Beverage Manager

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Supervision:

• Supervise and guide the bar staff, including bartenders, barbacks, and servers, ensuring a high level of service and professionalism at all times.

• Assign duties to bar staff, ensuring the team works efficiently and maintains a high standard of performance.

• Lead by example, providing excellent customer service, mentoring staff, and fostering a positive work environment.

• Monitor staff performance, provide feedback, and assist in resolving any issues or conflicts that may arise.

• Conduct regular staff meetings to provide training, share updates, and communicate expectations.

• Bar Operations & Service Excellence:

• Oversee daily bar operations to ensure smooth service, quality control, and prompt beverage delivery to guests.

• Ensure that bartenders are following established drink recipes and maintaining high standards for beverage presentation, taste, and quality.

• Address guest requests, complaints, and concerns quickly and professionally, escalating issues to management when necessary.

• Manage bar flow, ensuring that service is efficient and guests are promptly attended to, especially during peak service hours.

• Inventory & Stock Control:

• Manage bar inventory, including tracking stock levels, placing orders, and ensuring that supplies are well-organized and readily available for the bar team.

• Oversee the proper handling, storage, and rotation of liquor, mixers, and bar supplies to prevent waste and ensure quality.

• Assist in conducting regular inventory checks and audits to ensure proper stock levels and prevent overstocking or shortages.

• Control costs by managing wastage, optimizing stock usage, and adhering to inventory budgets.

• Health, Safety & Cleanliness Compliance:

• Ensure that the bar area, including countertops, floors, glassware, and equipment, is consistently clean and sanitized to meet health and safety regulations.

• Monitor the cleanliness and organization of bar storage areas, ensuring that supplies are stored properly and in accordance with safety standards.

• Ensure compliance with all local alcohol laws, health regulations, and safety protocols, including the responsible service of alcohol.

• Regularly check that bar equipment, including blenders, shakers, and coolers, are functioning correctly and schedule any necessary maintenance.

• Guest Relations & Service Excellence:

• Greet guests, interact with them in a friendly manner, and ensure their experience is exceptional from arrival to departure.

• Provide recommendations on drinks, food pairings, and specialty cocktails to enhance the guest experience.

• Handle guest complaints or concerns in a calm, professional manner, ensuring satisfaction and loyalty to the establishment.

• Promote specials, happy hour offerings, and new cocktails to increase sales and enhance the guest experience.

• Staff Training & Development:

• Train and develop bar staff, including new hires, ensuring that they are well-versed in drink recipes, bartending techniques, and customer service standards.

• Provide ongoing training to the team on new cocktail trends, drink preparation methods, and any changes to the bar menu.

• Coach staff to improve their skills, knowledge, and ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

• Administrative & Cash Handling:

• Assist in handling cash, credit card transactions, and closing tabs, ensuring accuracy and timely processing of payments.

• Maintain proper cash drawer procedures and ensure that all transactions are recorded accurately.

• Handle administrative tasks such as scheduling shifts, tracking labor costs, and ensuring the bar is staffed appropriately for each shift.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree or relevant certifications preferred.

• Previous experience as a bartender, bar supervisor, or in a similar supervisory role within the hospitality or service industry is required.

• In-depth knowledge of cocktail recipes, bartending techniques, and bar operations.

• Certification in responsible alcohol service (e.g., TIPS, Responsible Beverage Service) is preferred.

• Proven experience in staff leadership, team management, and training.

Skills/Specialized Knowledge

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team to success.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to interact professionally with guests, staff, and management.

• Strong multitasking abilities and the ability to stay calm and organized in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

• Knowledge of inventory management, cost control, and bar operations.

• Ability to remember drink orders, guest preferences, and maintain accurate tabs in a busy environment.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism and poise.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and move around the bar for extended periods.

• Ability to lift and carry heavy items, such as liquor bottles, kegs, and bar equipment (up to 50 pounds).

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, particularly during peak service hours.

• Ability to occasionally bend, reach, and stoop to access storage areas or restock supplies.

Why Join Proper Hospitality

At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we’re committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it’s an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper, we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper).

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together, for our guests and for one another.

Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category.

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.