Sommelier

About Alta Adams 

Alta Adams is where comfort meets refinement. We are more than a restaurant; we are a gathering place for the West Adams community and a reflection of Los Angeles through food, culture, and hospitality. 

Our cuisine is rooted in seasonal California ingredients and inspired by the cultures that have shaped Los Angeles. We believe hospitality is proactive, personal, and rooted in genuine care. Every guest should feel recognized, welcomed, and valued. 

Core Values 

Love 

We lead with kindness, empathy, compassion, and inclusivity. 

Excellence 

We believe excellence is the result of discipline, consistency, attention to detail, and continuous improvement. 

Accountability 

We do what we say we will do. We show up, support one another, and take ownership of our actions. 

Floor Lead / Sommelier

(Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt)

Reports To: Assistant General Manager
Department: Front of House / Beverage
Location: Alta Adams

About the Role

The Floor Lead / Sommelier provides essential support to the leadership team by ensuring the dining room remains polished, organized, and inviting. This role acts as the face of our beverage program, fostering guest connections through expert knowledge and genuine care.

A primary objective of this position is executing Alta’s signature 'second touch.' Following the initial greeting by the server, the Sommelier personally welcomes the table to provide dedicated beverage guidance, highlighting opportunities for wine pairings or premium bottle service.

This role is designed to complement, not duplicate, server duties. While the server manages ordering and primary table flow, the Sommelier elevates the room through heightened awareness, beverage leadership, and proactive hospitality. Multiple team members may share these duties to ensure consistent excellence across all service periods.

Every person in this position is expected to uphold the highest standards of second-touch hospitality and beverage service during their assigned shifts.

Key Areas of Focus

Service Leadership

• Maintain a constant, active presence on the floor to monitor room rhythm and guest engagement.
• Facilitate seamless communication between the bar, kitchen, host stand, and service staff.
• Identify and address service hurdles early, escalating concerns to management as needed.
• Assist with service recovery, table resets, and maintaining dining room readiness.
• Embody Alta’s core values through professional composure, timing, and a supportive team attitude.
• Provide post-service feedback to help refine consistency and improve overall hospitality.

Wine & Beverage Excellence

• Engage every table personally to introduce specialized beverage support and build rapport.
• Identify and drive sales opportunities for wine, and sophisticated pairings.
• Lead premium beverage service, with a focus on bottle offerings 
• Execute technical wine service including proper presentation, decanting, and bottle pacing.
• Support the ongoing development of staff through beverage education and pre-shift updates.
• Stay informed on inventory levels, vintages, and any changes to the beverage program.

Role Limitations

The Floor Lead / Sommelier is an hourly leadership support position and does not have authority to:

• Manage server sections or primary menu ordering.
• Hire, discipline, terminate, or suspend employees.
• Authorize payroll, schedules, overtime, or pay changes.
• Approve final financial adjustments, refunds, or company policy updates.
• Act as a final operational or staffing decision-maker.

Required Experience

• Extensive background in polished or upscale dining environments.
• Comprehensive wine knowledge and professional service proficiency.
• Natural ability to lead through hospitality, communication, and floor awareness.
• Commitment to nights, weekends, and holiday availability.

The Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a polished professional who exudes warmth and confidence. They possess a keen eye for detail, can read a room effortlessly, and enjoy the art of suggesting beverages that enhance the guest experience. They are team-oriented leaders who influence through expertise and presence rather than formal authority.

Compensation

This hourly, non-exempt position is eligible for overtime and may include participation in the tip pool or service charge as outlined by company policy. We provide professional growth opportunities in a culture defined by excellence and accountability.

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to move throughout the restaurant continuously during service.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to carry wine bottles, glassware racks, service tools, and dining room supplies safely.
• Ability to bend, reach, polish, stock, organize, and support dining room and beverage service needs.

Alta is committed to creating a culture where hospitality, professionalism, accountability, wine knowledge, and genuine care define every guest experience.