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Tasting Rooms and Events General Manager

Big Basin Vineyards

Hybrid >Santa Cruz, CA

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Job Description:

Big Basin Vineyards is a small production, artisanal winery that has consistently received accolades from top critics, year after year. We believe great wines are made in the vineyard. We farm organically, pick by hand, ferment with native yeast, avoid fining and filtration, and use minimal sulfur. Founded by Bradley Brown, and along with Winemaker Blake Yarger, they have evolved Big Basins wines to evoke the energy, intensity and dimension that speak clearly of their mountain origins.

We are seeking an energetic, hands-on, flexible self-starter with a passion for wine. A customer-oriented sales disposition and fire-in-the belly desire to help us manage and grow our two tasting room hospitality experiences as if they were your own business.

In addition to seeking a creative and “do what it takes” team player, we are looking for someone who brings experience in:
Hiring, training and managing a sales staff in a wine or food service capacity,
Developing and growing a hospitality-centric business,
Setting up and using planning and reporting systems to manage performance and communicate priorities (financial, staff, quality and customer engagement/satisfaction).
Planning, promoting and managing events,
Managing quality control and hygiene in a food/beverage service environment, and
Selling wine

Role and Responsibilities:
Oversee and manage all aspects of the tasting room experience affecting profitability (sales, expenses and wine club signups), customer satisfaction and brand image at both tasting room locations.
招聘、雇佣、培训、进度、激励和review TR staff, including establishing policies, procedures and programs for customer service skills, product knowledge, wine education, food service and sales training.
Create an authentic and coveted hospitality experience for visitors that reflects the quality and personality of our brand and establishes/builds customer relationships. Create an atmosphere where staff wants to work and customers want to learn and buy.
Manage and enhance the presentation of our Tasting Room and wine bar venues for optimal customer appreciation and desire for repeat business, while attracting new customers who are walk ins.
Lead by example, taking an active role in tasting room sales and service – on the floor, behind the bar or in the kitchen – as needed.
开发和实施计划的增长战略business and improve profitability, by increasing wine club signups and direct wine sales, and ensuring accurate and efficient sales and visitor data collection. Create and manage reports to analyze the business and identify areas for improvement.
Set goals for business and staff, develop plans for achieving them and implement processes for monitoring and communicating progress.
Engage with local businesses and other potential partners to bring more of our targeted customer groups into the tasting rooms and to increase sales including local hotels and high end beach rentals within walking distance, as well as other wine bars and wineries.
Represent Big Basin Vineyards at outside events as needed, acting as ambassador for the Big Basin Vineyards story with respect to our wines, people and environmental commitment.
Master use of our POS and customer database (VineSpring) using Mac, iPads and laptops to collect qualitative and quantitative data to improve customer communication and retention, manage staff productivity and performance, as well as inform longer term servicing, marketing and event planning.
Plan, budget and manage winery events including staffing, entertainment and catering, at both locations.
Be a reliable and flexible team member within a small, passion-driven family-owned business by accommodating seasonal and event-driven busy times and unpredictable business opportunities or setbacks.

This position interfaces closely with our Internet Sales and Wine Club Manager (the other half of the direct to consumer business) on social media, promotions, customer communications and shipping logistics and with the owners who have extensive marketing and sales experience over the years of building the Big Basin brand.


Qualifications:
A knowledge of and passion for wine and food in a hospitality context and an ability to communicate this passion in an engaging manner. Formal wine education and/or winery experience is a must. Restaurant experience is a plus.
Customer service and sales skills. Genuinely enjoys customer contact and knows how to create mutually beneficial partnerships to build the business.
Strong people management skills with a proven track record in hiring, managing and motiving employees/team members and experience in “managing up” as needed.
Analytical skills to determine efficiency and effectiveness of tasting room staffing, promotions, and events.
Organizational skills for planning and coordinating events and projects.
Strong verbal and written communication skills – articulate, empathetic and concise.
Working knowledge of Excel/Numbers spreadsheet, Word/Pages word processing. Computer/Internet proficiency, including Dropbox, Slack, social media and other communication and coordination tools. Graphics skills a plus (for creating menus, TR handouts and training tools).


Physical / Time Requirements:
Typically 40 hours per week including weekends and evening hours, and requires flexibility to accommodate coverage during events and holidays as well as staffing needs.
Stand for prolonged periods, daily.
Ability to lift a case of wine (50 lbs)


Reports to: Founder and Owner

Wage/Benefits: Base Salary dependent on experience + yearly performance-based bonus.
Additional benefits include health insurance, paid-time-off, enrichment training and discounted wine.

Please include resume and cover letter. No phone calls or recruiters, please.

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
Monday, July 11th
Type of Work:
Full Time
Job Level:
Senior
Hiring Bonus:
$1000
Salary Information:
Commensurate with Experience

Contact Information:

Big Basin Vineyards
Bradley Brown