Bar Manager

Brightwild•Key West, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Brightwild is seeking a strong, experienced Bar Manager to lead daily operations, elevate service standards, and help drive the continued growth of our bar program and guest experience within one of our boutique hotel F&B outlets. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-paced hospitality environments, leads with confidence, and takes pride in building organized, high-performing teams. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, solution-driven, and capable of balancing exceptional hospitality with strong operational execution. We are looking for someone who brings leadership presence, accountability, creativity, and a revenue-focused mindset to the role while maintaining a welcoming and energetic atmosphere. This position requires both operational oversight and active floor leadership, including team development, inventory management, guest engagement, promotions, scheduling, and overall bar performance.

Requirements

Minimum 3 years of bar management or hospitality leadership experience.
Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Reliable transportation and access to a personal vehicle.
Fluent in English.
Key West residency or relocation prior to start date preferred.
Florida Responsible Vendor Certification required within 30 days of hire; Certified Food Manager certification preferred.
Ability to multitask and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Strong leadership, team development, and accountability skills.
Solid knowledge of cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and bar operations.
Experience with inventory management, labor controls, scheduling, and cost management.
Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with POS systems, scheduling software, and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
Hospitality-driven mindset with a passion for guest service and team engagement.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily bar operations and ensure exceptional guest experiences at all times.
Lead from the floor by engaging with guests, supporting team members, and maintaining smooth service during peak periods.
Resolve guest concerns professionally and effectively while upholding high hospitality standards.
Recruit, train, schedule, and develop bartenders and support staff while fostering a positive, accountable team culture.
Create and maintain training programs, onboarding materials, and standard operating procedures.
Communicate regularly with team members through Slack, meetings, and operational updates.
Establish and maintain high standards for service, cleanliness, organization, and overall outlet presentation.
Ensure the bar remains clean, well-stocked, and operating efficiently at all times.
Maintain compliance with all health, safety, sanitation, and liquor regulations.
Manage labor costs, scheduling efficiency, inventory controls, purchasing, and vendor relationships.
Monitor sales performance, labor reports, and key operational metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and revenue growth.
Oversee menu updates, pricing strategies, POS system management, and operational enhancements.
Conduct regular inventory counts and maintain accurate records and reporting.
Build and manage relationships with vendors and distributors, negotiating pricing and terms when appropriate.
Minimize waste, shrinkage, and over-ordering through effective inventory management and auditing practices.
Drive revenue through promotions, upselling initiatives, events, seasonal programming, and guest engagement strategies.
Collaborate with marketing to develop promotional campaigns, social media activations, and community partnerships.
Identify opportunities to increase traffic during off-peak periods and strengthen the venue's presence in the local market.
Partner with hotel operations, front office, housekeeping, and maintenance teams to deliver seamless guest experiences.
Coordinate with accounting and purchasing teams on invoice approvals, vendor payments, budgeting, and financial reporting.