Tuesday, April 23, 2019

WineTalent Classifieds: Wine Club Coordinator in Oakville, CA



WineTalent is working with our client, B Cellars, to add a key member to their team.  The role is for a Wine Club Specialist who can assist the hospitality team with direct sales and create a unique membership experience for wine club members.  

About B Cellars:  B Cellars Vineyards & Winery has led the way in transforming the Napa Valley experience. The Hospitality House welcomes guests with its full, open-hearth, commercial kitchen. The wine tasting experiences include wine and food pairings created by the chef and culinary staff to be educational and to showcase B Cellars wines at the table. We are looking for a motivated leader who has what it takes to insure that our B Society wine club members are cared for in way that befits the excellence in wine and in service that B Cellars is known for.

About the Position:  This position will curate unique guest experiences for returning B Society members as a part of crafting and nurturing long-standing, personal relationships with members, relationships which extend long past their time visiting in Napa. It is a challenging and dynamic position requiring a customer-first, hospitality-minded disposition, coupled with excellent organizational skills, creativity, and an ability to collaborate with our top-notch sales team.

Position Overview:  The Wine Club Coordinator works with a team of skilled professionals to ensure members receive and sustain the best impression of B Cellars, with a focus at all times on customer service and on relationship building. This position manages relationships with our membership in conjunction with our sales team. This position reports to the Sales & Marketing Manager and has marketing and creative support.

Position Summary: Promotes the B Society wine club, curates the on-going experience of members, both during and after their visits to our winery, and supports the sales team in their sales and marketing efforts to our membership. This is a full-time, career-minded position with a competitive compensation package which includes a benefits package, commission structure, and bonus potential. Ability to work on weekends as well as some holidays is required. This is a customer-service-oriented position, and B Cellars is open 7 days per week.

Requirements:
21 years of age or older
Excellent verbal & interpersonal communication skills
Must be comfortable speaking with and interacting with guests
Minimum 5 years of experience in fine wine or luxury product sales, winery experience a plus
Must have a basic understanding of POS software, Microsoft Word and Excel
Minimum AA degree, 4 year degree a plus
Available to work both weekends and holidays
Ability to lift heavy boxes (40-50 lbs) on a repeated basis.
Ability to stand for long periods of time
Ability to walk for up to 3 miles per day over uneven terrain

All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential
Email resumes to amy@winetalent.net

WineTalent Classifieds: Winery Staff Accountant in St. Helena, CA

WineTalent is working with Long Meadow Ranch on a Staff Accountant role in their St. Helena, CA offices.  
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.
Long Meadow Ranch has a unique opportunity for a Staff Accountant to join our Finance team to provide quality service to our winery management team, farm production team, and other business partners. Reporting to the Controller, the Staff Accountant will provide general accounting support, maintain financial reports, records, and general ledger for multiple affiliated entities. This position requires ethical conduct and thoroughness, along with critical thinking, attention to detail and time management.
Responsibilities
  • Facilitate and complete monthly close procedures
  • Preparation of journal entries, analysis and reconciliation of general ledger accounts
  • Support accounts payable where necessary, including corporate credit card processing and facilitating employee expense reimbursement 
  • Accounting for fixed assets: Maintain fixed asset roll forward, including supporting fixed asset detail listings and related depreciation schedules Interface with other team members to monitor progress on capital projects and facilitate cost segregation studies
  • Liaison with sales team and order processing team to effectively manage wine accounts receivable. Conduct periodic conference calls with California wine broker to ensure timely cash collection
  • Record and reconciliation of inter-company billings
  • Support other critical accounting areas as needed, such as inventory and payroll
  • Monitor and ensure quality data transfer between accounting software and various other systems. Improve upon transfer files where needed
  • Assist with annual financial audit and preparation of tax return work papers. Prepare schedules for - and provide support to - auditors and tax accountants
  • Assist with documentation and monitoring of internal controls
  • Assist in preparation of monthly sales tax returns and other governmental compliance reporting where necessary
  • Collaborate with Controller to ensure that the financial information is prepared in strict adherence with US GAAP, company’s policies and procedures and sound financial management practices
Education, Experience and Requirements
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in general ledger accounting practices
  • Wine or consumer beverage product accounting experience preferred
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related discipline
  • Experience with QuickBooks and/or NetSuite preferred
  • Proficient in MS Office with advanced MS Excel skills
  • Sharp attention to detail with good oral and written communication skills
  • Able to work in a team environment as well as operate independently
  • Able to lift 40+ lbs
  • Valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record
  • 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).
Apply online:
https://www.longmeadowranch.com/careers

Thursday, April 18, 2019

How to Avoid Rookie Mistakes on a Job Interview

HELP WANTED: HOW TO AVOID ROOKIE MISTAKES ON A JOB INTERVIEW 



Great information for job seekers from Katherine Rothman of KMR Communications. 

Whether you are in college seeking an internship, or further on in your career and looking to advance your position, making basic and careless mistakes on a job interview can cost you that opportunity even if you have the experience, credentials, and intelligence.

First impressions count!
If you are in doubt, studies have shown that within the first seven seconds of meeting, people will have a solid impression of who you are — and some research suggests a tenth of a second is all it takes to start determining traits like trustworthiness.  Katherine M. Rothman is the CEO of KMR Communications, a public relations firm she founded at the age of 28. The firm specializes in beauty, health and fitness PR.  Since the agency’s inception in 1998, Ms. Rothman has interviewed hundreds of applicants for positions ranging from interns to directors and vice presidents.

Here are 14 tips on interviewing straight from the CEO herself: 

Don’t Be Late
Ms. Rothman really dislikes the excuse, of, “I’m sorry I am 15 minutes late, I didn’t know where to park.”  When you confirm the interview time and place, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ask questions about where to park. If it sounds like it might be mildly confusing, do a dry run to the interview location so that you don’t drive around aimlessly minutes before the interview. When you show up late to an interview, you seem unreliable, unorganized, and you have to dig yourself out of a black hole by making a really amazing impression.

Be on Your Best Behavior the Moment You Enter the Building
From the minute your feet enter the building of the interview, assume that anyone you encounter could be a potential interviewer. If you are talking on a cell phone in the lobby, censor your conversation and comments. In the elevator, make polite eye contact with everyone. Treat the receptionist like royalty!   If you use the restroom prior to the interview, give a nice hello to anyone you encounter. The person who was just your stall mate could be the head of HR!

Research the company
Google the company. Visit their website. Know who their clients, are, what they do, who they serve, who their competition is, and find out what sets them apart from their other businesses in their field. It is important to do your research prior to the interview. It will give you greater command of the topics you will be asked about and make you feel more confident which will transmit into a better impression. If you are asked why you want to work at company XYZ, you will be able to answer intelligently and specifically instead of in a cookie cutter manner.

Dress to Impress 
Do your best to do some sleuthing and find out what the culture of the company is.  Perhaps read some reviews on Glassdoor, Google, or ask friends.
If the company is artsy, it’s better if you don’t come in looking like a corporate stiff. Conversely, if the atmosphere is corporate, ripped jeans and a tank top won’t get you far. When in doubt, it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. When you are asked back for a second-round interview you can better tailor your attire to the office norm.

Don’t Let Your Body Language Give You Away- Skilled interviewers are adept are reading non-verbal clues, i.e. body language. Most likely, the handshake will be your only moment of physical contact with the interviewer. Studies say that handshakes play a significant role in first impressions, so make it count. Your shake should be neither bone crushing, nor limp fish. Aim for a firm handshake, and as you shake, make eye contact and smile. Once seated, do not slump, fidget or lean back in your chair which can signal boredom or arrogance. Lean slightly forward to indicate interest. Don’t cross your arms as this can make you look defensive or like you are hiding something.

Don’t Give Cliché Answers to Questions
If you are asked what your best qualities are, avoid saying, “I am an organized, self-starter and team player and my biggest weakness is that I am a perfectionist.” These may all be true but find another way to state these attributes. Instead, if asked about a weakness, choose a real weakness and put a positive spin on it. You may say, for example, “I always want to meet my deadlines, but sometimes in doing so, I rush too much.  I am trying to slow down and be more meticulous.”

Don’t talk incessantly and ramble on
You are being judged on how articulate you are and how you present yourself in a corporate situation. An interview should not be your own monologue. Answer the questions concisely and wait for the interviewer to ask the next. As you are speaking, try to gauge if you are keeping the interviewer engaged in what you are saying.  If their eyes are glazed over and they are tapping their pen, you have spoken enough.

Ask not what the company can do for you, ask what you can do for the company
To loosely paraphrase JFK on his inauguration speech, make it clear how your skills can help the company you are interviewing with. A first interview should not be about, how many vacation days do I get? Do you have a 401K? Do you have summer hours?
What are your benefits? These questions should be saved for second round interviews when the company has indicated that they have a sincere interest in you. Round 1 should be strictly about what you bring to the table.

Wipe Your Social Media Clean of Anything That is Embarrassing or Simply Don’t Post That Content in the First Place
A company need not be the FBI to find pictures/comments that pertain to you on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  Be mindful of what you are posting. Anything that looks undignified, shows illegal activity, prejudice, anger management issues or castes you in a poor light can be a mark against you even if you had a stellar interview. Watch your social media, one post is not worth the sacrifice of your dream job!

Remove Tongue Piercings, Nose Piercings and Cover Large Tattoos
These things may be en trend with your age group, however, if you are interviewing with a conservative company, these might negate you right away. The same would go for pink hair or other extreme styles for men and women.  I am not saying having your own sense of style and living outside the box are bad things, it can be quite fabulous. But in reviewing the environment of the company you want to work for, consider if the way you are presenting yourself showcases you as the best candidate to represent the culture of that company. When you are entrusted with the interests of a company you become an ambassador. You need to adapt to that company. 

Do not walk in smelling like you sampled every fragrance in a department store
If you must wear fragrance, keep it light and subtle. Fragrance is a very personal thing. The last thing you want is an interviewer sneezing with watery eyes because you have gone overboard on the perfume or cologne. 

Bring Ample Resumes
If you are meeting with one or even several people, there is nothing that makes you look more unprepared than assuming the interviewer has your resume handy. Make sure that you carry ample resumes in a professional looking portfolio/binder so that the paper is not wrinkled when you hand it over.

Don’t forget to write a thank you
Write a thank you follow-up e-mail to every person with whom you met. Do this even if you do not want the position.  It’s a small world and being polite goes a long way! If you want the position, and it comes down to you and another candidate with identical credentials and you are the one who writes the note, most likely you will be “the chosen one.”


Don’t be silent when the interviewer asks at the end if you have remaining questions
Too often, applicants say, “no, thanks I think you covered everything.” You may feel you are being polite by saying this, but you actually come across as disengaged and docile. Come up with at least one thought-provoking question that refers to something the interviewer commented on or asked.  


Friday, April 5, 2019

WineTalent Classifieds: Controller for Wine Country Business

WineTalent is working with our client Long Meadow Ranch to find a Controller in their St. Helena offices.

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.

Long Meadow Ranch has a unique opportunity for a Controller to join our management team. Reporting to the VP of Finance, the Controller is responsible for review and forecasting of cash flow, implementation and monitoring of policies and procedures, recommendations for continuous improvement, and general accounting functions for multiple affiliated entities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This position will manage the accounting team. Direct reports include Assistant Controller, Financial Analyst as well as the Accounts Payable Specialist. The Controller responsibilities require ethical conduct and thoroughness, along with critical thinking, attention to detail and time management.

Responsibilities
Implement, maintain, and follow a comprehensive set of policies and procedures, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
Manage and support the financial close cycles including preparation of journal entries and reconciliations
Oversight and management of daily accounting tasks including: accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, bank reconciliations, and daily banking tasks
Supervise periodic inventory counts and maintain a perpetual inventory system for non-financial inventory reporting
Support the budgeting and cash forecasting processes.
Approve and monitor billing activity as processed by the Accounts Payable Specialist, ensuring accuracy of accounts payable coding by departmental managers
Ensure accuracy and completeness of company sales in financial accounting software, reconciling monthly
Record inter-company accounting transactions as deemed necessary
Serve as primary contact for auditors. Oversight, preparation, and submittal of financial information in accordance with lender requirements. Monitor, track and report on all required external compliance
Participate as a team member on key business initiatives, including cost accounting, workflow management, and customer correspondence protocol
Evaluate, recommend and implement policies, procedures and systems related to company efficiency, productivity and internal controls
Solicit and act on feedback from manager, peers, and other business partners
Contribute ideas, energy, enthusiasm, and support to continuous improvement of processes
Perform other duties as assigned


Education, Experience and Requirements
Minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting and finance
In-depth knowledge of accounting software, NetSuite and QuickBooks experience a plus.
NetSuite implementation experience strongly desired.
Proficient in MS Office including PowerPoint with advanced MS Excel skills
Wine, consumer beverage product or manufacturing accounting experience strongly preferred
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related discipline
Experience with e-commerce and POS systems, Truvi or WineDirect preferred
Vineyard and Farming specific accounting experience, a plus
Sharp attention to detail with good oral and written communication skills
Able to work in a team environment as well as operate independently
Able to lift 40+ lbs.
Valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record
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).

TO APPLY:  Please visit 
https://boards.greenhouse.io/lmr/jobs/1632515?gh_jid=1632515 


All Inquiries will be kept strictly confidential. 

WineTalent: The Right People for the Job