Beverage Manager
(Wine Jobs:
Wine Retail & Sommelier)
Full Time
Los Angeles,
California
Simpatico Hospitality Group, the parent company of Tilda, is hiring a Beverage Manager!
This position spans three concepts under the same roof: Tilda, a small wine bar focused on California natural wine (open since Feb 2020); Garbatella, a forthcoming 80-seat full-service Italian restaurant that will feature an Italian wine list (anticipated opening September 2021); and an expanded retail wine shop that will focus on natural wine (name to be announced soon, anticipated opening October 2021). The Beverage Manager will be the principal buyer for all wine, beer, coffee, and other non-alcoholic beverages across these locations. Tilda currently operates as a hybrid wine bar and wine shop, but our retail wine sales will eventually be consolidated into the new retail wine space, under the guidance of the Beverage Manager.
The Beverage Manager will be part of a management team that includes a General Manager and an Executive Chef, who respectively oversee FOH and BOH staff and operations for both Tilda and Garbatella. The Beverage Manager will oversee staff and daily operations in the new retail wine space, but will also interface with Tilda and Garbatella waitstaff as an additional managerial floor presence during some service hours, and by training and tasting staff on current beverage offerings.
This position is an opportunity to step into a leadership role at an established business that is poised for expansion. The successful candidate will bring a clear vision to the role and will be excited to collaborate with our existing team and build upon our current momentum and offerings.
Applicants should have a strong background in natural wine, specifically with the smaller, low-intervention producers that we champion at Tilda. Prior experience opening new concepts, setting up systems, managing COGS and budgets, reviewing P&Ls, merchandising, managing a team, and managing inventory are highly valued. Prior experience that spans restaurant and retail beverage sales is ideal and will be a strong asset in this multifaceted position. As this position does entail direct contact with both retail wine and restaurant customers, a strong sense of hospitality and customer service is crucial. Formal training or certification program credentials such as Court of Master Sommeliers or WSET are not required but are welcome. We are particularly excited about candidates who have fresh voices on wine, and who come from groups that have been historically underrepresented within the wine business.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and/or maintaining beverage programs and menus for all three concepts, and purchasing, receiving, and managing inventory of all beverages
- Day-to-day management of the retail wine concept and its staff, including hiring, training, and scheduling staff
- Ongoing staff education on all beverage offerings and beverage service standards; fostering a consistent wine language and approach across the staff
- Serving as an additional managerial presence during some service hours at Tilda and Garbatella, including some opening or closing oversight; provide some sales/service touches to seated tables as needed
- Collaborating with ownership on the development and launch of the new retail wine concept
- P&L responsibility and course correction with metrics regarding COGS, gross sales, labor cost management, other overhead expenses, and profitability
- Overseeing consistent product merchandising and photography; writing all tasting/pairing notes in a consistent house style
- Beverage-related event and promotional programming (e.g. tasting events, winemaker dinners)
- Managing CRM and social media presence
- Managing and maintaining an online sales platform, and overseeing shipping fulfillment for online sales
- Devising and managing special offerings, such as holiday gifting, curated wine lists for offsite events, private tastings, etc.
We offer a competitive compensation package that includes salary beginning at $70,000 per year, bonus potential, twelve days of paid vacation per year, health care coverage (Blue Shield PPO) with monthly premiums fully paid by the company, generous employee discounts on dining and retail wine, and an annual complimentary stay at a historic mid-century home in Palm Desert. This is a full-time, exempt position and employment with Simpatico is at-will.
To apply, please send a cover letter describing your background and interest in the position, a resume, and two or more professional references.
Starting at $70,000/year, bonus potential, twelve days of paid vacation per year, health care coverage (Blue Shield PPO) with monthly premiums fully paid by the company, generous employee discounts on dining and retail wine
