Bar Manager

Description

About Brightwild

Brightwild is a forward-thinking hospitality company redefining what it means to deliver standout guest experiences in Key West. From boutique accommodations to curated food and beverage concepts, we're passionate about creating memorable experiences rooted in genuine service, thoughtful design, and a strong sense of place.

As we continue to grow our hospitality footprint, we're looking for an experienced, hands-on Bar Manager to lead the daily operations, team, and performance of one of our boutique hotel F&B outlets.

Position Overview

The Bar Manager is responsible for the overall performance of the outlet—from the guest experience and team culture to labor, inventory, revenue, and operational standards.

We're looking for someone who has demonstrated success managing a team in a food & beverage environment and is ready to take real ownership of an operation. The right person is confident leading a busy floor, developing employees, managing costs, making decisions in real time, and holding their team accountable to high standards.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You'll be present during service, working alongside your team, engaging with guests, and setting the standard for how the outlet operates. You'll balance exceptional hospitality with strong operational execution and bring a proactive, organized, and revenue-minded approach to the business.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Service Leadership

• Own the guest experience and ensure service consistently meets Brightwild standards.
• Maintain an active leadership presence on the floor, particularly during peak service periods.
• Engage with guests, support team members, and quickly identify and resolve operational challenges.
• Handle guest concerns professionally and use feedback to continuously improve the experience.
• Build an atmosphere that encourages repeat business from both hotel guests and the local community.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop bartenders and support staff while building a positive, accountable, high-performing team culture.
• Recruit, interview, onboard, train, schedule, and retain strong team members.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, performance management, and recognition.
• Develop and maintain training materials, service standards, SOPs, and onboarding processes.
• Lead pre-shift meetings and maintain clear, consistent communication across the team.
• Create schedules based on business needs, forecasted volume, and labor targets.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily opening, service, and closing operations.
• Establish and maintain high standards for cleanliness, organization, presentation, and product quality.
• Ensure the outlet is appropriately staffed, stocked, and prepared for service.
• Maintain compliance with health, sanitation, safety, and responsible alcohol service requirements.
• Continuously evaluate workflows and implement improvements that make the operation more efficient.
• Oversee POS configuration, menu updates, pricing, and other operational systems.

Financial & Business Performance

• Manage labor performance, scheduling efficiency, purchasing, inventory, and controllable operating expenses.
• Review sales, labor, beverage costs, and other key performance indicators to understand outlet performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability without compromising the guest experience.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, invoice approvals, and financial reporting.
• Use performance data and sales trends to make informed operational decisions.

Inventory & Purchasing

• Own beverage inventory, ordering, receiving, storage, and regular inventory counts.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and investigate discrepancies.
• Build and manage relationships with vendors and distributors.
• Evaluate pricing and negotiate purchasing opportunities when appropriate.
• Monitor product usage, waste, comps, and shrinkage and implement controls as needed.
• Maintain appropriate par levels based on sales trends, seasonality, and upcoming events.

Revenue Growth & Programming

• Identify opportunities to grow revenue and increase outlet traffic beyond daily service.
• Develop promotions, events, seasonal programming, and upselling initiatives.
• Monitor product mix and guest behavior to identify opportunities for menu and pricing improvements.
• Partner with Brightwild's marketing team on campaigns, social content, activations, and community partnerships.
• Develop strategies to increase traffic during off-peak periods.
• Help strengthen the outlet's presence with both hotel guests and the local Key West market.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with hotel operations, front office, housekeeping, facilities, accounting, marketing, and other Brightwild teams.
• Coordinate operational needs across departments to create a seamless guest experience.
• Communicate proactively regarding maintenance issues, events, staffing needs, purchasing, and other operational priorities.
• Partner with accounting and purchasing teams on invoices, vendor payments, budgeting, and reporting.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced food & beverage leader who understands both great hospitality and the operational discipline required to run a successful bar.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of management experience in a food & beverage setting, including a bar, restaurant, hotel F&B outlet, resort, or similar hospitality operation.
• Demonstrated experience directly leading, coaching, and holding hourly F&B teams accountable.
• Strong working knowledge of bar operations, including cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, service standards, and responsible alcohol service.
• Hands-on experience with inventory management, purchasing, scheduling, labor controls, and cost management.
• Ability to lead from the floor, manage multiple priorities, and make confident decisions in a fast-paced service environment.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable working with POS systems, scheduling platforms, and Google Workspace or Microsoft Office.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak hospitality periods as required.
• Reliable transportation and access to a personal vehicle.
• Fluent in English.
• Florida Responsible Vendor Certification required within 30 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of bar, restaurant, or F&B management experience.
• Previous experience as a Bar Manager, Restaurant Manager, Assistant General Manager, or F&B Manager.
• Experience in boutique hotels, resorts, or high-volume hospitality environments.
• Certified Food Manager certification.
• Experience managing beverage costs, vendor relationships, menu pricing, and financial performance.
• Key West residency or ability to relocate prior to start date.
• Knowledge of the Key West hospitality and F&B market.

Above all, we're looking for someone who takes ownership. The right person is equally comfortable coaching a bartender through a service issue, reviewing labor and inventory numbers, jumping in during a rush, and identifying the next opportunity to improve the business.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Career growth opportunities within a growing hospitality company
• Opportunity to take ownership of a distinctive Key West hospitality concept and help shape its continued growth