Venue Manager - Modus Merewether

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

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Shift drink

Career progression

Brewery tours

Beer education

Job summary

Modus Operandi Brewing Co. is seeking a Venue Lead to oversee floor and bar operations, ensuring smooth service through peak periods, live events and functions.

This hands-on role involves leading shifts, coaching staff and taking ownership of the guest experience. You'll work closely with the kitchen, manage stock and rosters, uphold safety standards, and contribute ideas to keep the venue busy and loved by locals.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in hospitality with supervisory responsibilities.
• Sydney/NSW RSA and manager competencies preferred.
• Passion for craft beer and willingness to learn about our offerings.
• Calm leadership under pressure and strong communication.
• Experience with POS, rostering and stock controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead front-of-house and bar operations during busy periods and events.
• Coach and onboard bartenders, floor staff and runners.
• Deliver warm guest experiences and talk confidently about our beers.
• Coordinate with kitchen to keep food and drink service in sync.
• Run functions and events, manage run sheets and on-the-night execution.
• Oversee stock, keg management, ordering, receiving and wastage control.
• Build rosters and manage labour to budget.
• Uphold RSA, food safety, WHS and licensing compliance; Duty Manager when needed.
• Handle guest feedback calmly and professionally.
• Suggest ideas for events and activations to keep venue busy.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Customer service

Calm under pressure

Weekend availability

Education

NSW RSA competency

Approved Manager competency

Food Safety Supervisor certification

Tools

POS systems

Rostering tools

Stock control software

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.