Hilary Clair
Santa Rosa
Summary
Dynamic hospitality and operations leader with 11+ years of experience driving Direct-to-Consumer strategies, revenue growth, and exceptional guest experiences in the wine and craft beverage industries. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, develop strategic business plans, and optimize customer engagement across tasting rooms, events, and direct sales channels. Skilled in leveraging data analytics for inventory optimization, pricing strategies, and Wine Club acquisition. Adept at P&L; oversight, KPI tracking, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve financial targets and enhance brand integrity. Promoted within The Wine Group from Imagery Tasting Room Manager to Benziger Tasting Room Manager for outstanding leadership and performance.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Tasting Room Manager
Benziger Family Winery
08.2024 - Current
- Promoted from Imagery Tasting Room Manager to Benziger Tasting Room Manager for exceptional leadership and operational success.
- Lead tasting room operations for a premier Sonoma winery, driving revenue growth by10% through strategic sales initiatives and exceptional guest experiences.
- Implemented data-driven inventory management, reducing waste and improving cost efficiency.
- Developed and executed Wine Club acquisition strategies, increasing membership and retention rates.
- Directed staff development programs, elevating service standards and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Collaborated with marketing and events teams to design innovative tasting experiences and seasonal offerings that boosted engagement and sales.
- Managed P&L; statements, expense budgets, and KPI reporting to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Supervised daily tasting room operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and adherence to safety protocols.
Tasting Room Manager
Imagery Estate Winery
06.2020 - 08.2024
- Oversaw tasting room operations for a boutique winery, focusing on guest experience and sales growth.
- Implemented structured staff training programs, improving service consistency and Wine Club conversions.
- Analyzed sales data to optimize inventory and reduce costs, achieving measurable efficiency gains.
- Trained and mentored staff on wine knowledge and customer service techniques, enhancing team performance and guest satisfaction.
General Manager
Iron Springs Pub & Brewery
06.2018 - 06.2020
- Oversaw comprehensive brewery operations, including staffing, financial management, and customer experience optimization.
- Implemented cost-control measures and strategic menu planning, resulting in a 15% increase in customer retention and improved profit margins.
- Directed a team of 15+, establishing performance standards and mentoring staff to deliver consistent, high-quality service.
- Developed event concepts that transformed slow periods into profitable service windows, enhancing brand visibility and revenue.
General Manager
Red Brick Restaurant
05.2017 - 06.2018
- Managed daily operations, staff scheduling, and financial oversight for a high-volume restaurant.
- Introduced performance metrics and incentive programs that improved service quality and operational efficiency.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify service gaps, implementing targeted training initiatives that boosted retention rates.
Education
Master of Arts - Communication
California State University
Chico, CASkills
- Direct-to-Consumer Sales Strategy
- Wine Club Acquisition & Retention
- Financial Management (P&L; Budgeting, Forecasting)
- Data Analysis & KPI Reporting
- Team Leadership & Development
- Customer Lifecycle Management
- Event Programming & Hospitality Operations
- Inventory Optimization & Cost Control
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Enolytics Data Analytics
- Commerce7
- POS Systems
- Inventory Management Software
- Microsoft Excel
Timeline
Tasting Room Manager
Benziger Family Winery
08.2024 - Current
Tasting Room Manager
Imagery Estate Winery
06.2020 - 08.2024
General Manager
Iron Springs Pub & Brewery
06.2018 - 06.2020
General Manager
Red Brick Restaurant
05.2017 - 06.2018
Master of Arts - Communication
California State University