Head Barman

Wild Dreams Hospitality; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-in role

Job summary

Wild Dreams Hospitality in a luxury lodge is seeking a senior bartender to lead a small bar team and deliver exceptional beverage service across all service periods.

The role requires strong mixology knowledge, solid stock management, and proven leadership to maintain world-class guest experiences. This live-in position demands flexible hours including evenings and holidays.

Qualifications

• Senior hospitality professional with luxury lodge experience preferred.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities are essential.
• Excellent beverage knowledge and guest service excellence are required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve beverages to luxury lodge standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and presentation of bar areas and stations.
• Provide personalised, professional beverage service to guests.
• Engage with guests warmly and manage requests efficiently.
• Support development of beverage menus and signature cocktails.
• Manage beverage stock, inventory, and ordering processes.
• Conduct stock takes and minimise wastage with accurate records.
• Ensure correct storage and rotation of beverages.
• Monitor costs and support departmental targets.
• Coach and train bar staff to maintain high service standards.
• Ensure grooming, hygiene and regulatory compliance across the bar team.
• Assist with scheduling and staff performance management.
• Collaborate with departments to deliver seamless guest experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Stock control

Guest service

Communication

Education

Grade 12 and advantageous

Job description

This is a senior bar role for a polished, skilled hospitality professional who takes pride in delivering exceptional beverage service, leading a small bar team, and contributing to a world-class guest experience in a luxury lodge environment. The successful candidate will combine strong mixology and beverage knowledge with confident team leadership and solid stock management skills.

Core Criteria:

• Grade 12 or equivalent advantageous
• Proven bartending experience within a luxury hospitality environment preferred
• Strong knowledge of beverages, cocktails, wine, and bar service
• Mixology training and stock control experience advantageous
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and team management abilities
• Excellent guest service and communication skills
• Strong organisation, administration, and stock control abilities
• Financial awareness and ability to support cost control
• Well-presented and professional in appearance at all times
• Flexible and willing to work shift hours including evenings, weekends, and public holidays

Core Responsibilities:

• Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to luxury lodge standards across all service periods
• Maintain cleanliness, organisation, and presentation of all bar areas, equipment, and service stations
• Provide personalised, professional, and attentive beverage service to enhance the guest experience
• Engage with guests warmly while efficiently managing requests and concerns
• Support the development of beverage menus and signature cocktail offerings
• Manage beverage stock, inventory control, and ordering processes
• Conduct stock takes, minimise wastage, and maintain accurate records
• Ensure correct storage and rotation of all beverages at all times
• Monitor costs and support achievement of departmental financial targets
• Support, motivate, coach, and train bar staff to maintain high service and beverage knowledge standards
• Ensure compliance with grooming, hygiene, and operational standards across the bar team
• Assist with scheduling and staff performance management
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, health, and liquor regulations
• Promote responsible service of alcohol at all times
• Collaborate with all departments to ensure seamless guest experiences

This is a live-in role