Assistant Manager

The Melting Pot; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonuses

Paid time off (PTO)

Career development and growth paths

Dining discounts and team environment

Job summary

The Melting Pot in Cincinnati is seeking an energetic Assistant Restaurant Manager to partner with the General Manager in leading front-of-house and bar operations. You will protect the guest experience, drive bar program efficiency, and coach a hospitality team to be the best version of themselves daily.

You will manage shifts, ensure impeccable service, and maintain our intimate atmosphere while overseeing beverage inventory and staff development in a high-volume setting.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of restaurant management or supervisory experience in upscale-casual, high-volume environments.
• Strong knowledge of craft cocktails, beer and wine service; bar management is a plus.
• Hands-on, visible leader who thrives during rushes and leads by example.

Responsibilities

• Lead dining room operations during peak volume and ensure smooth pacing of the fondue experience.
• Coach servers and bartenders to elevate beverage knowledge and guest interactions.
• Control atmosphere including lighting, music, and temperature to preserve the intimate setting.
• Oversee bar shift operations, ensure accurate cocktail builds, pours, and ingredient prep.
• Monitor floor volume and labor costs, adjusting staffing to meet targets without compromising service.
• Ensure food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols are followed.

Skills

Craft cocktails

Wine & beer service

Floor leadership

Staff training

Guest experience

Job description

The Role

We are seeking a high-energy, detail-oriented Assistant Restaurant Manager to partner with our General Manager in leading our front-of-house and bar operations. In this role, you aren’t just managing shifts; you are protecting the guest experience, driving bar program efficiency, and actively coaching a team of hospitality professionals to be the best version of themselves every day.

Who You Are: You believe service is transactional, but hospitality is emotional. You are highly organized, thrive in high-volume settings, possess an analytical eye for bar and labor efficiency, and love the art of professional craft mixology and curated guest journeys.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively lead the dining room floor during peak volume, connecting with guests and ensuring seamless pacing of the multi-course fondue experience.
• Cultivate an environment where team members look for creative opportunities to customize experiences for guests celebrating special milestones.
• Maintain absolute control over the restaurant's sensory atmosphere—including lighting levels, music volume, and room temperature—to preserve our signature intimate environment.
• Oversee bar shift operations, ensuring strict adherence to cocktail build specifications, precise pour counts, and premium ingredient preparation.
• Maximize speed of service and consistency behind the wood by refining bar setups, ergonomics, and prep workflows.
• Assist with beverage inventory controls, tracking pour variances, managing waste, and ensuring proper rotation of liquor, wine, and beer stocks.
• Lead motivational, high-energy pre-shift meetings that align the team on hospitality goals, daily specials, and operational focuses.
• Onboard, train, and provide real-time coaching to servers and bartenders to continuously improve their beverage knowledge and guest interaction skills.
• Enforce rigorous standards regarding uniform presentation, punctuality, and floor accountability with a constructive, servant-leadership approach.
• Monitor floor volume and labor costs minute-by-minute during shifts, making proactive staffing adjustments to hit financial targets without sacrificing service.
• Enforce impeccable food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols, ensuring the team handles tableside raw protein service flawlessly.
• Execute daily administrative tasks, including accurate cash drawer reconciliations, safe drops, and comprehensive shift reports.

Qualifications

• Experience: 1–2 years of restaurant management or supervisory experience in an upscale-casual, high-volume, or fine dining environment.
• Beverage Passion: Solid foundational knowledge of craft cocktail builds, beer, and wine service standards, with bar management experience being a significant plus.
• Leadership Style: A visible, hands‑on floor leader who leads by example and isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves during a rush.
• Availability: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including late afternoons, nights, weekends, and major holidays.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary with achievable performance bonuses.
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Professional career development and clear growth paths.
• Dining discounts and a supportive team environment.
• Clear operational frameworks and strong ownership support.