Head Bartender
Responsibilities:
- Listen to every guest and observe body language carefully in order to be able to understand guests’ needs and expectations, and consistently surprise and delight every guest.
- Create and maintain a strong guest ‘first name’ relationship and combine this with an excellent memory for guest preferences.
- Have a good understanding of the outlet’s concept and food and beverage offerings and are able to verbally explain those to the guests with personality and flair on the line.
- Knowledge of mixing and matching ingredients to offer an outstanding selection of creative cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, spirits, beers and wines and be able to garnish all drinks as per the given standards and explain their characteristics.
- Support the Bar & Beverage manager when required to train colleagues in accordance with the applicable standards and policies and regularly update the Standard Drink Appearance file (SDA).
- Lead the bartending team in all day-to-day operations whilst working the rail and train service and bar colleagues, including bartenders and barbacks on recommending, promoting and upselling beverages.
- Maintain high team spirit and morale. Maintain a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere at the bar.
- Understand beverage control procedure including days on hand, perpetual inventory, bar pars, portion control, costs controls, beverage potentials and mix of sales analysis for beverage.
- Check the inventory daily before each shift to assure correct amounts are stocked up to avoid running out of stock during service periods.
- Responsible for ensuring the checking and recording of temperature of the bar fridges and follow the First in, First Out procedure.
- Ensure compliance with all food and beverage policies and procedures as well as appliable beverage and liquor laws with responsible service of alcohol. Ensure compliance with all licensing and regulatory requirements.
- Be well versed in all necessary Hotel brand standards and history and ensure all direct reports are likewise well versed.
- To always take corrective action if service errors occur, ensuring all solutions exceed the guest’s expectations.
- Engage with guests, providing recommendations and handling inquiries or complaints professionally.
- Organize and oversee special events, promotions, and tastings.
- Manage bar-related budgets, cost control, and financial reporting.
- Work closely with the finance department to ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures.
- Coaches, guides and supports team members to ensure their capabilities and degree of professionalism meet the needs of guests and the hotel.
- Attend meetings with senior management to discuss future business strategies and review ongoing action plans and progress.
Other Responsibilities
- Ensure a service-oriented culture focusing on guests’ needs
- Be well versed in the hotel’s fire and life safety emergency procedures
- Apply necessary precautions with regards to the hotel food safety and hygiene standards (HACCP)
- Maintain the highest standard of personal appearance and cleanliness
- Perform other duties assigned by the management
Knowledge and Experience
- Candidate must possess at least a Secondary School "O" Level, "N" Level or higher / Pre-U / A level / College, Diploma, Advanced / Higher / Graduate Diploma, Food & Beverage / Professional Certificate/NiTEC.
- Relevant experience as a Head Bartender in a similar luxury hotel or free-standing restaurant capacity providing customer service for a minimum of 1 year.
- Excellent verbal, reading and written communication skills
- Ability to understand effective approaches of communication with different individuals
- Bartending competitions experience will be an advantage
- Pre-opening experience will be an advantage
Competencies
- Strong leadership, interpersonal and training skill
- Acts as a role model to demonstrate appropriate behaviour
- Passionate about the hospitality industry
- Energetic and personable
- Aware of the local market trends in mixology
- Good communication and customer contact skills
- Service orientated with an eye for detail
- Ability to work well in stressful and high-pressure situations
- Ability to understand the flow of service and support colleagues