Job Description
**Wine Bar Manager Position**
We are excited to announce an opportunity for a Wine Bar Manager to lead operations at our charming wine bar and tasting room located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. This role is perfect for a hospitality professional who thrives in a warm, service-oriented environment, seamlessly blending the art of engaging hospitality with operational excellence.
**About Us**
Our wine bar and tasting room proudly features two unique yet complementary wine brands: one focused on exquisite Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the other dedicated to showcasing Loire Valley varieties cultivated on California's Central Coast. Inspired by the rich traditions of European wine culture, we strive to create a welcoming space for both locals and visitors, offering curated wine experiences paired with thoughtfully selected food options.
**The Role**
As the Wine Bar Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of our wine bar, ensuring that every guest receives exceptional service. You will drive sales, manage a small team, and support private events, all while fostering a culture of hospitality that emphasizes education, warmth, and seamless execution. Your goal will be to make every guest feel like they've discovered something truly special.
**Key Responsibilities**
- **Guest Experience & Service Excellence:** Lead front-of-house operations to create a consistently welcoming and engaging atmosphere. Collaborate with the Director of Hospitality to train staff in delivering outstanding guest experiences, focusing on education, hospitality, and storytelling.
- **Operations & Inventory Management:** Oversee wine bar service, manage reservations, maintain inventory, and ensure smooth POS and cash handling procedures.
- **Sales & Wine Club Engagement:** Actively drive wine sales, encourage wine club sign-ups, and foster repeat business through meaningful guest interactions and relationship-building.
- **Private Events & Hospitality Programming:** Assist with inquiries, coordinate logistics, and execute private tastings, wine dinners, and special events in collaboration with our team.
- **Staff Leadership & Training:** Hire, train, and mentor a small team of wine and service professionals, maintaining a culture of excellence, accountability, and enthusiasm.
- **Marketing & Community Engagement:** Support social media initiatives, email marketing, and local outreach to enhance awareness and engagement with the wine bar.
- **Compliance & Best Practices:** Ensure adherence to ABC regulations, food safety standards, labor laws, and all daily operational protocols.
**Who We're Looking For**
- A seasoned hospitality professional with experience in wine bars, tasting rooms, or upscale restaurants.
- A passion for wine, food, and genuine hospitality, with a strong knowledge of Santa Barbara wines or the broader world of wine, and a desire to share that knowledge with others.
- A strong leader and team builder who can cultivate an inspiring and accountable work environment.
- An adaptable and hands-on individual, willing to jump in wherever needed to ensure an exceptional guest experience.
**Preferred Experience & Skills**
- A minimum of 2+ years of lead or management experience in hospitality (wine bar, tasting room, restaurant, or similar).
- Strong wine knowledge (certifications like WSET or CMS are a plus but not required).
- Experience managing POS, reservations, and CRM systems (such as Tock, Square, Commerce7, etc.).
- Proven ability to drive sales, wine club memberships, and customer engagement.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and events as needed.
**Compensation & Benefits**
- Annual salary range: $70,000 - $80,000
- Performance-based incentives
- Membership enrollment incentives
- Employer-sponsored health insurance
- 401K Retirement Plan
- Paid time off
**Join Us**
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of one of Santa Barbara's most dynamic wine destinations. If you are a hospitality leader with a passion for wine and a commitment to creating exceptional experiences, we would love to hear from you!
To apply, please send your resume along with a brief cover letter detailing your experience and explaining why you would be a great fit for this role.
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 70,000.00 80,000.00 Per Year
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