WineTalent Classifieds: Central Valley Winery Production Equipment Sales

WineTalent is working with our client ColloPack Solutions on a Sales Representative search. ColloPack is a leading distributor of equipment to the US wine and beverage industry. The Equipment Salesperson will be responsible for providing equipment solutions to wineries, focusing on wineries located in California�s Central Valley. This sales position is involved in the entire sales cycle, including initial customer contact, identifying product solutions for each customer and managing equipment purchasing and any logistical needs of each customer. 

Responsibilities:
�  Building and maintaining long-term business relationships with customers In the California Central Valley.
�  Identifying the production equipment needs of individual customers and developing proposals that meet the needs of the production environment.  
�  Demonstrating equipment capabilities and discussing alternative solutions that benefit the customer and highlight CollloPack�s product lines.  
�  Understand the complex nature of large winemaking operations and develop extensive relationships within each company
�  Act as main point of contact for Central Valley winery clients while also including technical experts on sales opportunities and relationship management activities.
�  Professionally representing ColloPack throughout the US at industry events, tradeshows, and in-person meetings.  
�  Understanding priorities and goal setting with efficient time management. 
�  Identifying opportunities for additional sales opportunities with existing customers of all ColloPack equipment offerings.
�  Preparation and presentation of customized plans, budgets and schedules for each customer.
�  Prioritizing duties effectively and managing sales cycle to maximize efficiency.
�  Following up with customers on a timely basis.

Qualifications:  
�  Bachelor�s degree in Enology and Viticulture, Food Science or Chemistry highly desirable. A Bachelor�s degree in Business, Marketing or related disciplines will be considered with a proven knowledge of wine production.  
�  Previous experience in the Central Valley with relationships in place at wineries in the territory.
�  Experience in winemaking and an understanding of winery production equipment and facilities.
�  Filtration experience.
�  Good presentation and listening skills.
�  Technical sales experience highly desirable.
�  Strong organization skills required.
�  Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively facilitate internal and external business relationships.
�  Hard-working, trustworthy and positive demeanor.

Interested in applying?  email your resume to me at amy@winetalent.net.

WineTalent Classifieds: Accounting Manager with Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena, CA

WineTalent Classifieds:  Accounting Manager with Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena.  

WineTalent is working with our client, Long Meadow Ranch, on an Accounting Manager position.

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. We produce 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 our administration to provide quality customer service to our ranch management team, our business partners, our customers and our vendors. Reporting to the Vice President of Finance, the Accounting Manager � Ranch will be responsible for the financial reporting and analysis, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and other general accounting functions for Long Meadow Ranch Partners LP. The Accounting Manager � Ranch will follow generally accepted accounting practices, adhering to the policies and procedures set forth by the company.

Responsibilities include (but not limited to):

• Hold accountability for the preparation of monthly financials including handling the month end-close process.
  o Posting all required monthly journal entries, reconcile inventory in multiple locations, reconcile other balance sheet accounts as required, and perform overhead allocations.
  o 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 the ranch including time card
  and PTO tracking, EDD reporting, workers� compensation management and policy
  development.
  
• Monitor, track and report on all required external compliance including sales tax,
  property tax returns, CCOF certifications, etc.
  
• Develop and manage the budgeting/reforecasting process and the cash forecasting
  process.
  
• 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.
  
  Qualifications and Requirements
  

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in financial analysis and/or general ledger accounting practices.
  
• Agriculture accounting experience desirable.
  
• Bachelor�s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or related discipline.
  
• In-depth knowledge of Accounting Software, QuickBooks 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). 
  

WineTalent Classifieds: Restaurant Front of House Manager

WineTalent is working on a Restaurant Front of House Manager role for Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch located in St. Helena, the heart of the Napa Valley.

Description:  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�s restaurant at Farmstead showcases the seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking of executive chef Stephen Barber.  Housed in a former nursery barn, our 110-seat restaurant features an authentic farm-to-table menu.  The ingredients are foraged from local sources and feature Long Meadow Ranch�s award-winning wines, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables.

Long Meadow Ranch has an exciting opportunity for a Restaurant Front of House Manager to manage the delivery of a consistent, customer focused experience.  The Front of House Manager will provide oversight of the staff and will address customer service issues. 

Responsibilities

Direct Service and Staff on the Floor

• Manage a team of front of house staff including scheduling, training, general supervision.
• Actively engage in service for the majority of working hours.
• Directly perform hands-on work on an ongoing basis to manage employee performance, provide feedback and coaching, and otherwise role model appropriate behaviors in the restaurant. 
• Lead by example and maintain a strong floor presence.  Support staff throughout the day- get your hands dirty.
• Maintain procedures and standards for team service. Correct and coach employees as needed.
• Ensure positive guest experience in all areas. Respond promptly to complaints and take action to resolve guest issues.  Maintain guest satisfaction by monitoring and auditing food, beverage and service offerings.
• Build relationships with preferred patrons, recognize special occasions and PX guests.
• Ensure that all food safety, food quality standards, workplace safety standards, customer service standards and company policies are met. Comply with all Department of Environmental Health food safety regulations.
• Maintain a facility that is safe, secure and healthy as well as consistently �inspection ready� in all areas including front of house and back of house. Following systems established by the General Manager, maintain facilities as needed including mechanical systems, equipment, operation of lights, music and decor.
• Maintain standard operating procedures as established by the General Manager
• Lead daily pre-shift meetings and communicate menu features, service points and beverage training.
• Develop weekly focus topics for service points.
• Open and close the restaurant as needed. Support the management team when someone on the team is out on leave or sick.
• Keep the Service Manager and General Manager fully informed of all issues and take prompt corrective action when necessary or suggest alternate courses of action.
• Maintain a favorable working relationship with all company employees to foster and promote a cooperative, positive and respectful workplace culture.

Administrative and General

• Collaborate with the General Manager to develop an effective plan for training including food & wine education, one-on-one training, communication of company standards & policies and Long Meadow Ranch brand training.
• Manage the weekly distribution of the front of house schedule.
• Conduct regular staff performance reviews and provide growth opportunities.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in a fast paced restaurant.
• Proven experience managing and coaching service staff in a fast paced restaurant setting.
• Strong organizational and communication skills to manage staff, interact with management and resolve customer service issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• 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).

Positive Job Report Today

Today the US Job Report came out, showing nonfarm employers adding 255,000 jobs in July.  This was well above expectations.  Job gains are running at about 190,000 for the last three months.  This will be bringing more people back into the labor force.  Unemployment remains at a national rate of 4.9 percent.  This reflects more people actively seeking work.

Other good news showed the average hourly wage increasing about 0.3% for July.

And this is exactly what I am seeing with my workload.  The number of recruitments has been steady for the last 6-8 months, and wages are inching up.  While I am not seeing a lot of new people enter the workforce, I am experiencing an extremely tight labor market.  Right now it is a job seeker's market.  Good time to be talking to a recruiter for career advancement.  Call me!

For more on this, view Bloomberg's article here.

Resume Writing Service in the Career Advice

Job Seekers:  Here's a resume writing resource I just learned about:  www.thederbingroup.com .  Leslie Derbin reached out to me last week, and I know it is hard to find a resume writer with wine industry experience.  Here she is!