Lead Tasting Room Associate

Ellison Estate Vineyard (EEV) is seeking a charismatic, positive individual, with wine and hospitality experience who is excited to provide excellent customer service to work in EEV’s Stowe Tasting Space. This person should be passionate about local Vermont products and wine, thrilled to create an elevated hospitality experience, and excited about working for a small family owned and operated agricultural business. This individual should also be motivated and have the skill/experience to aid in and help direct EEV marketing/sales related tasks.

Ellison Estate Vineyard’s elevated Vermont Tasting Space in the heart of downtown Stowe features wine tastings, glass pours, and bottle sales of EEV’s vibrant natural wines. The EEV Tasting Space collaborates with other exceptional Vermont farm brands to feature local cheese and charcuterie amongst other products i.e. Jasper Hill, Sage Farm, Monti Verdi, & Two Sons. Local non-alcoholic drinks are also served. Ellison Estate Vineyard sheepskins and other select farm products are featured as well. The concept of the space is to provide an authentic Vermont tasting experience, where an appreciation of the farm, where the products come from, and terroir, is emphasized in an elegant downtown space. Retail sales of products that can be tasted are available for purchase to bring the experience home. The Tasting Space hours are 11:30am-6pm Wednesday-Sunday. We also host paired wine dinners in the space and private parties.

We are looking to hire a full-time Lead Tasting Room Associate to start in mid-July. The most competitive applicants will also have marketing experience and a desire to take on marketing responsibilities in addition to sales and server responsibilities. Event management experience is also desirable for this position. Full and part-time applicants will be considered.

Desired Qualifications:

· At least 1 year of hospitality experience with strong knowledge of hospitality industry standards and practices

· Wine knowledge and experience working in the wine industry (wine sales, service and/or production)

· Excellent time management, organizational, and multitasking skills

· Consistent attention to detail

· Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines

· Strong communication, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities

· Marketing and sales experience is a big plus

· Flexible, creative, and able to work both independently and as part of a team

· Ability to take direction, ask for help/clarity, and give/accept constructive feedback

· Retail experience/management experience a plus

· Experience in local food/agriculture industry a plus

· Familiarity with food safety regulations and best practices

Responsibilities:

· Provide smooth and efficient service for customers with a focus on the experience

· Create appealing displays of products as needed

· Ensure there is always accurate in-store and external signage for all products

· Help establish marketing needs, promotions, etc. and then execute plans created with owner

· Help maintain inventory of supplies and equipment, ordering of local products as needed

· Help coordinate events in space including setup, execution, and breakdown

· Help organize and orchestrate paired dinners with guest chefs approximately every other month in space

· Help organize and orchestrate FLOCK, wine club events/releases in space

· Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation regulations

· Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and special requests in a professional manner

· Monitor and maintain cleanliness and organization of the room

· Work collaboratively with other employees as needed

Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be adjusted based on the needs of the company.

Compensation will be commiserate with experience and includes gratuity. Base compensation will start at $18-20/hour. Historically this position receives an annual average of $6-8/hour additional compensation from gratuity, varies by quarter, (in some time periods $14/hour additional).

Pay: $18.00 - $34.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Opportunities for advancement

Language:

• English (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Stowe, VT 05672 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $6 - $8