Happy Labor Day from Career Advice

Here at Career Advice, we value hard work, and greatly appreciate everyone out there who is contributing to our local, national and global economies.  Labor Day may simply seem like a day off at the beginning of September, but it is a day honoring the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.

Labor Day became a US federal holiday in 1894.  It symbolizes the end of summer for many of us, and I am looking forward to celebrating it with some time on the water, and with family and friends.

Labor Day may be celebrated by many of us the first Monday of September, but in the wine industry, many production folks don't get the day off.  Mother nature marches to her own drummer, and only she knows when the fruit will be ripe for picking and when the fermentations will start for winemaking.  For all of my friends working over this Labor Day weekend, please know that everyone greatly appreciates all your hard work, and we hope you'll have an opportunity for some rest and relaxation once crush is over.

To everyone out in the wine community, thank you for all of your hard work.

Career Advice

WineTalent Classifieds: Hospitality Manager in St. Helena

WineTalent is working with our confidential client in St. Helena, CA, to find an experienced hospitality professional to lead the hospitality team at the winery.

Job Description:  Situated in the heart of the Napa Valley, WineTalent�s client is seeking a Hospitality Manager to oversee the staff and manage the guest experience at a busy tasting room on the Silverado Trail.   Working with colleagues from the wine club team, the Hospitality Manager will be directing the tasting room, facilitating wine club sign-ups, managing wine sales and overseeing hospitality events.  This position will be managing a team of 10 tasting room personnel as well as a few key hospitality support personnel.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily tasting room operations including staffing. 
• Handle outreach to business partners including destination management companies, tour providers and wineries. 
• Manage wine and non-wine sales including shipping, inventory management and providing top-line customer service when necessary.
• Ensure the tasting room is stocked with all necessary items including stemware, wine supplies, retail goods and related items.
• Market winery�s hospitality program within local community, to wine enthusiasts and to business partners. 
• Manage and build VIP and key customer relationships.
• Determine areas where improvement is needed and put systems in place to correct and improve. 
• Manage tasting room within annual company budget and periodically make adjustments to maximize profitability

Qualifications:

• 2 or more years in a hospitality management position within the wine industry. 
• Experience with AMS and Vin65 preferred
• Proven personnel management experience including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, coaching and effectively reviewing performance. 
• Solid DTC sales management experience.
• Understanding of government regulations including compliance and consumer shipping regulations.

All applicants and inquiries will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.   

WineTalent Classifieds: Accounting Manager in St. Helena, CA

WineTalent is working with our client, Long Meadow Ranch, on an Accounting Manager role in St. Helena, CA. 

Long Meadow Ranch is a family owned and operated producer and purveyor of world-class wine and food that is economically successful and socially responsible using diversified, sustainable, and organic farming methods. Long Meadow Ranch produces award-winning wines, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables. 

Long Meadow Ranch has a unique opportunity for an Accountant to join the administration to provide quality customer service to the ranch management team, business partners, customers and vendors. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Accounting Manager will be responsible for the financial reporting and analysis, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and other general accounting functions for Long Meadow Ranch Wine Estates. The Accounting Manager will follow generally accepted accounting practices, adhering to the policies and procedures set forth by the company.  

Responsibilities
Hold accountability for the preparation of monthly financials including handling the month end-close process.
Posting all required monthly journal entries, reconcile inventory in multiple locations, reconcile other balance sheet accounts as required, and perform overhead allocations.
Reporting on any significant budget variances.
Manage daily accounting tasks including: Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Bank reconciliations, daily banking tasks.
Assist with all accounting aspects of Human Resources for Wine Estates including time card and PTO tracking, EDD reporting, workers� compensation management and policy development.
Monitor, track and report on all required external compliance including wine compliance, TTB reporting, sales tax, property tax returns, organic certifications, etc.
Develop and manage the budgeting/reforecasting process and the cash forecasting process.
Manage a direct report on the wholesale and dtc order desk to accurately, timely, and efficiently process all wholesale and direct wine orders. This includes verifying the accuracy of each wine by type, vintage, variety, brand, inventory availability, price, and size.
Manage sales data reporting for distribution to Tradepulse, Targit and wholesale sales team. Provide support and analysis as needed.
Manage and be responsible for timely and accurate monthly, quarterly and year-end closing cycles.
Evaluate, recommend and implement policies, procedures and systems related to company efficiency, productivity and internal controls.
Support other business accountants as needed with inter-company transactions and inter-company inventory reconciliation.

Qualifications and Requirements
Minimum of 3 years of experience in financial analysis and/or general ledger accounting practices.
Wine business accounting experience required.
Bachelor�s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related discipline.
In-depth knowledge of Accounting Software including QuickBooks.
Experience with ecommerce and POS systems, Vin65 preferred.
Proficient in MS Excel and MS Office including PowerPoint.
Sharp attention to detail with good oral and written communication skills.
Able to work in a team environment as well as operate independently.
Valid driver�s license and maintain a safe driving record.
A pre-employment background check is required.
Able to lift 40+ lbs. 

Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, salaried position.
Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k).

Interested in applying?  Please email your resume to amy@winetalent.net.  All inquiries are completely confidential.  

WineTalent Classifieds: Vice President of Finance in St. Helena, CA

WineTalent is working with our client, Long Meadow Ranch, on a Vice President of Finance role.  

Long Meadow Ranch (LMR) is a family-�owned and -operated producer and purveyor of world�-class wine and food that is economically successful and socially responsible and that employs diversified, sustainable, and organic farming methods. LMR produces award�-winning wines, hand-crafted extra virgin olive oils, grass-�fed beef and lamb, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables.

LMR has farming operations in Northern California on more than 2500 acres in Napa, Marin, Mendocino, and Humboldt counties, including three winegrowing estates in the Mayacamas Mountains, Rutherford, and Anderson Valley.  Long Meadow Ranch also operates a sustainable food, wine, and agricultural education destination located in St. Helena, CA, which is anchored by the distinctive farm-to-table restaurant, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch. New projects are being developed on multiple LMR-owned properties, including winery production facilities, agricultural improvements (major vineyard re-plantings, water systems, livestock handling facilities, etc.), and guest lodging

LMR has an exciting opportunity for a Vice President of Finance to contribute to the overall success of LMR by effectively managing the financial affairs of one of its key vertically integrated wine entities, LMR Wine Estates LLC.   The Vice President of Finance will be a member of the executive team. The Vice President of Finance will be responsible for all financial reporting for LMR Wine Estates and will also be accountable for analyzing the current business and planning for future business needs. The Vice President of Finance will provide high quality financial planning and analysis, including providing detailed financial modeling for established and potential projects. 

The Vice President of Finance serves in a core leadership role and is responsible for driving both the strategic and hands-on execution of financial planning & accounting, financial & managerial reporting, investor relations, partnerships & contracts. This position requires excellent verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal relationship skills and a commitment to integrity.

This position reports directly to the COO & Executive Vice President. Direct reports include Accounting Manager and Wholesale Customer Service & DTC Sales Coordinator. 

  

Responsibilities:

Financial Planning  & Accounting

?      Direct all accounting, budgeting, forecasting, finance, and cash management functions of the Company

?      Establish and implement next generation financial accounting systems, controls, and measurement systems to assure fiscal integrity as well as accurate and timely financial and management reporting

?      Formalize and document accounting and finance standard operating processes (SOPs) to ensure accurate and timely data synthesis

?      Manage the annual budget and strategic business planning processes, working closely with the CEO & President, COO & Executive Vice President, and key operating managers

?      Manage relationship with accounting firm; oversee and direct all tax-related activities

?      Assure compliance with state, federal, and general accounting and regulatory guidelines

?      Maintain solid banking relationships

?      Direct ongoing analysis of Company�s capital requirements to ensure appropriate capitalization and availability of funds

?      Manage entity reporting required by Company investors

?      Maintain all Company financing and capitalization documents, including details related to stock ownership rights, limited partnership interests, warrants and options.
 

Financial & Managerial Reporting and Analysis

?      Develop and deliver timely, accurate, and effective analysis and reporting of financial and operational performance to the key operating managers, COO & EVP, CEO & President and Advisory Board

?      Track and measure performance relative to budgets, schedules, milestones, and performance targets, providing timely feedback to the key operating managers, COO & EVP, and CEO & President

?      Develop and manage budget, periodic financial forecasts, short and long term financial projections, Company cash positions, current risks and probabilities

?      Prepare timely financial report packages for review by the key operating managers, COO & EVP, CEO & President and Advisory Board

?      Interact with Advisory Board as appropriate, on financial and business matters.

?      Ensure compliance and accurate reporting with regard to all regulatory matters

?      Perform operationally focused financial analysis and intelligence gathering to support strategic and business development initiatives

?      Provide guidance and advice on proposed capital expenditures

?      Recommend opportunities for profit improvement, productivity enhancement and cost reduction.

Finance, Accounting & Administrative Team Management and Development

?      Contribute and continue to drive a culture of collaboration

?      Become a go-to resource by continuing to develop and foster a strong team which is sought out and respected by the entire organization for the quality of information and insight provided

?      Encourage innovative approaches to employee communications, continuous improvement, recognition, and celebration in order to attract, reward and retain the highest quality staff

Partnerships & Contracts

?      Assist the COO & EVP and key operating managers in financial analysis and negotiation of partnerships, licensing and contracts

?      Manage preparation, negotiation, review, and acceptance of all contractual documents

?      Advise management of contractual rights and obligations and provide interpretation of terms and conditions.
 

Legal & Risk Management

?      Ensure the Company is in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations and that internal agreements as well as client contracts and SLA�s are properly documented and followed

?      Assume responsibility for Company�s risk management program, including identification of current or potential risks; devise strategies for minimizing Company exposure and cost

?      Oversee and administer Company liability and casualty insurance policies.

Qualifications and Requirements:

?      Bachelor�s degree in Finance, Accounting or Business

?      Certified Public Accountants preferred

?      Distinctive finance and accounting experience of 5 years or more within diversified agricultural organizations

?      Proven understanding of finance and accounting issues related to agricultural production (cash basis), winery and restaurant businesses highly desirable

?      Extensive experience with Quickbooks required

?      Experience using Targit Decision Suite sales analytics software highly desirable 

?      Prior experience implementing new accounting software systems and/or ERP required

Compensation and Benefits:

?      Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k).

Interested in this position?  Please email your resume to me at amy@winetalent.net.  All communications will be kept completely confidential.