WHISTLER VILLAGE

4005 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC, V8E 1J1

Manager / Assistant Wine Director

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Competitive salary plus gratuities and benefits, dependent on experience

About Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar

Wild Blue is one of Whistler’s leading fine dining restaurants, bringing together exceptional hospitality, contemporary Pacific Northwest cuisine, an ambitious wine program, and the natural character of the Coast Mountains.

Since opening in 2022, Wild Blue has quickly earned national and international recognition, including placement among Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, recognition by enRoute among Canada’s Best New Restaurants, Whistler’s Best Restaurant at the 2026 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, and a place on the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Praised by Vancouver Magazine as “The Most Important Whistler Restaurant Opening in a Decade” and described by Condé Nast Traveler as “The Hot Table to Book in Whistler,” Wild Blue is built around exceptional food, wine and hospitality delivered with warmth, professionalism and genuine thoughtfulness.

Our leadership team includes some of Canada’s most experienced hospitality and culinary professionals, and we are committed to continually developing both our restaurant and the people within it.

About the Role The Manager / Assistant Wine Director is a senior floor leadership position combining restaurant management with an important role in the continued development and execution of Wild Blue’s wine program.

Working closely with the Wine Director and Restaurant Director, this position will help manage daily restaurant operations while supporting wine purchasing, inventory, cellar management, staff education, wine service and guest engagement.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced restaurant manager or sommelier who wants to continue developing as both a hospitality leader and wine professional.

The successful candidate will be highly visible on the restaurant floor, comfortable leading a sophisticated service team, passionate about wine, and committed to creating exceptional guest experiences.

Key ResponsibilitiesRestaurant Management & Service Leadership

- Act as a senior manager during restaurant service, helping lead the front-of-house team and maintain Wild Blue’s standards of hospitality.
- Support opening, closing and daily management responsibilities.
- Lead pre-service meetings and communicate important operational, menu, wine and guest information to the team.
- Coach and develop servers, sommeliers, bartenders, hosts and support staff during service.
- Maintain strong communication between the dining room, bar, kitchen and management teams.
- Assist with guest recovery and resolve service concerns thoughtfully and professionally.
- Support the Restaurant Director and management team in maintaining consistent operating standards.
- Help create a workplace culture built around professionalism, accountability, kindness, teamwork and continuous improvement.

Wine Program
- Work closely with the Wine Director in the ongoing development of Wild Blue’s wine program.
- Participate in wine purchasing, tasting, selection and list development.
- Assist with maintaining an interesting and balanced cellar across regions, styles, vintages and price points.
- Support the development of wine pairings for seasonal menus, prix fixe menus, special events and private dining.
- Help identify new producers, vintages and emerging regions appropriate for the Wild Blue program.
- Maintain awareness of industry trends and important developments within the international wine community.
- Contribute ideas that strengthen the quality, reputation and commercial performance of the wine program.

Cellar & Inventory Management
- Assist with receiving, organizing and maintaining Wild Blue’s wine inventory and cellar.




- Participate in regular wine inventories and reconciliation.
- Help maintain accurate wine counts, costing, pricing and database information.
- Monitor stock levels and identify wines requiring replenishment.
- Assist with cellar organization, storage standards and vintage management.
- Help minimize inventory discrepancies, breakage, spoilage and unnecessary stock accumulation.
- Work with the Wine Director and management team to maintain appropriate inventory levels and cost controls.

Wine Service & Guest Experience
- Provide knowledgeable, approachable and professional wine service throughout the restaurant.
- Assist guests with wine selections based on their preferences, menu choices and budget.
- Support tables requiring advanced wine knowledge or elevated wine service.
- Build relationships with regular guests and help maintain detailed knowledge of their preferences.
- Ensure proper wine service standards including presentation, opening, decanting, glassware and temperature.
- Help create memorable wine experiences without allowing technical knowledge to overwhelm genuine hospitality.

Training & Team Development
- Assist in developing and delivering Wild Blue’s ongoing wine education program.
- Conduct tastings, producer sessions, regional training and practical wine-service education.
- Help servers become more confident discussing and selling wine.
- Mentor junior sommeliers and team members interested in developing their wine knowledge.
- Encourage participation in recognized wine education programs and professional development.
- Work with restaurant leadership to integrate wine knowledge into broader service training.

Supplier & Industry Relationships
- Maintain professional relationships with wineries, agents, suppliers and industry representatives.
- Participate in supplier tastings and portfolio reviews.
- Assist with coordinating visiting winemakers, producers and wine professionals.
- Represent Wild Blue professionally at relevant industry tastings, events and educational opportunities.

Events & Private Dining
- Support wine planning and execution for Wild Blue events, private dining and special experiences.
- Assist with wine dinners, Long Table events, tastings and producer-led dinners.
- Work with the culinary and events teams to develop thoughtful beverage pairings.
- Help identify opportunities to create distinctive wine experiences for guests and private groups.

Financial & Operational Responsibility
- Support wine cost management, pricing and inventory controls.
- Understand the relationship between purchasing, inventory levels, margins and overall restaurant profitability.
- Assist management with beverage sales analysis and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Maintain accurate administrative records relating to wine purchases, inventory and program performance.

QualificationsHospitality Experience
- Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in quality restaurants, luxury hospitality or fine dining.
- Previous restaurant management, sommelier or supervisory experience is strongly preferred.
- Experience working in a sophisticated wine-focused restaurant environment is an asset.
- Comfortable assuming responsibility for a busy dining room and leading a professional service team.

Wine Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of major international wine regions, grape varieties, producers and styles.
- Confidence discussing both classic wine regions and emerging producers.
- Strong understanding of food and wine pairing.
- Experience with wine inventory,



purchasing or cellar management is highly desirable.
- Formal wine education such as WSET Level 3, CMS Certified Sommelier or equivalent is preferred.
- Candidates pursuing advanced wine qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply.

Leadership
- A calm and confident presence during busy restaurant services.
- Strong coaching and mentoring skills.
- Ability to hold high standards while maintaining a supportive and respectful leadership style.
- Excellent communication skills with guests, colleagues, suppliers and senior management.
- Comfortable providing and receiving constructive feedback.

Organization & Administration
- Strong attention to detail.
- Experience with inventory management, POS systems and restaurant administrative systems.
- Ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
- Comfortable working with budgets, costing and inventory information.

What We OfferCompetitive Compensation Competitive salary plus gratuities and a comprehensive benefits package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits & Perks

- Extended health, dental and vision benefits
- Subsidized professional wine education
- Opportunities to attend supplier tastings and wine education events
- Bike and ski storage
- Staff facilities including private areas and showers
- Access to the Whistler Spirit Pass program
- Dining discounts
- Professional development opportunities

Career Development Wild Blue is committed to developing hospitality professionals from within.

For the right candidate, the Manager / Assistant Wine Director position provides a meaningful pathway toward increased responsibility within wine leadership, restaurant management or future senior roles within the organization.

You will work alongside experienced hospitality and culinary leaders while being exposed to one of British Columbia’s most ambitious restaurant wine programs.

The Person We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines genuine wine knowledge with genuine hospitality.

The strongest candidate will not simply know wine—they will know how to make guests comfortable talking about it. They will enjoy teaching others, leading a dining room, developing younger team members and contributing to a restaurant where attention to detail matters.

They will be curious, humble, organized and ambitious, with the confidence to lead and the maturity to continue learning.

Above all, they will understand that great wine service is not about demonstrating how much you know. It is about using that knowledge to make the guest’s experience better.

Join Wild Blue

If you are an experienced hospitality professional looking to develop your career in both restaurant leadership and wine, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your restaurant experience, wine education and professional goals.

Email in confidence: [email protected]

Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace for all employees.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $55,000.00-$75,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Store discount
- Vision care

Ability to commute/relocate:
- Whistler, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):
- Do you have all these criteria:

Proven experience in a senior sommelier or wine leadership role Demonstrated management and team leadership experience

Robust organizational and financial acumen

Diploma, or advanced WSET, CMS, or equivalent certification A genuine passion for hospitality and guest engagement

Experience

- Hospitality: 3 years (required)
- Customer service: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Manager + Asst Wine Director (Whistler)
🏢 Wild Blue Restaurant u0026 Bar
📍 Whistler