Head Sommelier

**Position**: Head Sommelier (Full time #539465)

**Property / Office**: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

**Location**: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

**Responsibilities**:

- Report to duty punctually wearing the correct uniform, clean and well pressed including appropriate shoes (polished) and nametag at all times according to the hotels dress code & grooming standards, maintaining a high standard of personal appearance and hygiene at all times.
- A courteous, professional and efficient service is provided at all times.
- All duties and tasks are performed as per the tasks required at the outlet.
- Be knowledgeable of all services and products offered by the hotel.
- Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of all food and beverage items offered by the department assigned.
- Have the knowledge and understanding to explain and perform upselling all items offered by the department assigned as well as offering alternatives.
- Have extensive knowledge of wine, and all its service standards.
- Monitor operating supplies, equipment and reduce spoilage and wastage successfully.
- Ensure that the place of work and surrounding area is kept clean and organized at all times.
- Successfully perform opening and closing procedures established for the assigned outlet.
- Have a deep understanding of the restaurant P&L and financial targets.
- Handle guest enquiries in a courteous and efficient manner.
- Being knowledgeable to operate the existing POS system based on the trained responsibility level as assigned in the department.
- Understand and strictly adhere to the rules & regulations established in the hotel’s policy manual and the hotel’s policy on fire, hygiene, health & safety.
- Maintain a good rapport and work relation with staff in the assigned department and within the hotel.
- Attend and contribute to all staff meetings, departmental trainings and hotel-initiated trainings scheduled.
- Undertake reasonable tasks and secondary duties as assigned by the Department Head.
- Respond to any changes in the department as dictated by the hotel management.
- Assist in carrying out scheduled inventories of products and operating equipment.
- Carry on regular or scheduled inventories of alcohol products, in coordination with the hotels cost control team.
- Perform any other assigned reasonable duties and responsibilities as assigned.
- Project at all times a positive and motivated attitude and exercise self-control.
- Have an excellent understanding of food in general, ingredients and preparations to ensure the right beverages can be recommended. With a strong focus on wine sales.
- Have an excellent understanding of today’s wine trends, ratings as well as understands the business and regularly develops further to gain greater knowledge.
- Have an excellent understanding of wines, wine service and is able to hold trainings to the team to encourage sales, and follow goals set by the Department Head.
- Be able to control stocks, produce efficient costing of wines, as well as perform excellent recommendations to guests.
- Be knowledgeable about Wine Service and Wine production.
- Be fully knowledgeable about grapes and grape varieties.
- Have accomplished all internal wine trainings offered by the hotel.
- Build relations with suppliers, negotiate trade deals, tastings for the team, all in coordination with the Beverage Manager of the hotel.
- Reports to Restaurant Manager / Restaurant General Manager.
- Additional responsibilities and tasks can be added at any time according to the needs of the business and of the hotel.

**Skills and Requirements**:

- Certification as a Sommelier or a degree in hospitality will be an advantage.
- Previous experience as Sommelier in a standalone restaurant is required, resort experience is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and sales skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills

**Advertised**: 16 May 2024 Arabian Standard Time
**Applications close**: 15 Jun 2024 Arabian Standard Time