Golden State Cider - Sebastopol Taproom Manager

Golden State Cider • Sebastopol, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Golden State Cider (Sonoma Craft) is seeking an experienced, hands-on Taproom Manager to lead its flagship Sebastopol Taproom. The manager is the onsite leader and brand representative, responsible for daily operations, team performance, guest experience, operational execution, financial performance, labor and cost management, inventory control, and compliance with regulatory and company standards. The role requires a strong floor presence and a leadership style centered on hospitality, accountability, and collaboration. The manager develops the team, makes staffing and scheduling decisions, builds community connections, and ensures guest experiences reflect Sonoma Craft’s quality and culture.

The position is based in Sebastopol, California; remote candidates will not be considered. Office days and hours may fluctuate during high season and according to operational needs. This exempt role is not eligible for overtime. Regular evening, weekend, and holiday shifts are required based on business needs. Occasional travel of up to 15% is required, including locations throughout Sonoma County and San Francisco. The work takes place primarily in a taproom and bar service area, with regular exposure to alcoholic beverages, potentially wet or slippery floors, bar equipment, and occasional cleaning and sanitizing agents. The role involves maintaining a sanitary, safe, and welcoming environment, and may require working across indoor and outdoor service areas with varying noise levels, temperatures, and air quality. Physical duties include regular sitting and speaking or hearing; occasional standing, walking, reaching, and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; and occasional lifting or moving of 25–50 pounds.

The role includes mandated reporter responsibilities under applicable California law, including reporting suspected workplace misconduct as required by company policy and law. It also requires compliance with company policies and safety and regulatory requirements related to alcohol in the workplace. Additional job-related tasks may be assigned consistent with business needs.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of hospitality, taproom, bar, restaurant, or beverage industry management experience.
• Strong leadership, operational management, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of labor management, scheduling, budgeting, and payroll processes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with POS systems.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Valid Responsible Beverage Service certification.
• Food Handler certification.
• Ability to meet the described physical demands, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.
• Ability to work regular evening, weekend, and holiday shifts based on business needs.
• Ability to travel occasionally, up to 15%, to locations throughout Sonoma County and San Francisco.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience managing high-volume hospitality or customer service environments.
• Knowledge of California employment practices and hospitality compliance standards.
• Experience with Square POS.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily taproom operations, ensuring exceptional guest service, operational consistency, and brand standards.
• Directly manage Taproom Supervisors, Leads, bartenders, and support staff.
• Exercise authority over interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, performance management, disciplinary action, and terminations in partnership with Human Resources.
• Develop staff through coaching, accountability, ongoing feedback, and performance development.
• Maintain staffing levels appropriate to business volume, seasonality, events, and labor targets.
• Create, manage, and approve employee schedules and timecards.
• Monitor and manage labor costs, operational expenses, and departmental budgets.
• Drive taproom sales and execute promotions, marketing initiatives, activations, and special events with leadership teams.
• Analyze operational performance, guest feedback, staffing trends, and business metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Oversee inventory management, ordering, product rotation, shrink prevention, and product availability.
• Maintain accountability for cash handling, deposits, POS compliance, and operational controls.
• Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA requirements, California labor laws, food safety standards, alcohol service regulations, and company policies.
• Maintain required permits, certifications, and operational documentation.
• Handle escalated guest concerns, complaints, and service recovery professionally and efficiently.
• Build positive relationships with vendors, guests, community partners, and corporate leadership.
• Support community events, nonprofit partnerships, offsite activations, and taproom marketing efforts.
• Keep the taproom clean, safe, organized, visually appealing, and operationally ready.
• Support workplace safety initiatives and comply with company safety expectations and workplace violence prevention standards.
• Follow manager meeting guidelines and expectations in the Company Handbook.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies, operational expectations, and applicable employment laws.
• Manage employee accountability, performance, coaching, corrective action, and team development; exercise discretion and independent judgment on operational and personnel decisions.
• Manage merchandise at the production facility in coordination with the Marketing Brand Manager.
• Communicate with the San Francisco Taproom Manager about logistics for products outside the scope of Sonoma Craft products.
• Comply with mandated reporting obligations related to suspected workplace misconduct, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other reportable conduct.

Benefits

• Medical insurance: 90% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent premiums covered.
• Dental and vision insurance: 100% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent premiums covered.
• $100 monthly wellness reimbursement for eligible wellbeing activities and memberships.
• 10 days of PTO accrued from the start date, with accrual increasing based on tenure after the first year.
• 11 paid holidays annually.
• Monthly company cider and beer allotments.
• 401(k) eligibility after 90 days, with a 100% match on the first 3% contributed and a 50% match on the next 3%.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed