Bar & Cocktail Manager
4 days ago
Wilmington
Job Description Bar & Cocktail Manager Del Pez Mexican Gastropub Hakuna Hospitality Group Position Overview Hakuna Hospitality Group is a growing, people-first restaurant company known for creating bold, guest-driven concepts rooted in strong leadership, creativity, and operational excellence. Our beverage programs are central to our brands—not an afterthought—and we invest in leaders who want to make a measurable impact. Del Pez Mexican Gastropub is a high-volume, energetic Mexican Gastropub where the bar sets the tone. Cocktails, spirits, and beer are core to the guest experience and are designed to be fresh, social, and continuously evolving. The Bar & Cocktail Manager is a revenue-focused, brand-forward leader who owns the bar program at one Del Pez location. This role blends creativity with strategy—driving sales, developing people, and keeping the beverage program relevant, exciting, and profitable. This is a hands-on leadership position ideal for an ambitious bar professional who wants to help move a growing brand forward. In addition to leading the bar program, this role is a key member of the restaurant leadership team and is expected to execute scheduled floor manager (Manager on Duty) shifts. During these shifts, the Bar & Cocktail Manager assumes full responsibility for restaurant operations, guest experience, team leadership, and service execution across all departments. Revenue Growth & Beverage Program Leadership (Primary Focus of the Role) • Drive bar revenue through strategic cocktail development, pricing, and menu engineering, • Create seasonal and feature cocktails designed to increase check averages and guest engagement, • Analyze beverage performance to promote high-margin cocktails and spirits, • Develop bar activations, features, and promotions that keep the brand fresh, relevant, and exciting, • Partner with leadership and marketing to support promotions, visuals, and social-forward content, • Build strong vendor relationships to support tastings, education, incentives, and innovation, • Ensure the beverage program stays trend-aware while remaining true to the Del Pez brand Bar Operations, Talent & Execution • Accountable for day-to-day bar operations and execution, • Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, and develop bartenders and bar support staff, • Conduct quarterly development plans and performance reviews for all bartenders, • Maintain high standards for cleanliness, organization, recipe accuracy, speed, and presentation, • Oversee inventory management, ordering, pars, rotation, and cost control, • Ensure proper storage procedures, equipment maintenance, and bar organization systems, • Uphold responsible alcohol service, ID verification, safety standards, and legal compliance, • Ensure all bar systems, procedures, and company policies are followed consistently Restaurant Leadership & Floor Management • Execute scheduled floor manager / Manager on Duty (MOD) shifts as part of the regular work schedule, • Lead front-of-house service, pacing, staffing, and execution during assigned shifts, • Manage guest experience, including table touches, issue resolution, and hospitality recovery, • Coordinate FOH, bar, and BOH teams to ensure seamless, high-quality service, • Execute opening and closing procedures, including cash handling, deposits, and shift reports, • Support labor deployment, floor plans, and real-time staffing decisions, • Uphold company policies, procedures, and service standards across the entire restaurant Why You’ll Love This Role • Creative Ownership – Real influence over cocktails, features, and bar direction, • Revenue Impact – Your ideas directly drive sales, guest engagement, and profitability, • Brand Relevance – A role for someone who wants to stay current, innovative, and culturally relevant, • Leadership Growth – Build and mentor a strong bar team while developing as a leader, • Supportive Company Culture – Work with a hospitality group that values people, accountability, and innovation, • Room to Grow – Opportunities within a multi-concept, expanding restaurant group Compensation & Benefits • Salary Range: $65,000 – $75,000, based on experience, • Quarterly Bonus Program tied to performance and results, • Health Insurance Options: Medical, Dental, and Vision, • 401(k) Program, • Paid Time Off (PTO), • Manager Dining Program Qualifications & Skills • Leadership experience in bar management or beverage program development, • Strong organizational skills with excellent follow-through and attention to detail, • Proven ability to coach, train, and motivate bar teams, • Passion for cocktail culture, beverage trends, and guest experience, • Excellent communication and leadership skills, • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, • Alignment with Hakuna Hospitality Group values and standards Company DescriptionDel Pez Mexican Gastropub is a modern Mexican concept with locations in Glen Mills, the Wilmington Riverfront, and Newark. Known for bold flavors, handcrafted cocktails, and an energetic, welcoming atmosphere, Del Pez delivers memorable dining experiences rooted in great food and genuine hospitality. Our team culture is built on professionalism, teamwork, and strong systems that support consistency and growth. We believe in developing people, creating a positive work environment, and delivering excellence in every shift. Del Pez is a place where passionate hospitality professionals can thrive, contribute, and build meaningful careers across our growing family of restaurants.Del Pez Mexican Gastropub is a modern Mexican concept with locations in Glen Mills, the Wilmington Riverfront, and Newark. Known for bold flavors, handcrafted cocktails, and an energetic, welcoming atmosphere, Del Pez delivers memorable dining experiences rooted in great food and genuine hospitality.\r\n\r\nOur team culture is built on professionalism, teamwork, and strong systems that support consistency and growth. We believe in developing people, creating a positive work environment, and delivering excellence in every shift.\r\n\r\nDel Pez is a place where passionate hospitality professionals can thrive, contribute, and build meaningful careers across our growing family of restaurants.