St. Francis Winery and Vineyards
Group Event Sales & Business Development Manager
St. Francis Winery and Vineyards, Santa Rosa, California, us, 95402
Job Type
Full-time
Description
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is an ultra-premium winery located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. We are a certified sustainable family-owned winery whose commitment to excellence has resulted in continued recognition for our award-winning wines and our outstanding wine & food pairing experiences. We are proud of all of our accomplishments, including being voted one of the Best Places to Work in the North Bay by our employees 13 years in a row.
We are currently recruiting for a Group Events & Sales Business Development Manager who will be responsible for providing management and support, as well as overseeing and coordinating staff and activities involved in the booking, planning, and implementation of group visits and events, including corporate, trade, private and winery events. Facilitates property tours for clients, fields guest calls for group reservations, and creates complete and detailed Banquet Event Orders, and posts in a timely manner for the Management and Kitchen teams.
The position is responsible for developing business programs for the DTC Department resulting in long-term sales growth. Identifies business opportunities and builds long-term relationships with customers. Evaluate the performance of current programs and finds ways to help Consumer Direct Sales reach its full potential. Initiates development, implementation and management of sales and marketing initiatives throughout all DTC Departments including Tasting Room, Wine Club, Phone & Internet Sales and Events. Reporting to this position will be the Guest Services Supervisor and the Reservationist positions.
This position requires flexibility of schedule and the ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as necessary for weddings and other events. The typical schedule will be Tuesday-Saturday. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position.
The anticipated salary range for this position is between $80,000.00 and $95,000.00 plus annual bonus.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Events
•Sell and prepare arrangements with clients for functions that are confirmed.
•Coordinates activities involved in the planning and implementation of Events, including corporate, trade, private and internal winery events. Responsibilities include booking events, obtain all pertinent information concerning the event, such as the size of the party, menu, set up details, billing details, coordinate with vendors when necessary, equipment (in-house and rental), materials and handling all client communication.
•Review, and have a thorough understanding of all banquet event information to coordinate scheduled events.
•Assist in the management of the Event activities and staff to ensure success of events and exceptional customer service at all times.
•Ensure all products and supplies are ordered and within budget for each booking/event and that they correspond to client's specifications, where applicable.
•Greet client prior to the onset of function and ensure an introduction is made to their Banquet Captain for that event.
•Hosts site visits when necessary.
•Understand internal business practices to include appropriate accounting of revenue and costs for each event, including wine sales.
•Responsible for management, scheduling and maintenance of the Events Calendar and Events client database.
•Welcome guests at arrival of events and captain events when necessary.
•Process payments from clients.
•Manage and schedules Event Staff as necessary, to include servers, bussers, and contractors/vendors.
•Assist with maintaining quality relationships with customers that include private individuals, corporate event coordinators, wedding planners and vendors, destination management companies, winery vendors, colleagues and management. Ensure that appropriate communication takes place during all phases of events, planning, execution and follow-up to ensure ongoing relationship is promoted and maintained.
•Create timelines for events and elopements; act as the contact for delivery of rentals, flowers, baked goods, etc.
•Create event orders.
•Work with the Marketing department to create and produce all printed materials.
•Manage ticketed reservations for winery dinners and respond to guests inquiries about allergies, etc.
•Inform staff of special requests or changes that will affect either the food production or services for an event.
•Special projects and other responsibilities as assigned.
Weddings
•Work closely with wedding planning partner to reserve booked dates.
•Ensure wedding planning partner has client insurance information on file.
•May be asked to supervise site during weddings and set-up the bridal suite as needed.
•Coordinate the client wine tastings, purchases and maintain proper storage and inventory counts as needed.
•Schedule Event staff needed to work weddings.
Business Development
•Understand target markets, including industry, company, project, company contacts and which market strategies can be used to attract new and repeat clients in all areas of DTC.
•Possess a strong understanding of our products, our competition in the industry and positioning.
•Evaluate effectiveness of existing programs and execute the implementation of changes as needed to achieve plan objectives (driving traffic and sales), including concierge outreach programs, outbound sales partnerships, etc.
•Evaluate Event clients and partners for strategic approach to building loyal business, seated tastings and additional opportunities.
•Generate ideas to promote increased wine club signups, sales and brand loyalty, in collaboration with the Wine Club and Tasting Room Managers.
•Evaluate and develop programming and systems to measure and/or improve data collection throughout DTC Departments.
•Follow the latest industry developments and stay up-to-date on corporate competitors.
Operations
•Oversee and guide the Reservationist position and the Guest Services Supervisor position.
•Address any issues that may arise; referring problems that need addressed and resolved to the Director of Consumer Sales & Marketing.
•In the event of accidents or injuries, ensure appropriate emergency services are notified, arranges for employees to receive medical assistance, including transportation to medical facilities when non-urgent care is needed. Perform accident/injury follow-up, including providing employees with appropriate paperwork, in conjunction with designated Safety representatives conducts investigations to determine causes of accident, identifies, recommends, and implements necessary steps to avoid accident reoccurrence.
•Works with Dir. Of Consumer Sales & Marketing and VC Management Team to make sure Event staff is kept up to date relative to new releases, limited quantities and sold-out wines. Communicates appropriate information to Events staff.
•Fully support the Winery's commitment to established Safety practices and policies to safeguard employee safety, company property and environmental considerations.
•Responsible for compliance with Winery's sustainability policies and practices which are economically viable, socially acceptable, environmentally sound and support conservation, energy efficiency and recycling.
Requirements
•Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, related field or equivalent experience, i.e., hospitality, sales or guest relations management.
•Minimum of 5 years of wine industry-related experience. Direct To Consumer related experience preferred.
•Minimum of 3 years supervisory experience in the hospitality industry.
•Minimum 2 years directly related experience in the wine or food service industry, related education, or equivalent combination.
•Demonstrated experience in providing high hospitality standards consistent with guests' expectations of a prestigious brand.
•Knowledgeable and passionate about wine.
•Exemplary sales skills.
•Exceptional customer service skills, including the ability to anticipate customer needs and respond appropriately.
•Strong, confident public speaking and presentation skills.
•Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
•Highly organized and detail oriented, with strong multi-tasking and time management skills.
•Ability to remain calm under pressure and handle challenging customers in a professional and courteous manner.
•Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, database management systems and POS systems.
•Ability to work weekends and holidays as well as flexibility in scheduling to ensure business-staffing needs are met.
•Must be at least 21 years of age.
•Valid CA driver's license.
St. Francis Winery and Vineyards is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a divers and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)
Full-time
Description
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards is an ultra-premium winery located in the heart of the Sonoma Valley. We are a certified sustainable family-owned winery whose commitment to excellence has resulted in continued recognition for our award-winning wines and our outstanding wine & food pairing experiences. We are proud of all of our accomplishments, including being voted one of the Best Places to Work in the North Bay by our employees 13 years in a row.
We are currently recruiting for a Group Events & Sales Business Development Manager who will be responsible for providing management and support, as well as overseeing and coordinating staff and activities involved in the booking, planning, and implementation of group visits and events, including corporate, trade, private and winery events. Facilitates property tours for clients, fields guest calls for group reservations, and creates complete and detailed Banquet Event Orders, and posts in a timely manner for the Management and Kitchen teams.
The position is responsible for developing business programs for the DTC Department resulting in long-term sales growth. Identifies business opportunities and builds long-term relationships with customers. Evaluate the performance of current programs and finds ways to help Consumer Direct Sales reach its full potential. Initiates development, implementation and management of sales and marketing initiatives throughout all DTC Departments including Tasting Room, Wine Club, Phone & Internet Sales and Events. Reporting to this position will be the Guest Services Supervisor and the Reservationist positions.
This position requires flexibility of schedule and the ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as necessary for weddings and other events. The typical schedule will be Tuesday-Saturday. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position.
The anticipated salary range for this position is between $80,000.00 and $95,000.00 plus annual bonus.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Events
•Sell and prepare arrangements with clients for functions that are confirmed.
•Coordinates activities involved in the planning and implementation of Events, including corporate, trade, private and internal winery events. Responsibilities include booking events, obtain all pertinent information concerning the event, such as the size of the party, menu, set up details, billing details, coordinate with vendors when necessary, equipment (in-house and rental), materials and handling all client communication.
•Review, and have a thorough understanding of all banquet event information to coordinate scheduled events.
•Assist in the management of the Event activities and staff to ensure success of events and exceptional customer service at all times.
•Ensure all products and supplies are ordered and within budget for each booking/event and that they correspond to client's specifications, where applicable.
•Greet client prior to the onset of function and ensure an introduction is made to their Banquet Captain for that event.
•Hosts site visits when necessary.
•Understand internal business practices to include appropriate accounting of revenue and costs for each event, including wine sales.
•Responsible for management, scheduling and maintenance of the Events Calendar and Events client database.
•Welcome guests at arrival of events and captain events when necessary.
•Process payments from clients.
•Manage and schedules Event Staff as necessary, to include servers, bussers, and contractors/vendors.
•Assist with maintaining quality relationships with customers that include private individuals, corporate event coordinators, wedding planners and vendors, destination management companies, winery vendors, colleagues and management. Ensure that appropriate communication takes place during all phases of events, planning, execution and follow-up to ensure ongoing relationship is promoted and maintained.
•Create timelines for events and elopements; act as the contact for delivery of rentals, flowers, baked goods, etc.
•Create event orders.
•Work with the Marketing department to create and produce all printed materials.
•Manage ticketed reservations for winery dinners and respond to guests inquiries about allergies, etc.
•Inform staff of special requests or changes that will affect either the food production or services for an event.
•Special projects and other responsibilities as assigned.
Weddings
•Work closely with wedding planning partner to reserve booked dates.
•Ensure wedding planning partner has client insurance information on file.
•May be asked to supervise site during weddings and set-up the bridal suite as needed.
•Coordinate the client wine tastings, purchases and maintain proper storage and inventory counts as needed.
•Schedule Event staff needed to work weddings.
Business Development
•Understand target markets, including industry, company, project, company contacts and which market strategies can be used to attract new and repeat clients in all areas of DTC.
•Possess a strong understanding of our products, our competition in the industry and positioning.
•Evaluate effectiveness of existing programs and execute the implementation of changes as needed to achieve plan objectives (driving traffic and sales), including concierge outreach programs, outbound sales partnerships, etc.
•Evaluate Event clients and partners for strategic approach to building loyal business, seated tastings and additional opportunities.
•Generate ideas to promote increased wine club signups, sales and brand loyalty, in collaboration with the Wine Club and Tasting Room Managers.
•Evaluate and develop programming and systems to measure and/or improve data collection throughout DTC Departments.
•Follow the latest industry developments and stay up-to-date on corporate competitors.
Operations
•Oversee and guide the Reservationist position and the Guest Services Supervisor position.
•Address any issues that may arise; referring problems that need addressed and resolved to the Director of Consumer Sales & Marketing.
•In the event of accidents or injuries, ensure appropriate emergency services are notified, arranges for employees to receive medical assistance, including transportation to medical facilities when non-urgent care is needed. Perform accident/injury follow-up, including providing employees with appropriate paperwork, in conjunction with designated Safety representatives conducts investigations to determine causes of accident, identifies, recommends, and implements necessary steps to avoid accident reoccurrence.
•Works with Dir. Of Consumer Sales & Marketing and VC Management Team to make sure Event staff is kept up to date relative to new releases, limited quantities and sold-out wines. Communicates appropriate information to Events staff.
•Fully support the Winery's commitment to established Safety practices and policies to safeguard employee safety, company property and environmental considerations.
•Responsible for compliance with Winery's sustainability policies and practices which are economically viable, socially acceptable, environmentally sound and support conservation, energy efficiency and recycling.
Requirements
•Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, related field or equivalent experience, i.e., hospitality, sales or guest relations management.
•Minimum of 5 years of wine industry-related experience. Direct To Consumer related experience preferred.
•Minimum of 3 years supervisory experience in the hospitality industry.
•Minimum 2 years directly related experience in the wine or food service industry, related education, or equivalent combination.
•Demonstrated experience in providing high hospitality standards consistent with guests' expectations of a prestigious brand.
•Knowledgeable and passionate about wine.
•Exemplary sales skills.
•Exceptional customer service skills, including the ability to anticipate customer needs and respond appropriately.
•Strong, confident public speaking and presentation skills.
•Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
•Highly organized and detail oriented, with strong multi-tasking and time management skills.
•Ability to remain calm under pressure and handle challenging customers in a professional and courteous manner.
•Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, database management systems and POS systems.
•Ability to work weekends and holidays as well as flexibility in scheduling to ensure business-staffing needs are met.
•Must be at least 21 years of age.
•Valid CA driver's license.
St. Francis Winery and Vineyards is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a divers and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)