SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
A prestigious luxury boutique hotel in Durban is seeking an exceptional Sommelier & Duty Manager to lead its wine programme while overseeing operational excellence during designated shifts.
This unique role combines the artistry of a world-class sommelier with the leadership responsibilities of a hospitality manager. The successful candidate will curate an outstanding wine experience for guests, manage a premium cellar collection, deliver exceptional tableside service, and support the daily operations of the hotel to ensure seamless guest experiences.
This opportunity is ideal for a passionate wine professional who thrives in luxury hospitality environments and enjoys engaging with discerning local and international guests.
The Role
As Sommelier & Duty Manager, you will be responsible for developing and managing the hotel's wine programme, including cellar management, wine pairings, staff training, and guest engagement. In addition, you will oversee hotel operations during designated shifts, ensuring service excellence across all departments.
You will play a key role in creating memorable dining experiences, driving beverage revenue, and maintaining the exceptional standards expected within a luxury boutique hotel environment.
The successful candidate will possess extensive wine knowledge, strong operational leadership skills, and a passion for delivering personalised guest experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Wine Programme & Cellar Management
- Curate and continuously develop an exceptional local and international wine list.
- Source premium, rare, and limited-allocation wines that enhance the hotel's offering.
- Manage the wine cellar, inventory, stock rotation, and storage conditions.
- Monitor wine costs, stock levels, and inventory controls.
- Oversee wine purchasing and supplier relationships.
- Maintain accurate cellar records and stock valuations.
- Develop wine pairing recommendations aligned with seasonal menus and culinary experiences.
Guest Experience & Beverage Service
- Provide expert wine consultations and pairing recommendations to guests.
- Deliver engaging and memorable tableside wine service.
- Assist VIP guests with bespoke wine and beverage experiences.
- Create a welcoming and educational environment for guests interested in wine and whisky appreciation.
- Support private dining experiences, tastings, events, and special functions.
- Handle guest feedback and service recovery professionally.
Team Development & Training
- Conduct regular wine tastings and training sessions for front-of-house teams.
- Develop staff knowledge of wines, spirits, food pairings, and luxury service standards.
- Mentor and support service teams to enhance guest experiences and beverage sales.
- Promote a culture of continuous learning and service excellence.
Duty Management & Hotel Operations
- Oversee hotel operations during assigned shifts.
- Conduct operational briefings and coordinate departmental activities.
- Monitor guest service standards across all operational areas.
- Assist with VIP arrivals, departures, and guest requests.
- Resolve guest concerns and operational challenges efficiently.
- Ensure staff presentation, grooming, and service standards are maintained.
- Support emergency response procedures, health and safety compliance, and operational controls.
- Coordinate with housekeeping, food and beverage, spa, maintenance, and front office teams to ensure seamless guest experiences.
Minimum Requirements
- Recognised Sommelier qualification such as International Sommelier Guild, Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET Level 3 or higher, SASA Certification, or equivalent.
- Minimum 5 years' experience as a Sommelier within a luxury hotel, fine dining restaurant, private members' club, luxury lodge, or premium hospitality environment.
- Previous Duty Manager, Restaurant Manager, Food & Beverage Manager, or hospitality leadership experience advantageous.
- Strong knowledge of South African and international wines, vintages, wine regions, and food pairings.
- Experience managing high-value wine inventories and premium beverage programmes.
- Knowledge of cellar management, stock control, and supplier negotiations.
- Strong understanding of luxury hospitality and guest service standards.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities.
- Hospitality management systems experience advantageous.
- Ability to work flexible hours, evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a charismatic hospitality professional who combines exceptional wine expertise with strong operational leadership skills. They are passionate about creating memorable guest experiences and possess the confidence to engage with high-net-worth individuals, corporate guests, and international travellers.
They understand that luxury hospitality is about storytelling, personalisation, and attention to detail, and are committed to maintaining world-class standards across both the wine programme and hotel operations.
What We're Looking For
- Advanced wine and beverage expertise
- Luxury hospitality experience
- Strong guest engagement and relationship-building skills
- Exceptional communication and presentation abilities
- Experience with cellar management and premium wine collections
- Strong leadership and operational management skills
- Fine dining and luxury service knowledge
- Ability to educate and inspire hospitality teams
- Commercial awareness and revenue-generation mindset
- Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
- Professional presence and attention to detail
- Passion for wine, hospitality, and exceptional guest experiences
If you are a passionate wine professional and hospitality leader looking for a unique opportunity within a luxury boutique hotel environment, we would love to hear from you.
