What are the responsibilities and job description for the Taproom Manager - Iowa City position at Big Grove Brewery?
The Taproom Manager oversees the daily operations of a high-volume, full-service taproom, ensuring amazing guest experiences, efficient team management, and smooth execution services—all while maintaining a welcoming environment that reflects Big Grove’s culture and brand.
Core Values
Big Grove only hires and retains people who exhibit our core values. Our Core Values are:
Set the Tone
Thirst for Improvement
We Care
Practice Candor
Passion Driven
You will be given a culture deck explaining these core values. The goal of our culture deck is to show you who we are as a company, and then you can decide if you personally align with us and are excited to begin a career here.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Guest Experience & Service:
Deliver consistent amazing guest experiences through excellent service standards
Handle guest complaints with professionalism and proactive problem-solving.
Ensure that all food and beverages are served according to Big Grove standards
Team Leadership & Training:
Train and manage front-of-house (FOH) staff including bartenders, servers, hosts, and support staff.
Coach staff to uphold company values, performance standards, and guest service expectations.
Communicate expectations and hold team accountable to those expectations
Pre shifts every day! Let your team know the game plan every shift.
Operations Management:
Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety throughout the taproom.
Oversee daily opening and closing procedures.
Manage inventory and ordering of beverages, bar supplies, and front-of-house materials.
Monitor product freshness and ensure tap line cleanliness and keg rotation.
Financial Management:
Monitor and manage labor costs, COGS, and other operational expenses.
Execute daily cash handling, POS management, and sales reconciliation.
Work with the leadership team to develop and implement promotions, events, and sales strategies.
Compliance & Safety:
Ensure adherence to all federal, state, and local health and alcohol laws.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation related to employee certifications and licenses.
Conduct regular safety checks and support a proactive approach to workplace safety.
Competencies
Leadership: Inspires and leads a team with clarity, accountability, and enthusiasm.
Guest Focus: Prioritizes customer experience
Communication: Excellent communication with staff, leadership, and guests.
Decision-Making: Able to make timely and sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Organization: Strong time management, delegation, and operational planning skills.
Adaptability: Comfortable managing change and remaining flexible during peak business fluctuations.
Be a high performing Big Grove team member with ability to look at business as a whole, communicate with all people, collaborate with all departments, work to solve organizational problems, and accomplish goals. Contribute to and exemplify Big Grove values, vision, standards, and culture.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervises Front of The House Staff while running the shift. Works closely with Back of House Leadership to ensure Big Grove is operative the best way possible.
Work Environment
The work environment for this position is fast-paced, customer-focused, and team-oriented. FOH works in a dining room, bar, patio, or event setting. The environment may include:
Exposure to loud noise levels, frequent guest interaction, and crowded spaces
Working near hot equipment, sharp objects, and cleaning chemicals
Occasional exposure to outdoor elements in outdoor seating areas
Use of POS and cleaning chemicals
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Standing & Walking: Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods (8 hours), including moving between bar, kitchen, and dining areas frequently during shifts.
Lifting & Carrying: Regularly required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds (e.g., beer kegs, cases, supplies).
Reaching & Stooping: Frequent reaching, bending, kneeling, and stooping to access storage, clean equipment, or stock inventory.
Manual Dexterity: Must have strong hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for operating POS systems, pouring drinks, and handling small tools or glassware.
Communication: Clear verbal communication is essential in a loud, fast-paced environment.
Sensory Demands: Must be able to visually inspect drinks/food for quality and consistency and work in a noisy, dynamic space with frequent customer interaction.
Pace & Stamina: High level of stamina required to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment—especially during peak hours, weekends, and special events.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a part-time to full time position and hours of work/ days may vary from week to week. Schedules will be posted two weeks prior to allow time for employees to be informed of work requirements. The business is open 7 days a week during many day parts. Evening and weekends are a key requirement.
Travel
No travel is expected for this position
Education and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent.
1 year of related management experience preferred
Must be of legal age to serve and bartend per state law
Valid alcohol server/seller certification (as required by state law)
Strong knowledge of craft beer, cocktails, and food service best practices preferred
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.