Service & Events Manager

**Job Title: Service \& Events Manager** **Location:** Richland, WA **Reports To:** General Manager, Executive Chef, President **Employment Type:** Full\-Time **Job Summary** At **Taverna Tagaris Restaurant and Winery**, we strive to provide exceptional, world\-class dining and event experiences. We are seeking a dynamic, **hands\-on Service \& Events Manager** to bridge premium front\-of\-house service with flawless event execution. This individual will be a highly visible leader on the floor—directly driving guest\-first hospitality, managing and mentoring service staff in real\-time, and overseeing daily floor operations. In addition to traditional restaurant operations, this role is heavily responsible for organizing, coordinating, and executing all private banquet bookings and large\-scale public winery functions. With strict professionalism, a positive attitude, and an active floor presence, you will directly contribute to the financial health, cultural standard, and community growth of both the restaurant and winery. **Key Responsibilities** **Hospitality \& Floor Leadership (Hands\-On)** * **Active Floor Presence:** Anchor the dining room floor during peak service hours, actively engaging with guests, adjusting service flows, and resolving complaints in real\-time. * **Staff Mentorship:** Lead, train, and coach front\-of\-house staff by example, continuously elevating fine dining service standards and upscale wine presentation. * **Hospitality Priority:** Foster a service culture where genuine hospitality and a welcoming environment are the top priorities for all staff members. **Event Coordination \& Execution** * **End\-to\-End Planning:** Organize and coordinate the logistics for private banquets, corporate functions, rehearsal dinners, and public winery events (e.g., live music series). * **Cross\-Department Communication:** Serve as the central communication hub between the client, General Manager, and the Executive Chef to ensure precise execution of event menus and guest counts. * **Event Operations:** Lead setup, staffing, and breakdown for functions, ensuring seamless pacing and exceptional execution that maintains fine dining standards at scale. **Operational \& Staff Management** * **Schedules \& Labor:** Build cost\-effective weekly labor schedules for service and banquet staff that adapt to seasonal volumes and multi\-department demands. * **Inventory Control:** Track, order, and manage beverage and operating supplies, executing strict waste\-minimization practices. * **Regulatory Compliance:** Maintain rigorous health, safety, and sanitation standards, ensuring full staff compliance with local and state liquor regulations (e.g., Washington state MAST). **Financial Accountability** * **Performance Tracking:** Collaborate with the executive team to manage labor budgets, monitor daily sales targets, and maximize event profitability. * **Operational Problem Solving:** Proactively identify service or financial bottlenecks on the floor and implement immediate, effective solutions. **Skills and Qualifications** * **Proven Experience:** Minimum 2–4 years of work experience in an upscale restaurant, premium wine country venue, or high\-volume fine dining environment. * **Dual Focus:** Demonstrated expertise in balancing high\-touch tableside hospitality with complex, structured event coordination. * **Active Leadership:** Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of motivating teams in a fast\-paced environment via a hands\-on approach. * **Communication Skills:** Exceptional oral and written communication skills necessary for managing diverse teams and multi\-stakeholder reporting structures. * **Scheduling Flexibility:** Open availability to work flexible hours, including weekends, nights, and peak holiday seasons. **Physical Requirements** * Ability to stand and walk on the floor for long periods of time during high\-volume shifts. * Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. and safely move quickly in a fast\-paced dining or outdoor patio environment. **Compensation** * **Wage:** Pay range is on a sliding scale, dependent on qualifications (DOQ). Job Types: Full\-time, Part\-time Pay: $20\.00 \- $30\.00 per hour Work Location: In person