Chicago Winery-Restaurant Manager
Chicago Winery creates magic for our guests everyday, whether that’s bringing a dream wedding to life, creating a new delicious food dish from our wine, or letting people discover a new passion on one of our winery tours. We do this while maintaining an approachable, warm, inclusive, down-to-earth attitude that reflects our passion to bring traditional winemaking into urban centers so people don’t feel they have to travel to experience the magic of winemaking.
We are searching for team members who are committed to working as hospitality professionals. People who deeply care about creating a friendly, warm experience for our guests. People who live and breathe passion for food, wine and events. People that love to learn, share, and tell others about their stories and adventures.
Position Summary
At Chicago Winery, we seek leaders with an entrepreneurial spirit and a team player mentality who strive to make a positive impact on their team, our guests, and the community. The Restaurant Manager will manage the day-to-day operations of Liva Restaurant, the Tasting Room, and Private Dining Events. Key responsibilities include executing the steps of service with fostering a positive and cohesive environment for staff. This role requires managing a strong team through effective training and coaching of the hourly staff. The Restaurant Manager will focus on delivering high levels of hospitality and exceptional guest experiences by nurturing a culture of teamwork and engagement. Success in this role also involves building a strong presence with our guests and clients to help cultivate repeated business for our venue.
Core Responsibilities
Staff and Leadership Development
- Support the General Manager in all aspects of restaurant, private event and tasting bar operations
- Manage all hourly staff ensuring adherence to all company policies. Support the General Manager to provide training and education, ongoing coaching, counseling and development of all restaurant, and tasting room staff members including real-time feedback as well as performance reviews
- Provide leadership and direction to hourly staff during service to create a superb and consistent customer experience
- Manage and discipline staff in accordance with company policy and procedures
- Responsible for maintaining business and staff compliance with local regulations and requirements.
Hospitality and Customer Experience
- Ensure a strong emphasis is placed on hospitality and steps of service through proper and regular training of the team.
- Ongoing interaction with guests to ensure positive experiences and promptly address any complaints
- Interface with the culinary to ensure proper delivery and coordination of food service that meets guest and client’s expectations and Company’s standards
- Manage reservations including, but not limited to, responding to reservation inquiries, large party requests, special reservations, and general OpenTable maintenance
- Manage and respond to guest reviews - this includes following up on poor reviews and celebrating great reviews with the team.
Business and Operational Results
- Work closely with the culinary team to ensure the restaurant, tasting room, and private dining operations are up to standards.
- Assist the General Manager with all liquor ordering i.e. beer, and N/A beverages and garnishes
- Work with General Manager to maintain appropriate cost controls around labor and products (China/glass/silver, paper goods, beverage, etc)
- Manage scheduling and staffing of Front of House employees and maintain fully staffed operations
- Knowledgeable about all of food and drink recipes to standards and be able to execute them
- Maintain a positive, productive, organized, and safe environment for all employees
- Manage the execution of Private Dining Events.
- Work with the Restaurant General Manager in the implementation of relevant marketing promotions and specials
- Performs other duties as assigned by the General Manager
Job Requirements
- 3 + years as a Restaurant Manager in a full service, fast paced restaurant environment
- Knowledge of and appreciation of wine strongly preferred
- Must have a deep passion for service, hospitality, and providing memorable guest experiences
- Ability to identify operational challenges on shift and provide a solution in the moment
- Proficient financial acumen and the ability to understand data, budgets and manage financial performance.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interface with guests and clients; must demonstrate professional phone and business etiquette
- Ability to establish productive relationships with key stakeholders at all levels
- Maintain a positive and adaptable approach to problem solving and have a team player mentality
- Must demonstrate proficient knowledge and use of computer and basic programs (e.g., POS,Google Workspace docs, sheets, etc.)
- Detail oriented and exceptional organizational skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, competently handling demanding deadlines
- Must have a flexible schedule with the ability to work weekends, nights and holidays
- Servsafe Management Certification preferred
- TIPs Certified
Physical Requirements
- Able to independently lift up to 25lbs for an extended period of time
- Must be able to walk and/or stand for 8-10 hours per day
- Hand-eye coordination
- Reaching, bending twisting, stooping
- Pushing and Pulling
- Lifting overhead
- Must be able to climb stairs in venue that have multiple level
Compensation/Benefits
- $65,000k-$70,000k annually
- Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance
- PTO
- Paid Sick Time
- 401K
- Commuter Benefits
Chicago Winery provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type 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.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.