Venue Lead - Modus Merewether

Modus Operandi Brewing Co.; Newcastle City Council; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Modus Operandi Brewing Co. Newcastle is seeking a Venue Lead to run the floor and bar, setting the standard for a great day. This hands-on role will have you leading shifts, caring for the team and ensuring smooth service through busy weekends, live music and functions.

You'll work closely with the Kitchen, manage stock and rosters, uphold RSA, WHS and licensing, and drive guest experiences that showcase our beers and culture.

Qualifications

• At least 3+ years of hospitality experience in a supervisory or leadership role, ideally in a high-volume bar, brewery or pub.
• A current NSW RSA competency card, an Approved Manager (Licensee) competency, not required but highly regarded.
• A genuine passion for craft beer, or a strong willingness to learn it inside out
• Calm, positive leadership under pressure and a knack for bringing out the best in a team
• Experience with POS systems, rostering tools and stock control
• Availability across weekends, evenings and public holidays
• Food Safety Supervisor certification is a bonus

Responsibilities

• Lead front-of-house and bar operations across busy trading periods, including opening and closing the venue and handling cash-up and banking procedures
• Coach, motivate and support a team of bartenders, floor staff and runners, and help with onboarding and training new starters
• Deliver a warm, knowledgeable guest experience, and make sure the team can talk confidently about our beers, styles and new releases
• Work with the kitchen to keep food and drink service in sync
• Help run functions and events across our spaces, from corporate lunches to celebrations, including run sheets, briefings and on-the-night execution
• Manage stock, including keg and cellar management, ordering, receiving, stocktakes and minimising wastage
• Help build rosters and manage labour to budget
• Uphold RSA, food safety, WHS and licensing compliance at all times, and act as Duty Manager as required
• Handle guest feedback and resolve issues calmly and professionally
• Contribute ideas for events, activations and ways to keep the venue busy and loved by locals

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

POS systems

Roster planning

Stock control

Cash handling

Food safety

Education

Food Safety Supervisor certification (bonus)

Tools

POS systems

Rostering tools

Job description

We're looking for a Venue Lead to run the floor and bar and set the standard for what a great day at Modus looks like. You'll lead shifts, look after the team and keep service moving through busy weekends, live music, functions and everything in between. It's a hands-on role. You'll spend most of your time on the floor, working alongside the crew, while taking ownership of the details that keep the venue running smoothly.

Key responsibilities

Lead front-of-house and bar operations across busy trading periods, including opening and closing the venue and handling cash-up and banking procedures

Coach, motivate and support a team of bartenders, floor staff and runners, and help with onboarding and training new starters

Deliver a warm, knowledgeable guest experience, and make sure the team can talk confidently about our beers, styles and new releases

Work with the kitchen to keep food and drink service in sync

Help run functions and events across our spaces, from corporate lunches to celebrations, including run sheets, briefings and on-the-night execution

Manage stock, including keg and cellar management, ordering, receiving, stocktakes and minimising wastage

Help build rosters and manage labour to budget

Uphold RSA, food safety, WHS and licensing compliance at all times, and act as Duty Manager as required

Handle guest feedback and resolve issues calmly and professionally

Contribute ideas for events, activations and ways to keep the venue busy and loved by locals

About you

At least 3+ years of hospitality experience in a supervisory or leadership role, ideally in a high-volume bar, brewery or pub

A current NSW RSA competency card, an Approved Manager (Licensee) competency, not required but highly regarded.

A genuine passion for craft beer, or a strong willingness to learn it inside out

Calm, positive leadership under pressure and a knack for bringing out the best in a team

Experience with POS systems, rostering tools and stock control

Availability across weekends, evenings and public holidays

Food Safety Supervisor certification is a bonus

About us

Work at an independent brewery with a strong, creative identity, in one of Newcastle's standout venues. Get competitive pay and real career progression within a growing business. Enjoy staff discounts on food, beer and merch, plus a shift drink. Join brewery tours and beer education so you know the product from grain to glass. Be part of a tight-knit, community-minded crew a short walk from the beach.