Job Description
We are seeking a dedicated and dynamic Wine Bar Manager to oversee daily operations at our wine bar and tasting room located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. This position is perfect for a hospitality professional who thrives in an intimate, service-oriented setting, where creating a warm, engaging environment meets operational excellence.
About the Role
As Wine Bar Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of our wine bar, delivering exceptional guest experiences, leading a small team, and supporting private events. Your role will be central to cultivating a hospitality culture that combines education, warmth, and precision, ensuring that every guest feels like they've discovered something truly special.
Key Responsibilities
Guest Experience & Service Excellence: Lead front-of-house operations to create a consistently welcoming atmosphere. Collaborate with the Director of Hospitality to train staff to deliver exceptional service through education, hospitality, and storytelling.
Operations & Inventory Management: Oversee day-to-day service, manage reservations, maintain inventory, and ensure smooth POS and cash handling procedures.
Sales & Wine Club Engagement: Proactively drive wine sales, encourage wine club sign-ups, and foster repeat business by building strong guest relationships.
Private Events & Hospitality Programming: Assist with inquiries, coordinate logistics, and manage private tastings, wine dinners, and special events in collaboration with the team.
Staff Leadership & Training: Hire, train, and mentor a small team of wine and service professionals. Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and enthusiasm.
Marketing & Community Engagement: Support social media, email marketing, and local outreach efforts to raise awareness and engage the community.
Compliance & Best Practices: Ensure adherence to ABC regulations, food safety, labor laws, and all operational standards.
Who We're Looking For
An experienced hospitality professional with a background in wine bars, tasting rooms, or upscale restaurants.
Someone passionate about wine, food, and hospitality, with knowledge of Santa Barbara wines (or the world of wine in general) and a desire to share that knowledge.
A strong leader who can inspire and motivate a team, fostering a positive, accountable work environment.
A hands-on individual who is adaptable and willing to jump in wherever necessary to ensure an exceptional guest experience.
Preferred Experience & Skills
At least 2 years of lead or management experience in hospitality (wine bar, tasting room, restaurant, or similar).
Strong wine knowledge (WSET or CMS certifications are a plus but not required).
Experience with POS, reservations, and CRM systems (Tock, Square, Commerce7, etc.).
Proven track record of driving sales, engaging customers, and building wine club memberships.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and special events.
Compensation & Benefits
$70,000 - $80,000 annual salary
Performance-based incentives
Membership enrollment incentives
Employer-sponsored health insurance
401K Retirement Plan
Paid time off
Join Our Team!
This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of one of Santa Barbara's premier wine destinations. If you're a hospitality leader with a passion for wine and a desire to create unforgettable guest experiences, we'd love to meet you!
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $ 70,000.00 80,000.00 Per Year
Job Tags
Full time, Local area, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,