Submission #3405

Position Overview

At Laetitia, meaning joy and happiness, we believe these values should permeate every aspect of our business—from our culture and people to every guest experience. Rooted in a passion for exceptional wine, legacy, and our stunning California Central Coast estate, we value collaboration, balance, sustainable practices, and community involvement. This position offers the opportunity to shape a core sales channel in our business growth, contribute to our ongoing commitment to excellence, and create lasting connections with our guests.

This role requires an enthusiastic, experienced leader with a passion for wine and hospitality, a strategic mindset, and a proven ability to create unforgettable guest experiences. You’ll be balancing guest engagement, operational management, and team development, all while ensuring a world-class tasting experience that aligns with Laetitia’s values of joy, collaboration, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Hospitality
• Lead and inspire the tasting room team to deliver personalized service, educating guests on Laetitia’s wines, history, and vineyard practices.
• Develop service standards to ensure premium experiences for all guests.
• Collaborate with the Wine Club Manager and DTC Director on exclusive tastings and events to foster guest loyalty.
• Host VIP guests and special groups, providing personalized tours and tastings.
• Gather and analyze guest feedback to continuously improve the visitor experience.

Sales Strategy & Profitability
• Develop and execute strategies to increase tasting room revenue through wine and merchandise sales.
• Build relationships with local vendors and industry partners to drive traffic and brand visibility.
• Collaborate on membership sales initiatives, creating joint promotions and engagement plans.
• Analyze sales metrics, optimizing sales tactics with the DTC Director.

Leadership & Team Development
• Recruit, hire, and onboard tasting room associates who embody Laetitia’s values.
• Deliver training programs on wine education, sales techniques, and hospitality best practices.
• Set performance expectations, providing coaching to promote professional growth.
• Cultivate a positive, collaborative team culture, recognizing achievements.
• Manage scheduling to align with guest traffic and control labor costs.
• Lead by example, maintaining an active presence on the tasting room floor.

Operational Excellence
• Oversee daily operations, including opening/closing, cash handling, and reconciliations.
• Utilize systems like Wine Direct, Commerce7, Toast, Tock, and ShipCompliant to streamline operations.
• Maintain wine and merchandise inventory levels, ensuring timely ordering.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and Responsible Beverage Service standards.
• Optimize tasting room layout and retail displays to maximize sales.

Event Planning & Execution
• Collaborate with the DTC Director to plan and execute on-site and off-site events, including private tastings and seasonal promotions.
• Partner with marketing teams to develop experiential activations that attract visitors.
• Host educational workshops and themed tasting events to engage guests and drive sales.
• Manage event logistics, staffing, and guest interactions for seamless execution.

Qualifications

Experience:
• 5+ years of combined experience in hospitality, wine, or luxury retail, with 3+ years in tasting room or hospitality management.
• Proficient in tasting room technologies, including Wine Direct, Commerce7, Toast, Tock, and ShipCompliant.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.

Sales & Customer Engagement:
• Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding sales goals, including wine club membership targets.
• Passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences and building long-term relationships.

Leadership & Communication:
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to motivate teams and resolve conflicts diplomatically.
• Collaborative mindset and the ability to work cross-departmentally, particularly with the DTC Director and Wine Club Manager.

Compliance & Safety:
• Knowledge of OSHA standards, Responsible Beverage Service regulations, and food safety compliance.
• Responsible Beverage Certification (or ability to obtain).

Technical Proficiency:
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Additional Requirements:
• Availability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.
• Ability to lift and carry 50lbs, stand for extended periods, and move efficiently in a busy environment.

Benefits:
• Comprehensive health insurance options (medical, dental and vision)
• Paid Time Off (Holidays, Vacation and Sick)
• Employee Discount

Compensation:
• Base Salary: $75,000 - $80,000, based on experience.
• Bonus: 30% of base salary (performance based metrics)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Laetitia Vineyard and Winery is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity. We do not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status.