Bars Manager

Butlins; East Ferry; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Butlins is seeking a Bars Manager to lead three venues—Studio 36, Jellyfish and Skyline Bar—driving guest experiences, service standards, and commercial performance.

You will set the tone, coach large teams, manage stock, and ensure compliance across all areas while delivering memorable moments for guests and maximizing bar profitability.

Responsibilities

• Own the full guest experience within the bar, ensuring speed, quality and friendliness of service during all trade patterns.
• Actively manage guest flow to reduce queue times and maintain a lively, well organised bar environment.
• Use NPS trends and guest comments to improve service points, product mix, and bar layout where possible.
• Deliver labour plans aligned to forecasted demand, improving productivity without compromising service.
• Lead and develop a positive, high performance bar team through coaching, recognition and hands on guidance.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Guest experience

NPS analysis

P&L & budgeting

Stock management

Compliance

Job description

This isn’t just a bar management role — it’s your chance to take the reins of three of our most iconic, high‑energy venues and bring them to life every single day. As our Bars Manager, you’ll be at the heart of the action, leading the teams behind Studio 36 (our flagship entertainment venue where headline acts perform), Jellyfish (our stylish cocktail lounge), and Skyline Bar (the beating heart of our famous Skyline Pavilion).If you thrive in fast‑paced environments, love creating unforgettable guest moments, and have the passion to lead large, dynamic teams, this role puts you right where the magic happens. You’ll set the tone, drive the atmosphere, and make sure every drink poured, every interaction delivered, and every shift run feels exceptional.

You will:

KPIs

• Guest NPS (overall, speed of service, quality of serve)
• eNPS & team engagement
• Stock yield %
• stock loss, line variances, waste & compliance
• Revenue growth, SPH, Bserve volumes & category sales mix
• P&L delivery vs. budget
• Payroll management & labour productivity
• RPRPRT – Right People, Right Place, Right Time
• Audit & compliance results (H&S, Licensing, Food Safety, Cellar Management, Cash & Stock Controls)
• Team retention & development progress

General Duties & Key Accountabilities

Guest Experience & Service Leadership (WET Focused)

Own the full guest experience within the bar, ensuring speed, quality and friendliness of service during all trade patterns. Actively manage guest flow to reduce queue times and maintain a lively, well organised bar environment. Ensure consistency of product delivery across all WET categories (draught, spirits, cocktails, hot beverages, premium serves). Use NPS trends and guest comments to improve service points, product mix, and bar layout where possible. Be highly visible during peak trading to support, coach, and solve issues in real time.

Commercial, Stock & Business Performance

Full accountability for stock results, including: stock yield performance line checks waste reduction stock rotation & product care safe cellar management cash variances. Use stock reports to identify patterns, risks or opportunities and implement action plans to improve yields and reduce loss. Contribute ideas to increase WET sales: premiumisation, product placement, seasonal activation, and upsell training. Deliver labour plans aligned to forecasted demand, improving productivity without compromising service. Complete rotas in SAM 3 weeks ahead and ensure accuracy in payroll closing. Drive the profitability of the bar through margins, SPH, ATV, and effective promotions.

Team Leadership, Culture & Development

Create clear, measurable objectives for supervisors that drive performance in revenue generation, queue management, profit protection, compliance, Guest experience, and team experience. Lead and develop a positive, high performance bar team through coaching, recognition, and hands on guidance. Ensure all team members are fully trained in product knowledge, pouring standards, cellar safety and responsible alcohol retailing (Challenge 25, refusals, licensing obligations). Conduct meaningful 1:1s, PDPs, performance reviews and use realtime feedback to support development. Role-model Butlin’s Values and Leadership Behaviours at all times. Build a multiskilled team capable of flexing across the resort to meet guest volume and business need. Actively improve team retention through recognition, support, development opportunities and open communication.

Operational Excellence, Safety & Compliance

Ensure complete compliance with licensing legislation, including Challenge policies, refusals logs, trading hours and responsible retailing. Oversee cellar management to guarantee safety, product quality, proper changeover, gas system handling and hygiene. Maintain full audit readiness across: bar cleanliness and organisation food safety H&S and COSHH security, cash handling and stock holding brand standards. Lead venue opening/closing routines and complete daily operational checks. Escalate risks appropriately and own corrective actions.

Cross Resort Collaboration & Leadership

Work closely with Central Commercial & Procurement to align on product range, price changes and yield objectives. Build strong relationships with leadership teams and peers across all resorts to share ideas and improve performance. Support other venues and departments when operational needs shift. Championing Butlin’s Team member plus modelling optimisation labour alongside other resort leaders.