Western Cider is a cidery, cider apple grower and tasting room in Missoula, Montana. As a company, we aspire to create an institution of great cider, good times, and a life worth living in this far-flung region of the American West. See what we are all about on Instagram or Facebook @westerncider or on our website at westerncider.com.

To be considered for this position you must have schedule flexibility.

Job Overview

The Tasting Room Manager’s primary role is to lead the direction of the tasting room experience, manage bar staff, ensure positive customer engagement, and maintain all aspects of a functioning bar. We value this role and are looking for someone that values it in return. We are in search of a highly organized, hard working, enthusiastic, and resourceful person who is ready to grow with our company for the long run. 

Qualifications

• Applicant must be 21+ years of age
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Must be detail oriented
• At least 3 years experience in a restaurant or bar
• Managerial experience preferred
• Cost management skills
• Inventory management skills
• Proficient in operating iPad based POS systems
• Able to multitask and manage constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm
• Experience developing food and drink recipes a plus
• TIPS certified preferred
• ServSafe certification is preferred
• Experience with Excel is preferred
• A natural curiosity for food and drink
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and maneuver 160 lb. kegs
• Must be able to remain standing for extended periods of time
• Understanding of the cider making process, cider culture and its history is a plus

Responsibilities

Front-of-House Work & Customer Service

• Provide exceptional customer service to all tasting room patrons
• Resolve customer complaints
• Keep a clean and friendly environment for all guests at all times
• Maintain a thorough understanding of all tasting room products, company history, and production methods
• Manage and monitor bar staff
• Schedule work hours for FOH staff
• Assist customers with keg orders, special requests, and online orders
• Oversee donation communication, distribution, and tracking

Staff Recruitment & Team Development

• Hiring, training, management, corrective action, and turnover of bar staff
• Implement monthly cider education trainings
• Maintain a positive and friendly work environment for all tasting room employees
• Build rapport between FOH staff and Production staff

Tasting Room Marketing & Events Management

• Collaboratively lead the direction of the taproom experience while staying up to date on market and industry trends
• Conducting cider tastings, cider pairing events, and other small events to help further the education of our community about cider
• Organizing, setting up, and staffing all tasting room events
• Maintain tasting room marketing materials and inform bartenders of all current promotions and events
• Update POS systems, tasting room signage, and tasting room information on our website in a timely way
• Serve as liaison for the public to rent Western Cider’s facilities and oversee event rentals

Inventory/Organization/Maintenance

• Oversee bar staff in weekly inventory and ordering of food, cleaning supplies, glassware, merchandise, and tasting room advertisement
• Oversee cleanliness, organization and maintenance of tasting room, cooler and draft system
• Inform management of maintenance of equipment and other services needed

Food Management

• Manage preparation of food and cider
• Maintain standards of presentation and safety for food and cider
• Implement new dishes with input from ownership

Tasting Room Accounting

• Oversee menu cost controls 
• Responsible for overseeing money handling and till management
• Responsible for maintaining appropriate staffing and agreed upon labor percentages

General Responsibilities

• Proactive management of tasting room improvements 
• Lead monthly retail staff meetings
• Weekly meeting with ownership
• Communication with ownership regarding general tasting room concerns or issues
• Oversee ordering of general office supplies and cleaning

Job Type: Full Time

Compensation

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses Based on Experience
• Employer Subsidized Health Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Phone
• Ongoing Professional Development 
• Free Cider and Employee Discounts

To apply:

Send a cover letter, resume and three references to matt@westerncider.com with “Tasting Room Manager” in the subject line. Thanks!