At a Glance
- Tasks: Recommend wines and provide expert knowledge to enhance guest experiences.
- Company: Join Raffles London, a historic venue with a vibrant atmosphere.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, staff meals, and discounts at Accor worldwide.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and elevate guest experiences with your wine expertise.
- Qualifications: Previous customer service experience and a passion for exceptional service.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal growth and fun events await you!
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Company Description: Raffles London at The OWO on London’s Whitehall unites the allure and heritage of Raffles with one of the world’s most historic addresses. This fine Grade II* Edwardian building has been transformed into a spectacular stage for dazzling celebrations; with fine dining, lively bars, the latest in wellness and beauty therapies, the most luxurious suites and rooms, versatile ballroom and event space. At Raffles, you arrive as a guest, leave as a friend and return as family.
Job Overview: The Sommelier is responsible for recommending wines and having a thorough and current knowledge of wines to deliver an excellent guest and member experience. A Sommelier will also be required to assist in achieving department targets. The role demands the highest standards of service, knowledge, and professionalism.
Scope of Position: As a Sommelier, you will recommend wines and provide a thorough and current knowledge of wines to deliver an outstanding guest experience, as well as assist in achieving department targets. You will perform all tasks to the highest standards.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for inventory of wines
- Provide professional and current knowledge of wines to guests
- Recommend wines to accompany relevant dishes
- Handle all customer inquiries in an appropriate and professional manner
- Accurately manage all transactions during service
- Describe and upsell wines to provide an excellent customer experience
- Suggest wines to accompany new menus in line with financial budget
- Ensure accurate billing
- Additional responsibilities in absence of line manager or senior employee
- Perform other duties as required or assigned, including working in a different department or restaurant than usually assigned
Leadership:
- Ensure that revenue targets are met as set out in the annual budget
- Continually review and identify with your manager areas to increase revenue
- Ensure continued awareness and understanding of the industry and local markets
Health and Safety:
- Ensure that all potential and real hazards are reported immediately and rectified
- Be fully conversant with all departmental Fire, Emergency and BOMB procedures
- Emergency procedures are rehearsed regularly with attendance records, implemented and enforced to provide for the security and safety of guests and employees
- Ensure the safety of the persons and the property of all within the premises, by strict adherence to existing laws, statutes and applicable ordinances, and by anticipating possible and probable hazards and conditions and either correcting them or pre-planning a defence against them
- Stimulate and encourage a general awareness of Health and Safety in relation to all tasks and activities undertaken in the department
Qualifications, Skills & Experience:
- Excellent leadership skills where a positive environment culture is created by strong values
- Creative
- Compassionate
- Intuitive & masterful
- Nurturing & supportive
- Open minded
- Previous experience in a customer service role in the hotel/leisure/retail sector
- Good grooming standards
- Excellent communication skills
- Passion and commitment to delivering exceptional levels of guest service
- Previous relevant experience as a Sommelier
Benefits:
- 28 days holiday including bank holidays plus a day extra for every year of your service up to 5 years (35 Days)
- Staff meals while on duty
- Free dry cleaning for uniform
- Employer pension contribution of 3%
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Life Assurance 1x salary
- Employee assistance program, including virtual GP and financial advice
- Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme
- Colleague gifting to celebrate special occasions
- Paid days off to move house or give back time to a charity of your choice
- Internal learning and development programmes tailored to you
- Fun-filled events, whether that’s a pub quiz, team run or festive party
- Employee benefit card offering discounted rates of up to 30% at Accor worldwide and Raffles London F&B outlets
- Worldwide development opportunities across Accor’s extensive brand portfolio
Raffles Values:
- Be You: Be creative, innovative, and enthusiastic, showing your personality and flair.
- Be Kind: Demonstrates humility and generosity through emotional connection with colleagues and guests.
- Be Happy: Consistently uplifting colleagues and guests through a joyful connection and positive personality.
- Be Confident: Openly shares knowledge and skills with other colleagues to achieve excellence.
- Have Your Purpose: Demonstrating care and responsibility within your role, to make a tangible impact on the business.
Sommelier employer: Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Contact Detail:
Raffles Hotels & Resorts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sommelier
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend wine tastings, industry events, or even local meet-ups. The more people you know in the business, the better your chances of landing that Sommelier role at Raffles London.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your wine knowledge! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your favourite wines and pairings. This will demonstrate your passion and expertise, making you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Raffles family.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions. Think about how you’d handle customer inquiries or upsell wines. Being confident and knowledgeable will help you shine during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Sommelier
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Wine: When writing your application, let your love for wine shine through! Share any relevant experiences or knowledge you have about different wines and how they enhance the dining experience. We want to see your enthusiasm!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Sommelier role at Raffles London. Highlight your previous experience in customer service and how it aligns with our values of kindness and creativity.
Be Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to inject a bit of your personality into your application. We’re looking for someone who can connect with guests and create memorable experiences, so let us see the real you!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Raffles London!
How to prepare for a job interview at Raffles Hotels & Resorts
✨Know Your Wines
Brush up on your wine knowledge before the interview. Be prepared to discuss different types of wines, their regions, and how they pair with various dishes. This will show your passion for the role and your commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since the role involves a lot of guest interaction, think of examples from your past experiences where you went above and beyond for a customer. Highlighting these moments will demonstrate your ability to create memorable experiences, which is key for a Sommelier at Raffles.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Raffles' values and mission. During the interview, reflect these values in your answers. Show that you can embody their ethos of being creative, kind, and confident, which will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This could be about the wine selection process or how the team collaborates to enhance guest experiences. It shows your genuine interest in the role and the company.