Octagon Bar Manager

Sopwell House; St Albans; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning and Development

Health & Wellbeing

Health Care cash plans

Discounted food & beverage

Spa discounts

Spa product discounts

Refer a Friend scheme

Discounted hotel rates

Free staff meals

Free parking

Job summary

Sopwell House is seeking a skilled Bar Manager to lead the Octagon Bar team within our luxury Georgian country house hotel. You will ensure service excellence aligned with our standards, while keeping ahead of current beverage trends and managing stock, purchasing and cost lines.

Ideal candidates bring proven bar management experience in luxury or high-volume settings, strong leadership, and a hands-on approach to training and developing staff.

Qualifications

• Proven bar management experience within luxury or high-volume hotel/bar.
• Strong commercial acumen with stock, cost lines and gross profit awareness.
• In-depth knowledge of cocktails, spirits and trends in beverages.
• Hands-on leadership capable of training and developing a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Octagon Bar team, ensuring service aligns with Food & Beverage standards.
• Set the tone for guest hospitality and create a memorable bar experience.
• Stay ahead of beverage and cocktail trends and purchasing.
• Manage F&B purchasing, beverage stock, and monthly stock takes.
• Own departmental costs, including revenue, payroll and gross profit margins.
• Oversee opening/closing shifts, staff rotas and stock security.
• Handle guest feedback and drive sales opportunities across the bar.

Skills

Bar management experience

Leadership

Stock & cost control

Cocktails knowledge

Job description

Full-time position, 40 hours

Up to £45,000 per annum, includes service charge

Your country home away from home, nestled within 12 acres of picturesque Hertfordshire countryside. Sopwell House is a luxurious, family-owned Georgian country house hotel offering timeless elegance and modern comfort. We're proud to be a place where exceptional service is delivered with warmth, pride and purpose.

At Sopwell House, we live by our Vision, Purpose and Values.

We are dedicated to creating a world of 'Perfect Contentment' for both our team members and guests alike, 'Spreading kindness one act at a time' along the way. Our team pride themselves on 'Performing with Drive and Serving with Soul' in everything we do.

Your role in our family:

• Lead and manage the Octagon Bar team, ensuring service is delivered in line with our Food & Beverage standards
• Set the tone for guest hospitality, creating a memorable and positive experience in the bar
• Keep the hotel ahead of the curve on current beverage and cocktail trends
• Manage F&B purchasing, beverage stock and delivery notes, and take ownership of monthly stock takes
• Own your departmental cost lines, including revenue, payroll and beverage gross profit margins
• Oversee opening and closing shifts, staff rotas and the security of stock and cash
• Handle guest feedback and complaints, and drive sales opportunities across the bar

What we're looking for:

• Proven bar management experience, ideally within a luxury or high-volume hotel or bar
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing stock, cost lines and gross profit
• In-depth knowledge of cocktails, spirits and current beverage industry trends
• A confident, hands-on leadership style with the ability to train and develop a team
• Flexibility to work shifts including evenings, weekends and bank holidays

The best bit:

• Learning and Development: Access our digital learning platform, and various courses to enhance your knowledge and skills
• Health & Wellbeing: Benefit from our interactive health and wellbeing platform and Employee Assistance Program.
• Health care cash plans: take advantage of our Health Care cash plan benefits, including 24-hours access to a GP.
• Discounted food and beverage, accommodation and spa for you and your family
• Discounts on Spa treatments and Spa days in our award-winning Cottonmill Spa
• Discount on Spa products
• Refer a Friend Scheme: earn up to £1,000 referral fee when you recommend someone to work with us
• Preferred Hotel Group discounted global hotel rates
• Free staff meals and parking

Equal Opportunities

We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know at [e-mail]

Right to Work

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Proof of documentation will be required in line with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.

Next Steps

If you're shortlisted, we'll give you a quick call to learn more about you and answer your questions. Candidates who progress will then be invited to the hotel for an in-person interview.

Please be advised that if you have not received a response within 14 days, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.