Store Manager

The Roost Farm Shop is a new farm shop and wine bar opening in the heart of Nelson County on Route 151. Located in a historic 1932 apple packing shed, The Roost is being thoughtfully restored as a year-round gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Our shelves and cases will celebrate the best of our region: Virginia wines, locally sourced meats and cheeses, fresh produce, gourmet provisions, prepared foods, artisan goods, fresh flowers, and thoughtfully curated gifts. Our self-serve wine experience will give guests the opportunity to discover and taste Virginia wines in a relaxed, approachable setting. The Roost is a place to stop in for dinner ingredients, stock up on provisions for a weekend in Nelson County, build a picnic for an afternoon at a winery, discover something made by a local artisan, enjoy a glass of wine, or simply stay awhile. Our philosophy is simple: warm hospitality, great local products, genuine community connection, and an experience that makes people want to come back. The Role We’re looking for an experienced Store Manager who understands that great hospitality is about more than running a store. It’s about how people feel when they walk through the door. You’ll lead the day-to-day operation of The Roost and help bring our vision to life. You’ll work closely with the owners, who will be actively involved in the business, while taking ownership of the floor, leading our team, maintaining our standards, and creating an exceptional experience for every guest. You’ll also become one of the faces of The Roost. We want someone who gets to know our regulars, welcomes visitors to Nelson County, can recommend a local wine or product, and genuinely enjoys connecting people with the farms, makers, wineries, and businesses around us. What You’ll Do Lead daily operations across the farm shop, wine bar, prepared food area, and retail floor Set the tone for warm, genuine hospitality and ensure every guest feels welcomed and cared for Hire, schedule, train, coach, and lead our retail and hospitality team alongside ownership Manage opening and closing procedures, keyholder responsibilities, POS operations, cash handling, and daily reconciliation Oversee receiving, inventory, stocking, product rotation, and vendor deliveries Maintain a beautifully presented shop that feels abundant, welcoming, organized, and true to The Roost brand Learn the stories behind our products and help guests discover Virginia wines, local foods, farms, artisans, and makers Maintain Virginia ABC, food-safety, sanitation, and operational compliance Help oversee our self-serve wine program and ensure responsible alcohol service Work closely with our prep team to ensure grab-and-go foods, charcuterie, and weekend provisions are fresh, stocked, and beautifully presented Support wine tastings, seasonal markets, community gatherings, and special events Build relationships with regular customers, visitors, vendors, and community partners Monitor sales, staffing, inventory, and operational needs and provide regular reporting to ownership Identify opportunities to improve the guest experience, increase sales, and help The Roost continue to grow Step in wherever needed. We’re a small team, and everyone plays a part in creating the experience Who You Are Hospitality experience is important to us. You may come from a restaurant, winery or tasting room, boutique hotel, specialty retail store, event venue, or another hospitality- More importantly, you genuinely enjoy taking care of people. You’re warm, confident, friendly, and comfortable starting a conversation with someone you’ve never met. You notice when a guest needs help, remember returning customers, and understand that small details can turn an ordinary shopping trip into a memorable experience. You’re also organized, dependable, and comfortable taking ownership. You can lead a team, solve problems calmly, keep an eye on the details, and jump in wherever needed during a busy Saturday. We’d love someone who: Has previous hospitality and leadership or management experience (10 years preferred) Enjoys building, training, and developing a team Is community-minded and excited to become part of Nelson County Has an appreciation for local food, Virginia wine, agriculture, artisans, and small businesses Enjoys learning about products and sharing their stories with customers Is comfortable learning and talking about wine; extensive wine knowledge is not required Can balance warm hospitality with the operational and financial responsibilities of running a store Is comfortable using POS and inventory systems Is proactive and sees what needs to be done without always being asked Can be on their feet throughout the day and lift cases or merchandise weighing up to 40 pounds Is available to work weekends, holidays, and other peak tourism periods $24-$28/ per hour depending on experience, 40 hour work week with overtime potential Plus 10 days paid time off, annually, after 6 months of employment (can be used for vacation or sick leave) Performance-based annual bonus opportunity Employee discounts Wine and product education Opportunity for increased responsibility and growth as The Roost develops This is an opportunity to help shape a new business from the beginning. We’re looking for someone who wants to take ownership, build relationships, create something special with us, and become an important part of The Roost and the Nelson County community. #J-18808-Ljbffr