La Hacienda Tequila Sommelier

About the role

The Tequila Sommelier enhances the La Hacienda dining experience by delivering expert knowledge, personalized recommendations, and elevated beverage experiences centered around tequila, mezcal, and premium spirits. This role drives restaurant revenue by increasing dinner capture, enhancing guest engagement, supporting large party and group opportunities, and creating memorable tasting experiences. Working closely with the La Hacienda General Manager, the Tequila Sommelier will help develop and manage the spirits, wine, and tequila program while creating marketing, PR, and special event opportunities that showcase the restaurant's unique beverage offerings.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests by personally offering and up-selling a selection of cocktails, the impressive selection of over 240 tequilas, tequila flights, margaritas, freshly muddled mojitos, sangrias, and other Mexican cocktail favorites—all prepared with fresh-squeezed juices and fruit purees—in a sommelier-type role on the floor nightly when open
• Responsible for ordering, inventory, and maintenance of the tequila offering and program
• Conduct continuous tequila training with the service team and provide complete training for all new hires
• Assist in pre-shift meetings and educate the team on new and exciting information and trends of the tequila and beverage program
• Assist greeter staff to welcome and bid farewell to all guests and ensure guests receive responsive, professional, and gracious service
• Assist service staff with all aspects of the dining experience when needed during high volume times (e.g., flaming coffees, bar service, bussing, food running)
• Answer questions regarding the menu, specific food items, the tequila and wine list, or any other guest inquiries
• Drive post- and pre-dinner beverage sales in the tequila room
• Promote restaurant and tequila tastings with resort leisure services team, requesting referrals for private paid tastings
• Promote restaurant private dining and tequila tastings with area concierges and businesses
• Promote, expand, and take ownership of La Hacienda Happy Hour to the local market
• Create unique special event experiences with the Restaurant Sales Manager to drive large party sales
• Host local concierges, caddies, networking groups, and on-property key departments to promote the La Hacienda experience
• Represent the restaurant at local culinary events while promoting private dining room, beverage, and private tasting sales
• Make direct sales calls to local corporate executives and sales offices to promote restaurant private dining room sales and private tasting room experiences
• Promote and create special on-property activities and events to enhance La Hacienda dinner offerings and increase capture for in-house guests
• Work with PR and marketing teams to promote La Hacienda, the Tequila Sommelier position, and the tequila beverage program exclusively
• Create new and creative initiatives to promote for the La Hacienda marketing program seasonally
• Provide ongoing training of new staff on the beverage program
• Champion the Passion Project experience
• Champion the Greeter team and training program
• Work on the floor as seen fit by the La Hacienda General Manager
• Conduct in-house and local sales outreach

Qualifications

• At least 2–3 years of experience at the Four or Five Diamond level required
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) an asset
• Must be able to demonstrate above-intermediate mathematical skills and calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Must have a Food Handler's card and Alcohol Awareness Certification

Skills

• Extensive food and wine knowledge, specifically tequila
• Strong sales-oriented qualities and strong desire to succeed
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Extensive knowledge of Spanish spirits, cocktail techniques, and culture
• Creativity to foster new cocktails and tequila flights
• Experience working with a broad set of clienteles and the ability to understand their different tastes and preferences
• An interest in expanding their professional horizons on their own
• Ability to work with front and back of house staff