Head Barman

Craven Cottage CC; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC is seeking an experienced bar professional to fuel luxury lodge beverage service. You will prepare and present premium drinks, manage stock, and lead a small team to uphold impeccable standards.

The role emphasizes guest-centric service, extensive mixology knowledge, and strict adherence to hygiene and safety protocols while supporting menu development and cost control.

Qualifications

• Matric or Grade 12; advantageous.
• Luxury hospitality bartending experience preferred.
• Strong beverage, cocktail, wine and bar service knowledge.
• Mixology training and stock control experience advantageous.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays.
• Professional appearance and strong guest service and communication skills.
• Strong organisation, administration, and cost awareness.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to luxury lodge standards.
• Maintain cleanliness, organisation, and presentation of all bar areas, equipment, and service stations.
• Assist with daily bar setup and closing procedures.
• Ensure proper care and maintenance of bar equipment and glassware.
• Support the development of beverage menus and signature cocktail offerings.
• Provide personalised, professional, and attentive service to enhance the guest experience.
• Engage with guests warmly while efficiently managing requests and concerns.
• Ensure prompt and exceptional beverage service in line with luxury lodge standards.
• Manage beverage stock, inventory control, and ordering processes.
• Conduct stock takes, minimise wastage, and maintain accurate records.
• Ensure correct storage and rotation of beverages.
• Monitor costs and support achievement of departmental financial targets.
• Support and motivate bar staff while ensuring high service standards.
• Provide coaching and training to improve skills and beverage knowledge.
• Ensure compliance with grooming, hygiene, and operational standards.
• Assist with scheduling and staff performance management.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, health, and liquor regulations
• Always promote responsible service of alcohol
• Ensure all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are followed
• Maintain a safe and hygienic working environment
• Collaborate with departments to ensure seamless guest experiences.
• Maintain effective communication and promote teamwork, professionalism, and a positive work environment.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Mixology

Beverage knowledge

Guest service

Communication

Education

Grade 12 (Matric)

Job description

Duties:

Bar Operations:

• Prepare and serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to luxury lodge standards.
• Maintain cleanliness, organisation, and presentation of all bar areas, equipment, and service stations.
• Assist with daily bar setup and closing procedures.
• Ensure proper care and maintenance of bar equipment and glassware.
• Support the development of beverage menus and signature cocktail offerings.

Guest Experience:

• Provide personalised, professional, and attentive service to enhance the guest experience.
• Engage with guests warmly while efficiently managing requests and concerns.
• Ensure prompt and exceptional beverage service in line with luxury lodge standards.

Stock Control & Administration:

• Manage beverage stock, inventory control, and ordering processes.
• Conduct stock takes, minimise wastage, and maintain accurate records.
• Ensure correct storage and rotation of beverages.
• Monitor costs and support achievement of departmental financial targets.

Staff Supervision & Training:

• Support and motivate bar staff while ensuring high service standards.
• Provide coaching and training to improve skills and beverage knowledge.
• Ensure compliance with grooming, hygiene, and operational standards.
• Assist with scheduling and staff performance management.

Hygiene, Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, health, and liquor regulations
• Always promote responsible service of alcohol
• Ensure all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are followed
• Maintain a safe and hygienic working environment

Teamwork & Communication:

• Collaborate with departments to ensure seamless guest experiences.
• Maintain effective communication and promote teamwork, professionalism, and a positive work environment.

Requirements:

• Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent advantageous.
• Luxury hospitality bartending experience preferred.
• Strong beverage, cocktail, wine, and bar service knowledge.
• Mixology training and stock control experience advantageous.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays.
• Professional and well-presented appearance.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and team management abilities.
• Advanced beverage knowledge and mixology skills.
• Excellent guest service and communication skills.
• Strong organisation, administration, and stock control abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure with attention to detail and effective problem-solving skills.
• Financial awareness and ability to support cost control.