Bar Manager

Love great hospitality, great drinks and creating an experience people want to come back to?

Spring Mill Distillery is looking for an experienced, hands on Bar Manager to lead The Ward Bar and our front of house team. This is a working leadership role for someone who enjoys being behind the bar with their team while also taking real ownership of the guest experience, people, day to day operations and overall performance of the bar.

A Little About Us

Spring Mill Distillery is a locally owned distillery located in Guelph’s historic Ward neighbourhood, along the banks of the Speed River. We are passionate about creating exceptional spirits, memorable experiences and a place where people genuinely enjoy spending time. We are a growing, entrepreneurial team with big ideas for what comes next, and The Ward Bar is an important part of that future.

What You’ll Do

- Take ownership of the day to day operations of The Ward Bar and Retail, including staffing, service, inventory, cleanliness and operational readiness.
- Work alongside the team, regularly bartending and serving while providing visible leadership, direction and accountability.
- Lead, coach and develop Bar Supervisors, Servers and Tour Guides, setting clear expectations, providing feedback and addressing performance or behavioural concerns when needed.
- Deliver an exceptional guest experience and ensure consistent service standards.
- Manage FOH scheduling, labour requirements and timesheets, working closely with the Events team to ensure appropriate coverage.
- Manage inventory and ordering,



ensuring appropriate stock levels are maintained while effectively managing waste and cost controls.
- Monitor sales, labour and other key performance indicators and bring forward ideas to increase traffic, repeat visits and profitability.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, training and development of the FOH team.
- Develop beverage menus and bring fresh ideas to continuously improve The Ward Bar and guest experience.

What You Bring

- Minimum three years of progressive hospitality experience, including demonstrated experience in a supervisory or management role with direct responsibility for leading and managing employees.
- Demonstrated people management experience, including setting expectations, coaching employees, providing feedback and addressing performance concerns.
- Strong leadership skills and the confidence to lead from the floor.
- A proactive approach with the ability to identify what needs to be done, solve problems and follow through without requiring significant direction.
- Experience managing bar operations, including staffing, inventory management, ordering and cost controls.
- Strong customer service, communication and organizational skills.
- In depth knowledge of beverages,



mixology and hospitality trends.
- Comfort working in a hands on environment, including regularly bartending and serving as part of the role.
- Familiarity with point of sale systems and inventory management software is an asset.
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
- Smart Serve and Food Handler Certificates.
- Open availability, including evenings, weekends and holidays, based on the needs of the business.

What We Offer

- Salary of $52,000 to $58,000 annually, based on experience.
- Comprehensive health and benefits program.
- Employee discounts and Spring Mill perks.
- A unique and fun hospitality environment in a growing, entrepreneurial company.
- The opportunity to bring your ideas, take real ownership of The Ward Bar and have a meaningful impact on what comes next.

If you are an experienced hospitality leader who enjoys being behind the bar just as much as leading the team behind it, we’d love to hear from you.

Pay: $52,000.00-$58,000.00 per year

Advantages:

- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Application question(s):

- What is your availability?
- What do you know about Spring Mill Distillery/The Ward Bar and why would you like to join our team?

Experience:

- Bar management: 3 years (preferred)
- supervisory or management: 3 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- Smart Serve (preferred)
- Food Handler Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Bar Manager (Guelph)
🏢 Spring Mill Distillery
📍 Guelph