WineTalent Classifieds: Beverage Manager at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch

WineTalent is working with our client Long Meadow Ranch on a Beverage Manager role at Farmstead. Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned and operated producer and purveyor of world-class wine and food that is economically successful and socially responsible using diversified, sustainable, and organic farming methods.

Long Meadow Ranch’s restaurant at Farmstead showcases the seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking of executive chef Stephen Barber. Housed in a former nursery barn, our 110-seat restaurant features an authentic farm-to-table menu. The ingredients are foraged from local sources and feature Long Meadow Ranch’s award-winning wines, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables.

Long Meadow Ranch has an exciting opportunity for a Beverage Manager to join our restaurant management team to ensure the delivery of a consistent, customer focused experience and oversee the beverage program including wine, beer and spirits. The Beverage Manager will provide staff training and coaching to reach operational excellence. Actively involved on the restaurant floor, the Beverage Manager will provide supervision of the staff and will address customer service issues. Additionally this role will be managing the day-to-day responsibilities and development of the beverage program.

Responsibilities:

Actively engage in service for the majority of working hours. Directly perform hands-on work on an ongoing basis to manage employee performance, provide feedback and coaching, and otherwise model appropriate behaviors in the restaurant. Lead by example and maintain a strong floor presence. Support staff throughout the day - get your hands dirty.
Ensure positive guest experience in all areas. Respond promptly to customer feedback and take action to resolve guest issues. Maintain guest satisfaction by monitoring and auditing food, beverage and service offerings. 
Build relationships with preferred patrons, recognize special occasions and PX guests.
Maintain standard operating procedures as established by the General Manager.
Ensure that all food safety, food quality standards, workplace safety standards, customer service standards and company policies are met. Comply with all Department of Environmental Health food safety regulations.
Maintain a facility that is safe, secure and healthy as well as consistently “inspection ready” in all areas including front of house and back of house. Develop standard operating procedures; determine and implement system improvements as needed.
Under the direction of the General Manager, assist with the recruitment, selection, training, scheduling, counseling and discipline of front of house staff. Lead daily pre-shift meetings and communicate menu features, service points and beverage training.
Open and close the restaurant as needed. Support the team when a manager is away on leave or sick.
Keep the General Manager fully informed of all issues and take prompt corrective action where necessary or suggest alternate courses of action.
Maintain a favorable working relationship with all company employees to foster and promote a cooperative, positive and respectful workplace culture. 
Administrative and General:

Meet beverage program objectives by analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions; developing and implementing strategies to increase beverage sales.
Identify opportunities to control beverage costs. Work closely with the General Manager to develop procedures and execute the monthly beverage inventory processes.
Direct the beverage purchase process, including the timing and receiving of orders and invoice settlement.
Oversee proper storage areas and storage temperatures for beverages.
Continually research vendor possibilities, pricing, service, and evaluate vendor relationships to the benefit of the company.
Manage the maintenance, upkeep and data entry of the beverage inventory program Bevager.
Be responsible for the general cleanliness, presentation and operations of the indoor and outdoor bar areas.
Follow established plans for training including food & wine education, one-on-one training, communication of company standards & policies and Long Meadow Ranch brand training.
Approve and code purchases and submit promptly to the finance team.
Collaborate with the finance team to process end of month accounting procedures in a timely manner, following company procedures.
Follow existing systems to manage the ordering of restaurant supplies, usage and organization.
Identify competing businesses and propose to the General Manager changes to the offerings and operations of the restaurant to stay relevant. 
Qualifications and Requirements

3+ years of management experience in a fast paced, fine dining restaurant.
Experience with restaurant software including HotSchedules, Bevager, Aloha, and Open Table are a plus.
Proficiency with Google suite and MS Office products.
Proven commitment to creating a great first impression with the ability to consistently provide excellent guest experiences.
Strong organizational and communication skills to manage staff, interact with management and respond to guests’ needs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to lift 40+ lbs.
Valid CA 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).