Tasting Room Manager

Tasting Room Manager — Position Description

Who We Are

Mission: Soldier Creek Winery is proud to provide our visitors with premium wines produced onsite from locally grown grapes. Our family-owned winery integrates agriculture, winemaking, and hospitality to create a welcoming destination that fosters education, connection, experiences, and enthusiasm for wine.

Vision: Soldier Creek Winery will become a leading destination for wine, gatherings, and rural tourism in Iowa. We will create a place where people come together to celebrate, host meaningful events, learn about wine, and connect with agriculture. Through a collaborative team culture and commitment to quality, we will grow sustainably while inspiring pride in our employees, our customers, and our region.

Position Overview

We are seeking an organized, guest-focused leader to manage the day-to-day operations of our tasting room. The Tasting Room Manager is the heart of our hospitality team — overseeing staff, coordinating events, and ensuring every visitor has a memorable experience at Soldier Creek Winery. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and takes pride in both the details and the big picture.

Position Type: Part-time (approx. 30 hours/week)

Compensation: $540/week

Schedule: Wednesday–Saturday. Wednesday and Thursday hours are flexible and may be used for administrative work, scheduling, event coordination, and preparation.

Hours & Schedule

Regular tasting room hours:

• Friday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Saturday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Sunday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Additional availability required for private events scheduled outside of regular hours. Event dates and times will be communicated in advance. Flexibility is appreciated as private events are a key part of our business.

Key Responsibilities

Staff Management & Scheduling

• Directly supervise and support tasting room hosts, providing guidance, training, and performance feedback
• Build and distribute monthly staff schedules, ensuring adequate coverage during all operating hours and events
• Serve as the primary point of contact and resource for tasting room employees
• Foster a positive, guest-focused team environment and uphold service standards
• Communicate promotions, upcoming events, and marketing updates to tasting room staff to ensure the team is informed and prepared
• May also serve as an active tasting room host during open hours, working alongside staff on the floor as needed

Guest Experience & Communications

• Answer phones and respond to guest inquiries in a timely and professional manner
• Coordinate wine pickups and sales outside of winery hours, acting as the go-to contact for guests and clients
• Ensure a consistent, welcoming atmosphere that reflects the values and brand of the winery

Event & Space Management

• Set up and prepare the tasting room for private events, tastings, and special programming
• Serve as the primary liaison for private event renters, managing communication from initial inquiry through event execution
• Coordinate logistics, room layouts, and staffing needs for all events
• Responsible for opening and closing the tasting room for both regular business hours and private events
• Ensure the space is maintained, stocked, and guest-ready at all times

Operations & Administration

• Send regular tasting room updates to staff, including menu changes, product releases, policy updates, and scheduling notes
• Monitor inventory of tasting room supplies and coordinate restocking as needed
• Track and report on key metrics such as visitor counts, event revenue, and staff hours
• Assist with point-of-sale systems, wine club operations, and other administrative tasks as needed

Required

• 2+ years of experience in hospitality, food & beverage, or a related field
• Prior supervisory or team lead experience
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Flexibility to work a Wednesday–Saturday schedule, including evenings and during special events
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout a shift
• Ability to lift and carry cases of wine or supplies (up to 40 lbs)
• Comfortable working in both indoor and outdoor environments depending on event setup
• Ability to perform light physical setup tasks including moving furniture, tables, and decor for events
• Fluency in the English language, Spanish language skills are a welcome bonus

Preferred

• Experience in a winery, brewery, or tasting room environment
• Knowledge of wine, viticulture, or beverage service
• Experience coordinating private events or working with event clients
• Familiarity with scheduling software and point-of-sale systems

What We Offer

• A welcoming, team-oriented work environment
• Hands-on wine and grape education — we provide full training on our wines, varieties, and vineyard
• Employee discounts on wine purchases
• Opportunity to be part of a growing winery and its community
• Involvement in special events and exclusive wine experiences

To apply, please visit us at https://www.soldiercreekwinery.com/career-application