Taproom Assistant Manager

Highland Brewing Company; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Company-paid life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Free beer

Job summary

Highland Brewing Company is seeking a Taproom Assistant Manager/MOD in Asheville, NC to lead hospitality operations across the Taproom, Meadow, Oscar's Pizza, retail, events and campus experiences.

You will supervise Hospitality Ambassadors, ensure service and beverage standards, and coordinate with bar, kitchen, and events teams to deliver a seamless guest experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Manager on Duty (MOD) when scheduled and lead day-to-day Taproom operations during assigned shifts.
• Execute opening, operational, and closing procedures.
• Monitor and adapt service flow and staffing deployment throughout the shift.
• Coordinate operational execution between the bar, kitchen, counter pickup, dining areas, and campus amenities.
• Provide coaching, real-time feedback, performance support, and ongoing training.
• Lead onboarding and cross-training initiatives.

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Hospitality Full Time Asheville, NC, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1016

About Highland Brewing:

Highland is proudly independent, deeply rooted, and generating joy for our customers and our community. As the first brewery in Asheville since Prohibition, our beer and destination brewery are authentic tastes of the heart and soul of a place that continues to captivate people. Committed to quality, sustainability, and community, Highland champions a "Thirst for Good" across the Southern Appalachians.

Working at Highland:

We are proud to be absurdly people-focused. To support the physical, mental, and financial health of our team, we have a wide range of benefits offerings including health, dental, vision, company-paid life insurance, no-cost mental health and financial services, paid time off, paid holidays, free beer and so much more!

Department: Hospitality
Reports To: Assistant General Manager
Supervises: Ambassadors

FLSA Status: Full-time, Hourly, Non-exempt

Position Summary

The Taproom Assistant Manager/MOD is a frontline hospitality leader responsible for executing exceptional guest experiences and driving operational excellence across Highland Brewing Company's Taproom, Meadow, Oscar's Pizza, retail operations, events, and brewery campus.

Reporting to the Assistant General Manager, this role leads and develops Hospitality Ambassadors while ensuring consistent execution of service standards, beverage operations, food service operations, guest recovery, and daily operational procedures. As the primary leader on the floor, the Assistant Manager fosters a culture of hospitality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement while supporting seamless coordination between the bar, counter service, kitchen, and events teams.

The Assistant Manager serves as Manager on Duty (MOD) when assigned and is responsible for ensuring all guest-facing operations function as one cohesive hospitality experience.

Like all Highland Brewing employees, Taproom Assistant Managers are responsible for contributing to a positive workplace culture. Team members are expected to treat others with respect, communicate constructively, support teammates across departments, and actively contribute to an environment of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and hospitality. Great guest experiences begin with great team experiences.

Shift Leadership & Operations

• Serve as Manager on Duty (MOD) when scheduled and lead day-to-day Taproom operations during assigned shifts.
• Set an example of excellence by servant leadership – Jumping into any and all roles as needed to ensure excellent team and guest experience.
• Execute opening, operational, and closing procedures.
• Monitor and adapt service flow and staffing deployment throughout the shift.
• Ensure all guest-facing areas are clean, stocked, organized, and operating efficiently.
• Adjust labor and team assignments based on guest volume and business needs.
• Coordinate operational execution between the bar, kitchen, counter pickup, dining areas, and campus amenities.
• Manage and provide support to the parking team during scheduled shifts
• Directly supervise Hospitality Ambassadors.
• Provide coaching, real-time feedback, performance support, and ongoing training.
• Lead onboarding and cross-training initiatives.
• Reinforce company standards for hospitality, food service, beverage service, appearance, safety, and professionalism.
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture built around accountability and teamwork.
• Assist with employee recognition, development, and performance management processes.
• Elevate Hospitality teammates through a shared commitment to consistency & excellence in operation, hospitality, growth, mindset, and interpersonal relationships.
• Share daily MOD responsibilities and positively contribute to operational function and team member experience.
• Communicate clearly and professionally to all Hospitality team members.

Guest Experience Excellence

• Model exceptional hospitality and service standards.
• Engage with guests at the bar, on the floor, at tables, and in the Merch area throughout service to ensure satisfaction.
• Respond promptly and professionally to guest concerns.
• Empower team members to resolve guest issues when appropriate.
• Monitor guest feedback and communicate trends and opportunities to leadership.
• Ensure Highland's brand standards are consistently represented across all guest touchpoints.
• Provide operational oversight of front-of-house food service execution.
• Ensure Hospitality Ambassadors maintain strong menu knowledge and confidently answer guest questions.
• Monitor order accuracy, service speed, and communication between the kitchen and guest-facing teams.
• Support food service standards, cleanliness, and dining room operations.
• Assist with guest recovery related to food quality, wait times, and service concerns.
• Collaborate with kitchen leadership to improve communication, workflow, and guest satisfaction.
• Ensure the Taproom and Oscar's Pizza operate as a unified hospitality experience.
• Assist the Counter and Kitchen teams as needed

Beverage Operations

• Maintain high standards for draft beer quality, beverage presentation, and responsible alcohol service.
• Oversee draft system best practices including keg changes, line cleaning schedules, and operational readiness.
• Ensure compliance with all North Carolina ABC regulations and company policies.
• Support inventory controls, product rotation, and merchandising standards.
• Monitor Ambassador performance and adherence to service standards.
• Reinforce attendance, reliability, and workplace expectations.
• Provide coaching and documentation as needed. Perform check-ins with Ambassadors on a regular basis.
• Partner with the Assistant General Manager on employee development and corrective action processes when appropriate.

Communication & Team Coordination

• Conduct effective pre-shift meetings and daily communications.
• Maintain strong communication between Taproom, Oscar's Pizza, Events, Marketing, and Facilities teams.
• Communicate operational updates, service opportunities, and guest concerns to leadership.
• Ensure smooth execution during transitions between shifts and departments.

Event & Programming Support

• Support execution of public events, festivals, live music, and private rentals.
• Coordinate staffing and operational plans for events.
• Ensure service standards are maintained during high-volume periods.
• Assist with event setup, execution, and breakdown as needed.

Cash Handling & Operational Controls

• Oversee POS operations and cash-handling procedures.
• Ensure accurate drawer management, deposits, and end-of-shift reconciliation.
• Monitor discounting, voids, comps, and refunds according to company policy.
• Support labor management and daily operational reporting.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, sanitation, alcohol service, and company policies.
• Promote safe food handling and sanitation practices.
• Communicate and collaborate with the Property Operations Manager to troubleshoot any facility maintenance or safety concerns.
• Document incidents and communicate significant issues to leadership.

Success Measures

• Consistent, positive guest feedback.
• Strong execution of campus-wide operations.
• Ambassador engagement, development, and retention.
• Achievement of service, cleanliness, and hospitality standards.
• Effective labor management and operational efficiency.
• Safe and compliant operations.
• Strong collaboration between bar, kitchen, events, and hospitality teams.

At-Will Employment

Employment with Highland Brewing Company is at-will. Employment may be terminated by either the employee or Highland Brewing Company at any time, with or without notice and with or without cause, subject to applicable law.