with guests ensuring a warm welcome.
•  Build rapport with guests, answer their questions about wines and the winery.
•  Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system to process wine purchases and tasting fees efficiently.
•  Maintain accurate control of wine inventory and work meticulously to track daily, weekly, monthly wine sales and overall stock counting to ensure precise reporting and prevent shortages.
•  Submit weekly orders from production facility, outside vendors, and check orders into the winery.
•  Assist in conducting daily pre-shift and closing meetings.
•  Utilize checklist to set-up the tasting room and grounds daily and for all special programing.
•  Work with the management team to foster activities for a novel wine club and membership program that inspires retention, curates exceptional guest experiences, and drives revenue growth.
•  Assists in overseeing the maintenance and care of all assets including the furniture, and building maintenance related to hospitality areas.
•  Fosters a positive and productive team environment, providing guidance and support to ensure all team members deliver exceptional service.
•  Assists in training new hires as requested, offering guidance and feedback in the comprehension of wine knowledge and product details.
•  Ensures a clean, safe, and organized environment for both staff and guests.
•  For winery special events, tasting room leads take an active role in setup, execution, and post-event cleanup to ensure a seamless experience as schedules allow.
Qualifications & Experience Requirements:
•  Experience overseeing wine and food service in winery, tasting room, restaurant or hospitality environment preferred.
•  A natural leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Able to support management and be a leader in a encouraging, motivational, and positive nature.
•  Solid organizational and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, with the ability to multi-task.
•  Willing to work weekend hours and evenings when special events are scheduled.
•  Solid personal communication skills and hands-on experience with winery point-of-sales systems, inventory management, DTC systems and shipping software. (WineDirect, Sling, Toast and Tock preferred).
•  Exceptional knowledge of wine and food with a formal education or WSET certification is a plus.
•  Must be 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license.
•  Must be able to lift 40-50 lbs. and stand for long periods of time.

Compensation and Benefits:
Commensurate with Mid-Atlantic industry standards, and work experience.

Commencement:
April 2024

Southwest Mountains Vineyards 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.