Taproom General Manger

*The Taproom General Manager Role:
As our Taproom General Manager you will be a core member of our team and will work closely with our General Director, Financial Director, and Division Heads to develop, guide, and execute our growth & development strategy.
This is a highly strategic, long-term, Division Head-level role that reports directly to the General Director.
The role involves working collaboratively and closely with our internal team members and external partners, including our brewery & wholesale teams, marketing & events partners, and manufacturing & distribution partners.
This is an exciting time for both our company and craft beer in general. We have lots of opportunities in front of us and are looking for the right person to help us grow and succeed together.
*Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the Taproom General Manager include:
• Be a key public face and enthusiastic ambassador the Winking Seal Beer Co. brand who creates excitement and engagement with our customers and wider craft community.
• As a Division Head, you are required to:
o Manage overall profitability of the taproom division.
o Responsible for the performance and profitability of their respective Divisions (including capex, staffing, etc) - myself and the Board expect each Division to be profitable and each Division Head to drive this using the tools and group resources at hand.
o Responsible for all Division operations and maintenance of standards - again, with the group resources that are available (and often working together with the other Division Heads) making sure each respective Divisions run smoothly and delivering based on Division Head projections and agreed targets.
o Responsible for financial accountability and cost controls, including forecasting, accurate
and timely recording of revenue and expenses (again working with group resources - in this
case Finance), ensuring proper approval on all expenditures is planned in FUTRLI and approved by Finance before committing to any expenditures.
o HR, including hiring and firing of non-management level employees, completion and submission of all necessary forms, training / coaching, and, if necessary, using our 3 warning system to dismiss non-performing employees - you all have access to either Facebook or other recruiting channels to find new staff.
• Drive taproom traffic and ensure sales goals are met, including:
o Creating amazing brand experiences for all our guests.
o Develop detailed marketing & promotional strategies and ensure they are implemented in line with (and to enhance) the premium positioning of our brand including managing internal / external events (e.g. conceptualizing of event concepts, working with event partners to execute events, including setup, attendance, and breakdown), and measuring the success of marketing activities.
o Manage our social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Untapped, TripAdvisor, etc), including developing and maintaining a message calendar, working with internal team members and / or external partners to develop content with a focus on driving traffic and sales, and responding to messages and reviews (both positive and negative) in a timely manner.
o Develop detailed budgets / forecasts / revenue goals using our business management systems and provide regular performance reports to our senior management, including marketing plans, detailed sales & profitability analysis, and budget updates.
o Develop and regularly review / benchmark, and optimize our pricing structure.
o Drive customer loyalty and repeat business with a focus on local clientele.
• Develop, implement, and optimize our standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the highest level of customer service and quality, including documentation, staff training / coaching, and compliance monitoring.
• Ensure all business management systems (Kounta, Xero, FUTLRI, Airtable, etc) are updated in real-time, including asset, inventory and batch tracking.
• Remain up-to-date and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and financial regulations.
• Collaborate with the Brewery and other Division Heads to manage capacity and output to ensure product is always available across all channels.
• Analyze current and prospective customer psychographics, demographics, and market trends - this information will be used for optimizing our marketing strategies and new product development / menu innovation together with our Brewmaster.
• Research competitors and provide regular updates on competitor marketing, sales channels, pricing, and identify new opportunities for us to succeed in the marketplace.
• Develop strong relationships with key partners (including taproom & wholesale customers, external partners, other breweries, etc) - relationships are very important in the brewing industry to ensure our customers remain happy, defend against increasing competition, and, ultimately, ensure the long-term growth of our brand.
• Become familiar with our draft serving system and able to:
o Perform regular cleaning and maintenance.
o Troubleshoot technical issues, including coordinating with external technicians and other support partners when service is required.
o Approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset and aim for a win-win for all parties involved.
o Ensure service recovery is quickly and properly activated when issues occur with a long-term focus on ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
• Be available when the job requires and dedicate the required time to execute the role effectively, which may occasionally include overtime and holidays.
• Inspire, mentor, and grow our taproom team with a focus on developing and promoting talent internally, including:
o Provide quarterly reviews, including recording progress and areas for improvement with S.M.A.R.T (specific, measureable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) guidance and support to help team members reach their full potential.
o Recruit new team members to support continued sales growth.