Head of Wine in Newbury

We have a confession to make… We like wine. Quite a lot. We like discovering it, talking about it, selling it, drinking it, learning about it and, most importantly, making sure our guests have a brilliant time because of it. So we're looking for someone who feels the same. Someone who knows their Chardonnay from their Chablis, their Rioja from their Ribera, and — perhaps most importantly — knows that wine is at its best when it's shared with people.

This role is based out of The Mitre by Hampton Court, West London. Although regular travel around our hotels and to suppliers will also be required. The Mitre is a refined, relaxed boutique hotel on the banks of the River Thames next to Hampton Court Palace. Easily commutable by train or car - this is a great place to work and become part of the Signet family.

What will you actually be doing?

• You'll have a wonderfully broad brief spanning wine, people, purchasing, operations, training, events, partnerships and commercial performance.
• Be our wine guru. You'll become the go-to person for all things wine across the collection.
• You'll support our teams with wine knowledge, service and selling, making sure our guests receive confident, engaging and genuinely enjoyable advice.
• You'll spend time in our hotels, joining teams during service, delivering brilliant briefings and getting stuck in on the floor.
• You'll support the selection of wines across our hotels, working with suppliers to source exciting products and build strong relationships.
• You'll negotiate pricing and supplier contracts, manage wine investments and keep a close eye on our wine lists, GP and margins.
• You'll oversee pricing, price lists, stock levels and purchasing, making sure the commercial side of wine is every bit as well considered as the liquid in the bottle.
• You'll help us create and host drinks-related events, from Wine Supper Clubs to other brilliant and slightly more unexpected beverage experiences.
• You'll work with our suppliers and partners to create meaningful annual partnerships across our hotels.
• You'll have responsibility for quarterly and annual strategy, forecasting sales and costs, monitoring performance and keeping a close eye on outgoing costs.
• You'll help manage revenue, costs and purchasing systems, create P&Ls for events and partnerships and manage third-party agencies and vendors.

What will you bring to our table?

• We're looking for more than a brilliant palate. You'll need proven Wine and Beverage management experience and genuine industry knowledge, along with a passion for food, wine and hospitality.
• You have the ability to make our teams care about wine.
• You'll need to be a qualified Sommelier, at least up to Level 3.
• Communication skills - you will be able to stand in front of 20 people and make wine training feel less like training and more like a very good afternoon.
• You will not be a 'snobby somm.'
• You will have great written English and grammar, with very good IT skills.
• Commercial insight. We want to sell wine people love, but also wine that makes sense, financially.

What You’ll Get from Us

• An excellent starting salary, depending on skill and experience.
• Discounted rates across our restaurants and hotels for you, family and friends to enjoy.
• Stream - access up to 40% of your pay before pay date, and save directly from your salary.
• Your Wellbeing Hub - powered by Hospitality Action, from a 24/7 employee assistance programme, to gym classes, to nutritious recipes, to clinical counselling.
• 28 days’ holiday (including Bank Holidays) + birthday off.
• Team recognition programme to celebrate your achievements.
• Referral bonus scheme for recommending top talent - earn up to £1000.
• Long Service Awards - dinners for two with all the trimmings, complimentary room stays with breakfast and dinner, theatre tickets to see The Lion King, and so much more.

If this sounds like you - come and make wine a little more Signet.