Head Sommelier - Omos, Abbeyleix, Co.
Laois Commence - Spring **** In summer ****, we're opening Omos - a 16-bedroom guesthouse and 40-seat restaurant set on 4.2 acres just outside the heritage town of Abbeyleix, County Laois.
The name Omos - meaning honour, duty, and respect - reflects our intention behind the project: to create something lasting and meaningful, something with soul.
A guesthouse and restaurant that feel like they belong - that reflect our neighbourhood and community, and that generously welcome curiosity, craft, and discovery.
As we prepare for our opening in July, we are now seeking an exceptional and experienced Sommelier.
Our 40-seat restaurant is designed to deliver a memorable experience, from multi-course seasonal set menus to occasional private dining and events.
Our Head Sommelier, will be responsible for not only elevate our guest dining experience, but also contribute to the enhancement of our wine programme, bringing your extensive knowledge and expertise.
Reporting directly to the Restaurant Manager and part of a small, dedicated restaurant team, this is a fantastic opportunity for a professional who is passionate about wine and pairings, thrives in a hands-on environment, and is excited about creating something new and personal with an exceptional team of hospitality professionals.
This will include, but is not limited to, contributing to our planning for opening, planning and delivering training for our team, overseeing wine sales, managing inventory and expanding our wine lists.
Why work with us We're committed to creating a workplace that is nourishing, respectful and inspiring.
As part of the Omos team, you can expect: A 4-day work week with Sundays and Mondays off One dinner service per day, plus lunch service only on Saturdays A generous salary and benefits An amazing daily staff meal and excellent coffee A high-standard, custom-built space with natural light and premium LED lighting (front and back of house) A dedicated staff lounge with a kitchen and views of the market garden On-site showers for your comfort Uniforms provided and laundered in-house A culture grounded in respect, kindness, and professionalism A project surrounded by nature, celebrating Irish craft and contemporary design Regular guest speakers and collaborative events Experience: 3-5 years of experience working in wine-related roles, such as Assistant Sommelier or Sommelier Experience in a fine dining setting is crucial, as it involves advanced knowledge of wine service, etiquette, and guest interaction Strong understanding in low intervention wines and interest in organic wine production Demonstratable experience of wine regions, grape varieties, tasting notes, vintage differences, and wine storage Passion and understanding of wine pairing with specific dishes and menus and the ability to curate and maintain an extensive wine list, sourcing wines that complement the restaurant's menu Experience in building key relationships with suppliers to ensure a creative wine list whilst achieving financial targets Ability to accurately cost a wine list, price a wine pairing and skillfully work with wine margins Demonstrated experience in managing an inventory and stock taking Experience with educating teams that allows the person to train and supervise junior staff or wine servers.
Education/ Training: Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) (e.g., Certified Sommelier, Advanced Sommelier, Master Sommelier).
And or: Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) (e.g., WSET Level 3, Diploma).
While a degree in hospitality or culinary arts can be helpful, it's not mandatory.
The Person: Enjoys collaborating.
Is warm, friendly and approachable and happy to engage guests in conversation about wine Thrives on the detail