Bartender Manager — Job Description
Position: Bartender Manager
Location: Normandy Park Ale House - Normandy Park Washington
Employment type: Full-time
Reports to: General Manager / Owner
Overview
Lead the bar team to deliver excellent beverage service, high customer satisfaction, and strong sales while maintaining safe, legal, and ethical operations. The Bartender Manager is responsible for bar inventory, staff scheduling and training, financial performance, and enforcing venue policies — including a strict prohibition on adding alcohol or any foreign substance to customers’ drinks without their explicit knowledge and consent.
Key responsibilities
- Manage daily bar operations: open/close procedures, cash handling, POS reconciliation, and cleanliness.
- Hire, train, schedule, mentor, and evaluate bartenders and bar backs.
- Create and maintain beverage menus, including cocktails, non-alcoholic options, and seasonal specials.
- Ensure consistent, high-quality drink preparation and presentation.
- Monitor inventory, order supplies, control waste, and manage vendor relationships.
- Develop promotions and up sell strategies to grow sales and profitability.
- Enforce compliance with all liquor laws, health and safety regulations, and venue policies.
- Maintain a safe environment: intervene in intoxication incidents, refuse service when appropriate, and coordinate with security/staff.
- Investigate and document any customer complaints or incidents; report to management.
- Train staff on allergens, accurate ingredient disclosure, and handling special requests.
- Ensure strict policy: never add alcohol or any foreign substance to a customer’s drink without their explicit knowledge and consent; report and escalate any suspected violations immediately.
- Prepare regular reports on sales, labor, inventory, and key performance indicators.
Required qualifications
- 3+ years experience as a bartender and 1–2 years supervisory or management experience in a bar, restaurant, or hospitality setting.
- Proven knowledge of cocktails, spirits, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Strong cash handling, POS, and basic accounting skills.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and customer-service skills.
- Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
- Certification in responsible beverage service (TIPS, ServSafe Alcohol, or local equivalent) preferred.
Preferred skills
- Inventory management and ordering systems experience.
- Experience creating cocktail menus and costing recipes.
- Conflict resolution and de-escalation training.
- Cannot complaint to customer for any reason about any subject to ensure professionalism.
- Must document employee failure related to adding substance(s) to drinks without customer consent.
- Cannot discuss past illegal activity performed by current employees until legal outcome is finalized.
- Cannot confirm past driving under the influence citation by previous customers for any reason.
- Food safety certification.
Physical requirements & working conditions
- Fast-paced, high-volume bar environment; long periods standing; lifting up to 50 lbs.
- Exposure to noise and crowds; must maintain professionalism under pressure.
Compensation & benefits
- Competitive hourly wage + tips; management bonus structure where applicable.
- Paid time off, staff meals, employee discounts, and opportunities for professional development (adjust per employer).