WineTalent Classifieds: Cost Accountant in the Napa Valley

WineTalent is working with our confidential client on a Cost Accountant role within the Napa Valley.

About the Company:  Our client is a well-respected and long-established winery in the Napa Valley.  The company has several brands with widespread distribution and a strong direct-to-consumer business.  

About the Position:  The Cost Accountant will apply the principles of accounting to analyze financial information and prepare financial reports by compiling information, preparing account reconciliations, and utilizing appropriate accounting control procedures.  The Cost Accountant provides accounting support in inventory, COGS reporting and analysis, account reconciliations, monthly close activities and end of year accounting resolution. 

Responsibilities:  

• Assists in month-end accounting close by performing accurate and timely completion of assigned financial close activities. 
• Performs complex analysis functions, reviews sub-ledger transactions and posts entries to general ledger accounts. 
• Responsible for the preparation of more complex account reconciliation and analysis.
• Perform analysis and forecasts on project and operational production costs.  
• Recommends and supports improvement opportunities and/or risks based on review and analysis of variances. 
• Develop and report key metrics to senior management. 
• Applies cost principles to analyze project costs and reconcile variances.
• Supports audit and regulatory requests, generates ad hoc analyses reports ensuring needed financial information is presented clearly, consistently, and on time.  

• Assists with specialized and complex assignments.

Requirements:

• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or closely related discipline.  Experience in lieu of a degree will also be considered.

• Can-do attitude, with at least 5 years of closely related work experience.

• Knowledge of finance, accounting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. 

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with NAV, Adaptive Planning and Vintrace strongly desirable. 

• Experience in manufacturing (including but not limited to wine industry) accounting highly desirable.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.

• Proven effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing, working with various levels throughout an organization.

Compensation and Benefits:

• This is a full-time, salaried position

• Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, paid time off and 401(k).

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

Apply today: Email resume to amy@winetalent.net

WineTalent Classifieds: Texas Sales Representative

WineTalent is working with our confidential client on a sales role based in Houston, Texas.  The Sales Representative will actively represent the winery in the Houston area and within the Texas state market. This position will be responsible for managing relationships with the distributor sales team, key accounts, and wine buyers in the area. The winery is a boutique, luxury wine project featuring a talented winemaking team and excellent estate fruit.

Responsibilities:
·   Manage the Texas market through new account prospecting, key account development, existing account relationship management and fostering a strong partnership with the distributor.
·     Actively network with key decision makers to increase new sales opportunities and build on past sales successes.
·     Working with the company’s management and sales team, set up sales goals and account lists.
·     Working independently, manage daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly sales activities to create a strong presence of the wines in the market.
·     Actively sell to on-premise and off-premise accounts both in partnership with wholesale team and through self-initiated sales calls.
·     Identify and manage relationships with high volume and/or high potential accounts.
·     Foster relationships with luxury dining, lodging and hospitality venues. This includes private club and resort accounts.
·     Represent the winery at select trade and consumer events.

Qualifications and Requirements:
·     Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business or closely related field. Work experience in lieu of a degree will also be considered
·     At least 3 years of fine wine sales in the Texas market.
·     Proven experience selling luxury wine brands to both on-premise and off-premise accounts.
·     Past work experience in a distributor sales role highly desirable.
·     Established relationships with buyers in private venues such as country clubs, yacht clubs, etc.
·     Experience with Bordeaux varietals and blends. Excellent tasting palate with an appreciate of Bordeaux blends and Cabernet Sauvignon.

·     Ability to manage travel requirements within the Texas territory with 50% of time being in the Houston market and 50% being in other markets in the state.

·     This position will require travel throughout the Texas market and could also include additional support in nearby states.  The travel expectation is approximately 50%.  This requires overnight travel and will include car and airline transportation.  

·     Ability to take ownership of sales responsibilities in the market.
·      Participation in night and weekend events.
·     A dedication to hard work and “getting the sale.” Smart and tenacious salespeople only need apply.

All Inquiries will be kept strictly confidential

If you are interested in applying, please email your resume to amy@winetalent.net

WineTalent: The Right People for the Job

WineTalent Classifieds: Western Regional Sales Manager

WineTalent is working with our confidential winery client on a Regional Sales Manager to represent the winery on the West Coast. The Western Regional Sales Manager will be representing the winery in conjunction with a marketing company to manage distributor partners. This role will also be working directly with customers. The position will be managing the broad market in CA, AZ, NV, WA, OR, ID, MT, UT, WY, AK and HI.

Responsibilities:

• The Western Regional Sales Manager will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships in the western states with the marketing partner and within the current distributor network.
• Work closely with the marketing partner on pricing, programming and incentive plans.
• Represent the winery in the region through market visits, travelling on average 3 weeks per month.
• Enhances the winery’s brand image by developing and executing market promotions.
• Work with key on and off premise accounts to develop relationships and foster the growth of the brand in the market place. Call on key accounts to develop new sales opportunities and expand distribution.
• Manage special sales projects including winemaker/owner dinners, VIP tastings and industry events.
• Ensure distribution goals of the company are met or exceeded to meet the business objectives of the company.
• Maintain a regular schedule of account calls on national & regional account customers.
• Regularly meet with marketing company and distributors to ensure execution of marketing strategies and to achieve performance objectives.
• Maintain pricing throughout the Western region to deliver desired wine list, BTG and retail price point targets and profitability.
• Maintain great communication flow between the different stakeholders
• Track shipments and depletion reports. Work to eliminate any discrepancies.
• Monitor & communicate lack of inventory to marketing partner and distributor
• Review and monitor depletion and account sold data by market by SKU on a weekly/monthly/quarterly and annual basis
• Weekly reports to superior

Qualifications and Requirements

• Experience representing a winery brand in the market.
• Have established relationships with the sales marketing team, distributors and/or brokers in the market.
• At least 5 years of wine sales experience in the market for either a supplier or a distributor.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, Communications or related required.
• WSET or additional wine education highly desirable.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related productivity packages.

To apply:  Please email your resume to amy@winetalent.net.  

All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

WineTalent:  The Right People for the Job

WineTalent Classifieds: Service Manager at Farmstead

WineTalent is working with our client, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch on a Restaurant Manager position. 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 Restaurant Service Manager to manage the delivery of a consistent, customer focused experience.  Under the direction of the General Manager, the Service Manager will provide staff training and coaching to reach operational excellence. Actively involved on the restaurant floor, the Service Manager will provide oversight of the staff and will address customer service issues.  This role will also manage the day-to-day operations of the restaurant including ordering product and optimizing profits.

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 role model appropriate behaviors in the restaurant.  Lead by example and maintain a strong floor presence. Support staff throughout the day- get your hands dirty.
• Maintain procedures and standards for team service.  Correct and coach employees as needed.
• Ensure positive guest experience in all areas.  Respond promptly to complaints 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.
• 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.  Following systems established by the General Manager, maintain facilities as needed including mechanical systems, equipment, operation of lights, music and decor.
• Maintain standard operating procedures as established by the General Manager.
• Under the supervision of the General Manager, manage the recruitment, selection, training, counseling and discipline of front of house staff.  Maintain written documentation of discipline on company templates.
• Lead daily pre-shift meetings and communicate menu features, service points and beverage training. Develop weekly focus topics for service points.
• Open and close the restaurant as needed.  Support the management team when someone on the team is out on leave or sick.
• Keep the General Manager fully informed of all issues and take prompt corrective action when 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.
• Collaborate with the General Manager to develop an effective plan for training including food & wine education, one-on-one training, communication of company standards & policies and Long Meadow Ranch brand training.
• Conduct regular staff performance reviews and provide growth opportunities.
• Meet restaurant financial objectives by helping to analyze variances; initiate corrective actions; develop and implement strategies to increase average meal checks.
• Order restaurant supplies as needed including coffee, tea, guest supplies, menu paper.  Approve and code invoices per company standards and policies.
• Be responsible for all cash handling, banking and accounting procedures including end of day reconciliation and tip cash out systems.
• Follow up on credit card charge inquiries.
• Support Events Operations Manager with oversight and execution of private events
• Attend weekly BEO meetings to facilitate communication from events sales team to execution team.
• Post sales and close payments at the conclusion of each event.
• Oversee rental equipment load-in and check-out as needed.
• Act as a main contact for the client during the event and provide regular communication and feedback to the kitchen.
• Coordinate and supervise daily operation of meeting setups and service.
• Control of labor costs and inventory of event equipment.

Qualifications and Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in a fast paced restaurant.
• Proven experience managing and coaching service staff in a fast paced restaurant setting.
• Strong organizational and communication skills to manage staff, interact with management and resolve customer service issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record.
• A pre-employment background check is required.
• Able to lift 40+ lbs.

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).

All inquiries are completely confidential.

WineTalent:  The Right People for the Job

WineTalent Classifieds: Hospitality Managers for B Cellars

WineTalent is an executive search firm focused on the wine industry; we have been retained by B Cellars to lead the search for the Hospitality Management team. Now in its fifth full year of operation on the Oakville Cross Road, B Cellars Vineyards and Winery is seeking a hospitality management team to manage and facilitate front and back of the house functions in support of the in-person direct-to-consumer sales efforts. The Hospitality Manager will also support the telesales and customer relations programs. This is a dynamic, multi-functional role that directly contributes to the exceptional guest experience at B Cellars.  

Description: The Hospitality Manager will work as part of the hospitality management team to provide support to the hospitality staff, to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures and to maintain the highest attention to the guest experience. Working with fellow managers, this role will oversee staff scheduling, training and coaching. The Hospitality Manager also manages the merchandising and supply inventory of the Hospitality House. Working to provide consistent messaging to staff and guests, the Hospitality Manager will interface with the marketing team on the website and with the PR firm on communications. This will also include managing the sales and marketing calendar. Additionally the role oversees the shipping and fulfillment of wine orders.  

Responsibilities:
Hospitality House:
•  Act as Manager on Duty for the Sales Team
•  Handle the role of a Maitre d’ for the Hospitality House
•  Scheduling Guides, Concierges, and Navigators
•  Managing Concierges and Navigators
•  Managing Guides in their Hospitality capacity
•  Supervision of hospitality team
•  Manage merchandising
Marketing:  
•  Manage B Cellars website
•  Manage B Cellars PR and Social Media firm
•  Manage B Cellars sales and marketing calendar
•  Produce and update copy, collateral, etc.
Shipping/Fulfillment:
•  Manage inventory
•  Manage shipping
•  Manage dry goods and paper goods inventories

Qualifications and Requirements
•  Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, Communications or related discipline.
•  At least 10 years of hospitality management including tasting room, event management, .

Compensation and Benefits
•  This is a full-time, salaried position. 
•  Co-pay comprehensive medical plan.
•  Matching funded Simple IRA retirement plan.
•  Vacation, sick-day and holiday pay.

All communications will be kept strictly confidential.

WineTalent: The Right People for the Job

WineTalent Classifieds: Winemaker in Mendocino, CA

WineTalent is working with our client, Redwood Valley Cellars, to find a Winemaker to manage the production and cellar team, and to serve as the leader of the winemaking team.  This position oversees the wines from vineyard to bottle, as well as working with custom crush clients to produce quality wines for their wine programs. The Winemaker will be handling the overall management, direction and coordination of strategic planning for the family owned, 1.2 million case custom crush and storage facility.  Additionally, the Winemaker will be handling all of the winemaking activities for the company’s estate grown, organically farmed, Barra of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards brands.  This position will interact closely with other departments to support the brand in the market, to represent the company at trade events, and to manage business relationships. 

Responsibilities: 

Production:

·      Manage and direct production processes to maximize capacity and efficiency

·      Adherence to safety, quality, regulatory compliance and the company’s vision. 

·      Assure effective communication among production staff including consulting winemakers and other staff as well as with other departments, managers and owners.

·      Promote strong relationships with custom crush clients. 

·      Effectively and timely manage production issues and consistently reach satisfactory resolutions. 

·      Ability to troubleshoot and create new SOP’s to eliminate production problems, ensure safety and increase efficiency.

·      Lead the Safety Management Committee

·      Direct the winemaking team in daily execution of Work Orders including record keeping.

·      Direct supervision of winemaking team and cellar crew.

·      Hire, train and coach winemaking and cellar team, including harvest cellar crew.

·      Work collaboratively with the Chief Operations Officer for the purchase and maintenance of production equipment and winemaking supplies.

Administration:  

·      Responsible for compliance with local, county, state and federal agencies.

·      Budget preparation and management of production to budget.

·      Assistance with administrative tasks as needed to ensure a highly functioning operation.

Qualifications and Requirements: 

• 10 or more years of winemaking experience in a similar sized winery.
• Prior personnel management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Enology, Fermentation Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.  Industry work experience will also be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
• Knowledgeable of all cellar equipment and an understanding of proper use, maintenance, sanitation and repair.
• Excellent mechanical aptitude
• Effective communication skills to manage the production team, interact and support other company departments and ensure strong relationships with custom crush clients.
• Microsoft Office experience.  AMS fluency highly desirable.
• Valid Driver’s license.
• Spanish language skills a plus.

Compensation and Benefits:

·       This is a full-time, salaried position.

All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.  Please visit www.winetalent.net for contact information to email your resume to us.  

WineTalent:  The Right People for the Job

Happy New Year: Make Getting that New Job a Reality with WineTalent

New Year, New You

Are you looking to get a better job in 2018?  Is your resolution to advance your career?  No better time than now to see what job opportunities WineTalent is working on.  We Need YOU!  Click here to find out what we are recruiting on.





Current Recruitments Include:  

• Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch Restaurant General Manager
• Accounting Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Winery Ambassador:  Luxury Portfolio
• Midwest Sales Manager
• National Accounts Sales Manager

WineTalent Classifieds: Accounting Manager Ranch and Winery Operations

WineTalent is working with our client, Long Meadow Ranch, on an Accounting Manager position. 

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. We produce award-winning wines, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables.
Long Meadow Ranch has a unique opportunity for an Accounting Manager to join our administration to provide quality customer service to our ranch and winery management team, our business partners, our customers and our vendors. Reporting to the Controller, the Accounting Manager will be responsible for review and forecasting of cash flow, implementation and monitoring of policies and procedures, recommendations for continuous improvement, and general accounting functions for Long Meadow Ranch Partners, L.P. and LMR Wine Estates LLC in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This position requires ethical conduct and thoroughness, along with critical thinking, attention to detail and time management. 
The Accounting Manager will follow generally accepted accounting practices, adhering to the policies and procedures set forth by the company. 

•  Maintain a comprehensive set of accounting policies and procedures.
•  Prepare journal entries and perform reconciliations in support of monthly and year-end close.
•  Manage daily accounting tasks including: accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, bank reconciliations, and daily banking tasks.
•  Supervise farm production periodic inventory counts and maintain perpetual inventory system for non-financial inventory reporting (tons/lbs/etc).
•  Assist with the budget/reforecasting and cash forecasting processes. Approve and monitor billing activity as processed by the Accounts Payable Specialist. Ensure accuracy of accounts payable coding and work with appropriate departmental manager if billed incorrectly. Record overhead allocations as needed.
•  Ensure accuracy and completeness of LMR Wine Estates LLC direct-to-consumer sales in financial accounting software, reconciling monthly.
•  Record royalty revenue and other intercompany accounting transactions as deemed necessary. 
•  Monitor, track and report on all required external compliance for Ranch entity, including organic certifications, water system compliance, etc.
•  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 the continuous improvement of the process.
•  Other duties as required.

Education, Experience and Requirements
•  Minimum of 3 years of experience in general ledger accounting practices
•  Wine or consumer beverage product accounting experience required
•  Farming and livestock specific accounting experience, a plus
•  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related discipline
•  In-depth knowledge of Accounting Software including QuickBooks
•  Experience with Targit or similar sales and depletion reporting software
•  Experience with ecommerce and POS systems, WineDirect preferred
•  Proficient in MS Office including PowerPoint 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).

 

All communications will be kept strictly confidential

 

WineTalent:  The Right People for the Job