Sommelier

Sommelier

Job Description

DEPARTMENT: Front of House

REPORTING INTO: Wine Manager/ General Manager 

PLACE OF WORK: Ambassadors Club House, 1245 Broadway, New York NY 10001

(short walk from Penn Station, PATH and Herald Square)

JOB OVERVIEW:
The Sommelier is responsible for curating, managing, and elevating the wine program to complement the guest’s overall experience. This role ensures guests receive expert guidance, seamless service, and memorable wine and beverage pairings that enhance their culinary journey. The Sommelier also assists in wine education for staff and cellar management. A Sommelier must uphold the standards of excellence that define JKS, professional etiquette and compliance with all health and labor regulations. 

RATE OF PAY: $11/hour plus tips, FLSA eligible for overtime

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide an exceptional level of hospitality, cultivating warm and genuine relationships with our guests to ensure their satisfaction and loyalty.
• Take a proactive approach to customer service, anticipating and addressing guests' needs and preferences before they arise.
• Provide suggestions to continue to develop, curate, and maintain a distinguished wine list that complements the restaurant’s cuisine and concept.
• Help manage inventory, including storage, rotation, and cellar organization.
• Provide tableside wine service, including recommendations, decanting, and proper presentation.
• Offer expert pairing suggestions to enhance the guest dining experience.
• Address guest concerns or special requests with discretion and care.
• Conduct ongoing wine and beverage training for front-of-house staff at pre-shift to ensure product knowledge and confident service.
• Stay current on global wine trends, regional developments, and fine dining best practices.
• Attend briefings, meetings, and training sessions to stay informed about menu offerings, service protocols and industry best practices.
• Complete relevant checklists and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain consistency and quality in service delivery.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum (2) years in an upscale or similar position
• Good time-management and teamwork skills
• Pride in appearance.
• Proactive in learning about food, beverage and wine.
• Warm and professional in communicating with guests.
• Constantly strive to improve personal and professional development.
• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods of time and lift up to 50 lbs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are to be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be ALL responsibilities or qualifications of the job.

JKS Restaurants (dba: Ambassadors Clubhouse) is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.