Golden State Cider - Sebastopol Taproom Manager

Golden State Cider • Sebastopol, CA

10d • $75,000 - $95,000 • 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 oversees day-to-day operations, team performance, financial results, labor and cost management, inventory control, regulatory compliance, and the guest experience. This is an onsite leadership role and brand-representative position in a fast-paced hospitality environment, with a strong floor presence and a leadership approach grounded in hospitality, accountability, and collaboration. The manager develops staff, makes scheduling and staffing decisions, builds community connections, and ensures guest experiences reflect Sonoma Craft’s quality and culture.

The position is based in Sebastopol, California. In-office days and hours may fluctuate during high season and according to operational needs; remote candidates will not be considered. The role is classified as exempt and is not eligible for overtime. Regular evening, weekend, and holiday shifts are required based on business needs, and occasional travel of up to 15% is required, with locations throughout Sonoma County and San Francisco.

The work takes place primarily in a taproom and bar service area, including indoor and outdoor service areas. The employee regularly works in close contact with alcoholic beverages, on floors that may be wet or slippery, and around bar equipment; occasional exposure to cleaning and sanitizing agents is expected. The role involves varying noise levels, temperatures, and air quality. The employee must help maintain a sanitary, safe, and welcoming environment.

The position includes mandated reporter responsibilities under applicable California law, including reporting suspected workplace misconduct as required by company policy and law. The employee must follow company policies and safety protocols concerning alcohol and the workplace. Sonoma Craft and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers committed to an inclusive and respectful workplace.

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.
• POS system proficiency.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Valid Responsible Beverage Service certification.
• Food Handler certification.
• Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including occasionally lifting and/or moving 25–50 pounds.
• Ability to work regular evening, weekend, and holiday shifts based on business needs.
• Ability to work onsite in Sebastopol; remote candidates will not be considered.
• Ability to comply with mandated reporter duties and workplace reporting obligations under applicable California law.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily taproom operations, ensuring 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, special 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 in partnership 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 OSHA requirements, California labor laws, food safety standards, alcohol service regulations, company policies, and applicable employment laws.
• Maintain required permits, certifications, and operational documentation.
• Handle escalated guest concerns, complaints, and service recovery professionally and efficiently.
• Foster positive relationships with vendors, guests, community partners, and corporate leadership.
• Support community events, nonprofit partnerships, offsite activations, and taproom marketing efforts.
• Ensure the taproom is 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.
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment regarding operational and personnel decisions; carry out supervisory responsibilities and employee accountability, performance management, corrective action, and team development.
• Manage merchandise at the production facility in coordination with the Marketing Brand Manager.
• Communicate with the San Francisco Taproom Manager about logistical needs for products outside Sonoma Craft’s product scope.
• Travel occasionally, up to 15%, to locations throughout Sonoma County and San Francisco.

Benefits

• Medical insurance with 90% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent premiums covered.
• Dental and vision insurance with 100% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent premiums covered.
• $100 monthly wellness reimbursement for physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing expenses.
• Paid time off: 10 days accrued from the start date, with accrual increasing based on tenure after the first year.
• 11 paid company holidays each year.
• Monthly cider and beer product allotments.
• 401(k) plan eligibility after 90 days, with a 100% match on the first 3% and a 50% match on the next 3%.

What This Job Offers

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