Front of House Lead

Marzae Cellar Provisions | Front of House Lead Position Summary

The Front of House Lead is responsible for supporting the General Manager in the daily operation of Marzae Cellar Provisions while helping create exceptional guest experiences through leadership, hospitality, and operational excellence. This role serves as the General Manager's primary operational partner and assumes responsibility for front-of-house operations in the General Manager's absence. The Front of House Lead leads by example, coaches team members, maintains service standards, and ensures every guest receives warm, knowledgeable, and memorable hospitality.

As an urban winery, our service philosophy is wine-forward, approachable, and education-focused. The ideal candidate is an experienced hospitality professional who enjoys mentoring others, solving problems, and building a positive team culture while maintaining high operational standards.

Reports To: General Manager

Core Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Assist with leading daily front-of-house operations during assigned shifts.
• Act as Manager on Duty in the General Manager's absence.
• Support bartenders and servers as needed, including making drinks, running food, and bussing tables.
• Lead pre-shift meetings, communicate daily priorities, and reinforce company policies and hospitality standards.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and accountable workplace culture.

Guest Experience

• Lead by example to deliver exceptional hospitality and memorable guest experiences.
• Build relationships with guests, resolve concerns professionally, and ensure timely, attentive service.
• Monitor dining room flow and service quality.
• Educate guests on Marzae wines while promoting retail wine sales and winery memberships when appropriate.

Operational Management

• Open and close the restaurant according to company standards.
• Manage cash handling, deposits, drawer reconciliation, and POS accuracy.
• Ensure cleanliness, side work completion, and operational readiness throughout guest-facing and service areas.
• Assist with inventory counts, receiving deliveries, and monitoring wine, beer, retail merchandise, and supply inventory.
• Communicate operational needs to the General Manager.

Food & Beverage Quality

• Ensure food and beverages meet presentation, recipe, and service standards.
• Maintain wine service quality and assist bartenders, servers, and food runners during service.

Retail Area

• Assist FOH team and customers as needed with retail area (Wine Provisions To-Go)
• Keep the retail area clean, organized, aesthetically pleasing, and easily shoppable.
• Guide customers on choosing which wines and pantry items will work best for their preferences.

Event Operations

• Assist with private event planning, staffing, setup, breakdown, and execution while ensuring exceptional guest hospitality.

Opening & Closing Responsibilities

Opening Duties

• Conduct facility walkthroughs.
• Verify cleanliness and readiness.
• Confirm staffing and daily assignments.
• Ensure POS systems are operational.
• Review reservations, private events, and special requests.
• Verify inventory levels.
• Conduct pre-shift meetings.

Closing Duties

• Verify completion of all side work.
• Complete cash reconciliation.
• Secure alcohol inventory.
• Complete manager closing checklist.
• Ensure cleaning standards are met.
• Prepare operational notes for the General Manager.
• Secure the building according to company procedures.

Professional Expectations

Successful Front of House Leads are:

• Hospitality-focused leaders.
• Excellent communicators.
• Calm under pressure.
• Highly organized.
• Solutions-oriented.
• Dependable and accountable.
• Positive mentors.
• Detail-oriented.
• Professional representatives of the Marzae brand.
• Comfortable making decisions independently.

At Marzae, hospitality means making every guest feel like family. We believe wine should be welcoming rather than intimidating, and every interaction should leave guests feeling comfortable, informed, and excited to return. Every employee serves as a brand ambassador and plays an important role in creating memorable experiences.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• 3 years of restaurant or hospitality experience.
• Previous supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Experience in restaurants, wine bars, breweries, tasting rooms, or hospitality venues.
• Strong leadership and coaching abilities.
• Experience using Toast POS preferred.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Experience with cash handling, inventory, and daily operations.
• Wine knowledge strongly preferred but not required.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Beverage Program & Service Model

Marzae is primarily a wine bar featuring:

• Marzae wines by the glass and bottle
• Local craft beer
• Simple cocktails and mocktails*

*Typically two to three ingredients, with many beverages batched or served on draft.

Bar/Chef's Counter | Full Service

Serviced directly by the bartender.

Lounge | Full Service

Serviced by servers, with beverages prepared by the bartender.

General Seating | Counter Service

Guests order food and beverages at the bar. Servers and food runners deliver food and beverages, maintain tables throughout service, clear dishes, and provide ongoing hospitality to ensure an exceptional guest experience.

Product Knowledge & Training

Successful candidates should continually expand their knowledge of:

• Marzae wines.
• New England and New York wine regions and varietals.
• Food and wine pairing.
• Winery production methods.

Marzae encourages continuous education through regular staff tastings, wine education, and harvest intern opportunities. Employees interested in pursuing formal wine education (such as WSET or Court of Master Sommeliers coursework) are encouraged to discuss professional development opportunities with management.

Required Certifications & Physical Requirements

All employees must maintain current certifications including:

• TIPS Certification.
• ServSafe Food Handler Certification (or equivalent).

Copies of all certifications must remain current and on file.

Employees are expected to:

• Follow all food safety and sanitation standards.
• Understand HACCP principles and safe food handling procedures.
• Comply with all Massachusetts alcohol service laws.
• Follow all company sanitation, cleaning, and safety procedures.
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment.
• Immediately report any safety or maintenance concerns.

This position regularly requires employees to:

• Stand and walk for up to 8–10 hours.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Assist with stocking wine, retail merchandise, and operational supplies.
• Reach, bend, kneel, climb step stools, and work in refrigerated storage areas when necessary.
• Perform all front-of-house responsibilities as business needs require.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

• Guaranteed minimum earnings of $25/hour via tip pooling.
• Approximately 30–40 hours per week preferred.
• Overtime paid in accordance with applicable federal and Massachusetts law.
• Payroll is processed bi-weekly.

Service Charges

• 15% built-in service charge.

• 3% kitchen support fee applied to food sales to support equitable back-of-house compensation.

Paid Time Off Opportunities to Grow

• After 6 months of employment, FOH lead is eligible for 20 days of paid vacation per year.
• Paid Vacation = $25/Hour x 8 Hours per Day = $200
• Ideally, this position will grow into a salaried position with full benefits as Marzae grows.

Health Benefits

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with employer matching up to applicable federal limits.
• Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML).
• Guidance regarding affordable health insurance options through the Massachusetts Health Connector.

Commuter Benefits

• Marzae participates in the MBTA Perq Program. Additional commuter assistance may be available.

Employee Perks

• Employee discounts on wine and retail products.
• Shift meals or staff meal discounts (where applicable).
• Access to staff tastings and educational events.
• Potential equity opportunities.
• Potential performance bonuses.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Marzae Cellar Provisions is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Pay: From $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Paid training

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25