Thursday, December 12, 2019

WineTalent Classifieds: Santa Barbara Luxury Winery Hospitality Specialist

WineTalent is working with our Santa Barbara client to find a Hospitality Specialist.  

About the company:  Our client is an estate winery dedicated to crafting wines of the highest distinction. The winery focuses on discovery, excellence and quality. They have the extraordinary opportunity to produce world-class Cabernet-based wines in keeping with the luxury wineries of Bordeaux and Napa Valley. We are looking for a Hospitality Specialist to join the Direct to
Consumer Team on a full-time basis, Tuesday thru Saturdays. A
critical aspect of the role is delivering an exceptional visitor
experience, world- class customer service and superlative wine
education to guests at the estate.

About the Job Responsibilities:
• Welcome and engage guests by demonstrating the highest degree of genuinely friendly customer service standards.
• Educates and schedules members and perspective customers who are calling to coordinate appointments for private tasting experiences.
• Perform all aspects of private tasting  including tour and tasting, setup, restock wine, wipe down tables, bus and wash glasses, enter orders into POS system and fulfill onsite orders.
• Build long-lasting relationships with the Santa Barbara County wine community and wine industry, acting as a Brand Ambassador to promote the Estate.
• Understand POS program to process sales and shipping orders. Vin65 experience is a plus.
• Coordinate, support and attend winery offsite dinners and events. Some overnight travel required.

About the Requirements:
• Strong desire to provide superior customer service and cultivate client relationships.
• Strong attention to sales and administrative detail.
• Self-motivated with the ability to multi-task numerous projects at one-time.
• Outgoing, sales-oriented, engaging and energetic personality.
• WSET Level 1, preferred.
• Exemplary interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to educate guests about wines in an engaging and relatable way.
• Experience and/or comfort with selling and promoting a luxury, premium priced wine

• Team player with enthusiastic outlook and creative mind.
• Previous tasting room, sales & hospitality or wine retail experience.
• Be 21 years of age or over.
• Work evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Lift 40 lbs repeatedly.
• Sit at a desk for long periods of time and stand for long periods of time.

 About WineTalent: WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We work closely with our clients and our job seekers to find the right fit of talents, experience and work environment. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

WineTalent: The Right People for the Job

If you are interested in applying, email your resume to amy@winetalent.net
All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential

How to Negotiate a Salary Increase

If you are about to sit down with your manager for your annual performance review, you may be thinking that a salary increase is on the horizon.  While some companies have a policy of annual increases, many companies only do salary increases when roles change significantly or someone has proven to have exceptional worth for the company.  If you are looking to get a raise, be ready to ask for it. 

Knowledge is Power:  Do your homework before stepping into that review

Track Accomplishments:  Only you are completely aware of the role you hold in the company, and you need to let your boss know what you have accomplished for the company in the last year.  Keep tabs on your accomplishments, noting major projects and successes you were responsible for.  You may want to keep a running list for yourself, reviewing your work weekly or monthly, noting successes and understanding how future wins were built on those successes.  If possible, track them in relation to business metrics and outcomes.  By identifying your accomplishments, you build a case to your manager of your business value. 

Know Your Worth:  Yes, you may want a raise, but first you should know what similar roles pay in your industry and in your geography.  Look for salary surveys published in your industry.  For us wine professionals, start by reviewing the Wine Business Monthly's Annual Salary Survey.  (You can find this year's here.)  You may also want to use the salary calculators on sites such as Salary.com or Glassdoor.com

When you get into salary discussions, you want to know where your own compensation fits within industry standards.  If your wages are significantly lower than industry standards, state that and give a number that is more appropriate for your role.  If they are above, perhaps a title change and additional responsibilities would make your request for a bigger salary easier to approve. 

Know the Value of Your Total Benefit Package:  Don't forget to factor in your benefits and perks when looking at your compensation.  Some companies can offer very robust benefits but keep to a tight salary figure.  When you are going into salary negotiations, know the value of the total package.  You may want to have some ideas on perks that you value.  Things like flextime, additional vacation days and wine allocations are all items that you may desire that the company could easily give you.  You may only get those perks if salary increases are impossible, so make sure your requests are valuable to you. 

Know Your Number: Going through your accomplishments, looking at your current salary and benefits and knowing industry salary averages, put together a few different desired compensation scenarios.  Knowing the package you want allows you to present a realistic number to your boss. She may have a different number in mind.  With your knowledge of all of the components of the compensation allows you to negotiate on different items, including salary, bonus, commissions and benefits.   

Pay Attention to What's Going on Around You:  If you just heard that the whole international team was sacked to cut operating costs, your salary increase may be impossible.  Don't think you can't talk about a salary increase.  You can still explain your accomplishments and a fair compensation plan for your.  While it might not happen if the company can't do it, having the conversation and showing your worth to your boss can pay off in the future, when business has improved. 

Use Your Advantage:  Going into your review you have a lot of information about the company, the team and your job.  Employee retention is a huge goal for good companies, and those companies want to keep good employees.  While you are asking for a raise, you are also showing what a great employee you are and showing how important you are to the company.  Often an employer will recognize this, and give you a performance based increase. 

Learn to Love the Word No:  No one wants to go into a meeting with her boss and hear no.  Whether it is a no for a request for time off or the dreaded no to a request for a raise, that little word has a lot of power.  You may go into the meeting trying to please your boss.  Well, you could probably really please her if you didn't ask for a raise and accepted it if she said no.  Remember, this is a time to show your worth, and you want to prove that you are a good negotiator.  Turn your fear of no into a love of it.  You may want to lead your request for a raise by saying something along the lines of "I'd like to discuss my salary with you today.  I have put together some information about my contributions to the company.  Let's review this and then discuss my current salary and potential future salary.  I understand if this increase can't happen immediately, but do want to start the conversation."  You may even want to get your boss to say no during the discussion, and for you to say no too.  By inviting no, hearing no and saying no yourself can create a good dialogue in the meeting and create a give-and-take scenario during the discussion.  It also shows your boss that you can talk about your salary rationally, which invites sound decision making on both sides of the discussion.

Stay Positive:  You may go into this meeting feeling confident in your ability to win an increase.  There may be external factors at play that you aren't privy to.  You want your boss to be an ally, and you may want to look at creative ways to still improve your role and position in the company while leaving the door open to a salary increase in the future.  Positive discussion points can include future career growth within the company, special projects that could use your talents, and mentorship opportunities within the organization. 

Keep a Clear Head:  While this is a nerve-wracking time for you, don't get emotional.  Stay professional and calm.  While you are proud of yourself and asking for monetary recognition, getting frustrated or angry can derail all of your hard work.  Blowing up during the discussion will derail your hopes of getting a raise. 

This is About Your Work, Nothing Else:  While we can all say we need more money to take care of debts, help out an ill family member, or buy a new car, those factors mean nothing to your company or your boss.  Your employer did not put those obstacles in your way, and does not need to remedy them for you.  Keep your discussion based on your performance and salary information for your position.  Bringing up personal issues doesn't help your negotiation position, and could possibly undermine it. 

Don't Force It:  While you may be focused on getting a raise, your boss may not have the ability to give anything during the meeting.  She most likely needs to discuss it with management and human resources.  Present your case, and leave the door open to salary discussions if there isn't an immediate answer during this discussion.

Stay Away From Ultimatums:  This is not the time to say that you either get a raise or you quit.  While you may think you are invaluable to your company, leaving them only the choice between a raise or your separation could backfire, causing you to be out of a job, and without any raise or future with the company. 

For more thoughts on this check out these articles:  

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/annual-salary-negotiations
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/Think-You-Deserve-a-Raise-Ask
https://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/T012-C006-S001-five-steps-to-negotiating-a-raise.html
https://www.cio.com/article/2438603/careers-staffing-10-mistakes-to-avoid-when-negotiating-a-raise.html

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

WineTalent Classifieds: Events Services Manager at Farmstead

WineTalent is working with our client, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, on an Events Services Manager search.

About Long Meadow Ranch:  Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned agricultural enterprise producing grapes and wine, olives and olive oil, grass-fed beef and lamb, fruits, vegetables, and eggs in the Napa Valley, Anderson Valley and Marin County. The Long Meadow Ranch operations also include an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, a general store and wine tasting bar in the historic Logan-Ives House, an outdoor cafe, a farmer's market, a working garden and a variety of unique event spaces all located at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch.

About the Opportunity:  We have a unique opportunity for a motivated Events Services Manager to join our events team!  Events at Long Meadow Ranch include Live Fires, Guest Chefs, Beer and Wine Dinners, weddings, corporate meetings and occasional offsite events. We are searching for an enthusiastic individual who is looking to ensure that all event activities are carried out professionally, to company standards and at the highest level of service. Results, integrity and teamwork are important for success in this position. 

Responsibilities:   
  • Coordinate details of events such as conferences, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, rehearsal dinners, charity events, sales meetings, business meetings, employee events and brand events
  • Create and update organized, detailed and precise banquet event orders according to company time standards to reflect details regarding menu and beverage selections, rental equipment, guest counts, change orders and set up/strike
  • Prepare and distribute all banquet event order preparation including instructions for setup to event staff including sales managers, event operations manager, event sous chefs and events line staff
  • Ensure deadlines are met for head counts, cut-off dates and deposits
  • Manage rental and other event service expenses according to budget
  • Facilitate and manage all contact with outside vendors as well as receive and supervise installation and breakdown of rental equipment
  • Update and distribute floor plans and seating arrangements for events and meetings
  • Attend weekly departmental meetings to receive information and distribute reports
  • Conduct site visits for clients to plan details including menus, setup and seating and manage client correspondence
  • Conduct pre-meeting client walkthroughs to ensure accuracy of all BEO and client needs
  • Assist with administrative responsibilities related to inquiry responses, including requests for proposals, as well as inquiries via email, phone or in-person
  • Work with the Event Operations Manager to provide leadership for the Events front of house staff as well as recognize and motivate staff and coach for operational excellence
  • Provide continuous, constructive feedback and guidance to events front of house staff
  • Assist the Event Operations Manager with the recruitment, selection, training, scheduling, counseling and discipline of Event front of house staff
  • Develop and maintain systems for efficient process to organize calendars, event orders, checklists and other event paperwork
  • Provide coverage and support in times of absences of other event team members
  • Maintain cleanliness and organization of the office areas
  • Manage inventory of event equipment including tables, chairs, projectors, and other materials
  • Attend networking events to increase referrals
  • Assist in other duties as assigned by the Director of Event Sales


Education, Experience and Required Skills
  • Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality or Hotel Management or closely related discipline.
  • At least 2 years of experience in hospitality and event management in the restaurant, resort, or hotel industry.
  • Detail-oriented work habits and strong organization skills required.
  • Excellent personal, written and verbal communication skills.
  • Extensive knowledge of computers including Google Apps, Microsoft Office and Tripleseat (or similar event management program)
  • Ability to stay calm under high pressure situations.
  • Ability to quickly solve problems when they happen.
  • Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to adhere to company standards for response times and deadlines.
  • Must have a valid CA driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record.
  • Ability to lift 50+ lbs.
  • A pre-employment background check is required.


Compensation and Benefits:
  • This is a full-time, salaried position.
  • Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k).


For confidential discussions with WineTalent, please contact amy@winetalent.net.

About WineTalent: WineTalent is a wine industry focused recruitment company. We work closely with our clients and our job seekers to find the right fit of talents, experience and work environment. All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

WineTalent: The Right People for the Job