Job Title: Printemps Wine Director
Reports To: Wine Director, Kent Hospitality Group / Director of Operations, Printemps
ABOUT PRINTEMPS:
Storied French luxury retailer, Printemps, is preparing to open its first ever US location at One Wall Street in the heart of the Financial District.
Located in the historic 50-story landmark, Printemps will have five distinct food and beverage concepts ranging from a casual cafe to a fine dining brasserie. Food and beverage is helmed by Top Chef Alumnus and 3-time James Beard Award Winner, Chef Gregory Gourdet.
ABOUT KENT HOSPITALITY GROUP
Kent Hospitality Group (KHG) is a dynamic and innovative hospitality company founded by visionary Chef Jamal “James” Kent and entrepreneur-led private equity platform SC Holdings. KHG comprises Michelin Star restaurants, private members clubs, and world class venues. We are dedicated to delivering fine dining, unmatched hospitality, and first-rate experiences across North America. We are seeking creative go-getters to join our team to help elevate our brand.
Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and dynamic Wine Director to oversee the wine programs for our various dining experiences within Printemps. This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping and maintaining an outstanding selection of wines, educating the team, and ensuring that our beverage offerings elevate the overall guest experience in line with the luxury brand and our commitment to excellence. The Wine Director will collaborate closely with and report to the Corporate Wine Director to ensure alignment with broader company strategies and standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Wine Program Development & Management:
○ Curate, maintain, and continually evolve the wine lists for the casual fine dining restaurant, cocktail bar, raw bar, and champagne cart, ensuring a well-rounded, seasonally appropriate, and diverse selection.
○ Ensure that all wine programs are tailored to complement the unique dining experiences in each area, from casual pairings at the raw bar to high-end selections at the champagne cart.
○ Build and manage relationships with wine distributors, sommeliers, and vineyard partners to source exclusive and premium selections.
○ Oversee wine inventory management, including ordering, storage, and rotation to ensure freshness, quality, and cost control.
○ Monitor wine pricing strategies to align with the overall financial goals of the business.
- Collaboration with Corporate Wine Director:
○ Collaborate closely with the Corporate Wine Director to align the wine programs with corporate wine strategies and standards across all locations.
○ Regularly communicate with the Corporate Wine Director to share performance reports, inventory updates, and any challenges or opportunities related to the wine offerings.
○ Contribute to the development and implementation of company-wide wine initiatives, seasonal campaigns, and strategic planning for wine-related events.
- Team Leadership & Staff Education:
○ Train, mentor, and lead the restaurant, bar, and service staff on wine knowledge, pairing techniques, and sales strategies.
○ Foster a collaborative environment that emphasizes guest education about wine, encouraging staff to confidently suggest wines to enhance the guest experience.
○ Conduct regular tastings, staff meetings, and one-on-one coaching to deepen the team’s understanding of the wine selection and its role in the overall dining experience.
- Guest Experience & Service Excellence:
○ Provide exceptional wine recommendations and personalized service to guests, enhancing their experience at every touchpoint.
○ Oversee wine service protocols to ensure wines are presented, stored, and served correctly and efficiently.
○ Engage with guests and help to cultivate a wine culture within the restaurant and other beverage areas by offering bespoke recommendations and educating them about new or unique selections.
- Collaboration & Strategy:
○ Work closely with the Executive Chef and management teams to design wine pairings, tasting menus, and special wine events that align with the overall concept and seasonal offerings of the venue.
○ Stay updated on industry trends, new wine regions, and emerging styles, incorporating these into the offerings and positioning the programs as innovative and distinctive.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience (5+ years) in a wine-related role, preferably as a Wine Director or Beverage Manager, with a strong background in managing wine programs across multiple dining concepts.
- Extensive knowledge of global wine regions, varietals, and trends, with an ability to communicate this knowledge effectively to both staff and guests.
- Certification from a recognized wine or sommelier association (e.g., Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET) is preferred.
- Experience in working within the luxury hospitality sector or a similar high-end environment is a plus.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to inspire and lead a team.
- A deep passion for wine and fine dining, with an unwavering commitment to excellence in service and guest experience.
- Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage inventory, budgets, and vendor relationships.
