The Assistant Tasting Room Manager performs an essential role at our Shelburne Vineyard Tasting Room. We are seeking a candidate with a wealth of hospitality experience who has demonstrated success managing a team of servers. Wine & cider knowledge and experience working at wineries / cideries is strongly preferred.

This role is full-time (40 hours/week) from May to the end of October. From November to the end of April, hours drop to 25-30 per week. Weekend and evening availability is required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the Tasting Room floor when the Manager is not present or is not on the floor
• Execute all opening and closing procedures, in accordance with company procedures
• Be the bridge between the Tasting Room and leadership. The Assistant Manager hears the needs of staff members and communicates feedback to the managers, and communicates instructions from management to the tasting room staff.
• Mitigates customer complaints, improves the customer experience and understands the scope of available, appropriate tools to do so (ie. discounts, comps)
• Maintains situational awareness and prompts staff to perform any necessary tasks, delegating effectively and providing clear instructions that take into account the strengths and personalities of individual team members
• Performs all functions of a Tasting Room server, including checking in customers, serving tables, doing dishes etc
• Performs inventory counts on a weekly basis
• Holds pre-shift and pre-event team meetings to coordinate and unify the team
• Identifies operational efficiencies and new business opportunities and ideas, bringing them to the Manager for discussion and potential implementation
• Develops relationships with regular customers and Wine Club members
• Coordinates with the Tasting Room Manager to maintain a clean and presentable guest and associate-friendly environment
• Achieve objectives in sales, service and quality, as set by the Tasting Room Manager

DEPARTMENT STAFFING, TRAINING, AND MANAGING:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations and staff performance of up to 10 associates including Servers, Hosts, and Dishwashers/Bussers
• Helps the Tasting Room Manager and Event Manager guide the performance of all associates including attendance, breaks, performance, and standards
• Trains new Tasting Room staff, and observes staff to ensure additional training is provided as needed
• Understands the strengths of staff members and assigns team members to particular roles during a shift, depending on the dynamics of service
• Fill in or assist staff where needed to ensure efficient operations
• Council associates on how to address over-consumption of guests and how to proceed (cut off when needed)

VALUES:

• Holds a high level of appreciation for the quality of the customer experience and helps the team maintain and elevate service
• Kind, compassionate and diplomatic
• Sensitive, tactful and discreet, but willing to deliver dissenting opinions
• Has leadership abilities and the willingness to continuously learn and improve
• Steps in with authority and maintains the company’s values

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years of hospitality experience required
• Demonstrated leadership skills in previous positions is required
• Demonstrated experience managing a serving team is required
• Experience at a vineyard tasting room or wine sales positions is a major plus
• Wine-related certifications (Court of Master Sommeliers or WSET courses) are a plus
• Ability to learn and retain a large amount of detailed information and communicate this information in a passionate way to staff and customers
• Flexible, communicative, and highly motivated

EXPECTATIONS:

• Must have a high degree of curiosity about our wines & ciders, farming approach and winemaking processes
• Schedule and hours will change from busy season to slower season. During the busy season of mid-May - October this is a 40 hr/week position, which will drop to a minimum of 25 hours/week from November - mid-May
• Will work both weekend days consistently
• Will work until close (ranging from 9pm on regular service days to midnight during private events)
• Must be 21 to apply
• Experience using Resy and/or the Square POS system is helpful but not required

SALARY & BENEFITS:

• $18 / hr plus tips, which typically bring gross hourly to $28-45. Gratuities are pooled and divided amongst staff working during a particular shift, and the Tasting Room Manager would be entitled to a portion of these tips.
• 40% employee discount on wine & cider
• 25% employee discount on food & merchandise

Our Approach to Diversity, Equity & Belonging

At Shelburne Vineyard, we are committed to an inclusive workforce that fully represents diverse cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints. We embrace employees and candidates from underrepresented groups to help make this vision a reality.

Job Types: Full-time, Seasonal

Pay: $28.00 - $45.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid training

Restaurant type:

• Upscale casual restaurant

Shift:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift

Weekly day range:

• Every weekend
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• Hospitality management: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Shelburne, VT 05482: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person