Bar Manager

Location: Stroud

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Reporting To: Venue General Manager

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Bar Manager to oversee all operations of our taproom bar within a popular independent organic brewery. In this role, you will meet agreed revenue and profit targets whilst maintaining an exceptional quality of service for our customers and a safe, fulfilling workplace for our team.

The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail and a high level of empathy that considers the diverse needs of our customers and staff, helping shape our culture through example and training. You will actively share our mission: "to bring people together and inspire positive change".

Main Responsibilities

Working alongside the Venue General Manager, you will continuously improve company procedures, standards, and policies while adhering strictly to our ethos and regulatory guidelines.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, train, and motivate a team of supervisors, bar, and waiting staff.

• Handle recruitment (in conjunction with the Venue General Manager) to ensure adequate staffing levels.

• Schedule bar staff weekly to ensure required coverage for the bar, internal and external events, and the farmers' market, whilst hitting KPIs.

• Conduct regular 1:1 team appraisals, return-to-work interviews, approve holiday/absence requests, and arrange on-the-job training shifts.

Operations & Licensing

• Showcase a range of our beers and organic drinks whilst controlling costs and maintaining margins.

• Ensure the business operates within its licensing remit and uphold the safety of the public and bar staff.

• Drive environmental targets regarding resource use and waste reduction through staff training and awareness.

• Maintain strict adherence to legal and company standards in respect of Hygiene, Health & Safety, Employment Law, and Food Safety Law.

Events & Cross Department Collaboration

• Liaise with the Venue Hire Manager to confirm all staffing and food requirements for events, ensuring smooth delivery.

Finance & Stock Control

• Maximise revenue and profitability by meeting agreed sales targets, managing suppliers, and minimising wastage.

• Oversee back-of-house financials, including till transactions, band food, deposits, petty cash, and bar tabs.

• Maintain agreed GP% levels by updating pricing relative to cost changes, reviewing cost of sales, and seeking ways to increase spend-per-head (SPH).

• Manage bar stock to reduce losses, perform weekly line checks on key lines, update till prices, and submit monthly stock returns to Finance promptly.

(Note: Due to the changing nature of work practices, the company reserves the right to make changes to job descriptions as necessary for operational or commercial reasons.)

Person Specification

Demonstrated Skills:

• Proven ability to lead, motivate, inspire, and develop a team.

• Strong background in hospitality, events, and supplier/consumer relationship building.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and confident decision-making under pressure.

• Solid financial management skills and a deep knowledge of craft beer and real ale.

Essential Requirements:

• Experience & Licences: Demonstrable experience managing a similar-sized bar, Personal Licence holder, and First Aid trained.

• Technical & Product Knowledge: Strong understanding of craft beer/real ale production, barista/coffee skills, and experience with ordering apps and till systems.

• Financial & Compliance: Skilled in stock control, supplier management, and upholding strict Health & Safety and hygiene standards.

• IT & Operations: Computer literate (Google Workspace, spreadsheets, etc.) with a practical, conscientious, and detail-oriented approach.

• Attributes: Reliable, friendly, highly social, possesses a "can-do" attitude, and works exceptionally well within a team.

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience with Zonal till systems.

• Knowledge of AV equipment.

• Full UK Driving Licence.

• A shared alignment with our ethos for sustainability.

Benefits

• Monthly Taproom Credit: Generous monthly credit to enjoy discounted food, drinks, and merchandise (workwear) in our Taproom (worth £2,300 per year for a full-time employee).

• Staff Discounts: 40% off all own-brand products and 20% off all guest/non-own-brand products.

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible working week, generous holiday pay, and paid time off to carry out non-commercial, voluntary work or charitable endeavours.

• Financial & Perks: Company pension scheme, regular team socials, and free on-site parking.