Bar Manager (Edinburgh Gin)
Organisation: Ian MacLeod Distillers
Location: Edinburgh
Are you an experienced bartender with a deep passion for mixology and the crafting and curation of serves, cocktails and menus? Do you have a proven record of leading successful bar teams to smoothly deliver daily operations whilst promoting innovation and creativity? Do you understand the importance of brand advocacy, and have a desire to help shape the direction of a new, premium and brand-led visitor experience and bar in the heart of Edinburgh?
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Setting the Scene…
Born in 2010, and distilled in the heart of our namesake city, Edinburgh Gin has established itself as a pioneer in craft and wonder-filled flavour. Having been consistently rated on Tripadvisor as one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions through an offering of innovative and engaging experiences, but not one for ‘resting on our laurels’, in January 2024 we closed the doors to our Edinburgh Gin West End Distillery and Hanover Street retail shop in preparation for our extraordinary next chapter…
Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, excitement is distilling as we look forward to opening our brand-new, state-of-the-art distillery at the Arches on East Market Street, where traditional craft meets innovation and we celebrate the art of gin-making amidst breath-taking views of Edinburgh’s skyline. This ongoing investment is a true testament to the pride we have in our product and our commitment to sharing this with our visitors, ensuring everyone who comes to see us has the most exceptional Edinburgh Gin experience.
With plans to welcome visitors from Autumn 2024, our new Brand Home is more than just a distillery; it’s a place where stories are told, where discoveries are made, where life-long connections are made with our brand, and where the spirit of Edinburgh comes alive.
As we embark on this next evolution of our Edinburgh Gin journey, fuelled by our passion for gin and dedication to excellence, we are now looking for kindred spirits to join us at this truly exciting time…
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Our opportunity…
At the heart of our brand, product and experience are the people that make it all happen. A critical element to our success is ensuring we have the right team in place, advocating for our brand, approaching their work creatively and innovatively and ensuring that everyone who engages with us has an exceptional experience.
In this first wave of our recruitment activities, we are delighted to now welcome interest in our exciting new role of Brand Homes Bar Manager (Edinburgh Gin).
This is a rare and unique opportunity for someone with extensive bartending and mixology experience to work on an opening project, years in the making. Completing our on-site management team, we’re looking for the right person to draw on their expertise and creativity to put their own stamp on how our brand is enjoyed and experienced. As Brand Homes Bar Manager (Edinburgh Gin), you will lead the bar team and its daily operation, supporting the delivery of tours, experiences, events and trade visits. You will be a key brand advocate, enthusiastically showcasing our products with in-depth product knowledge. Your skill, experience, curiosity, and ongoing research will be required to design our serve and cocktail menu, deepening brand engagement with all who come to see us. You will support the Brand Homes Manager and Central Brand to build and deliver a new strategic vision for the Brand Home bar, with profitability and commercial viability at the core and in line with the brand plan. As a key member of the Edinburgh Gin team, you will act as an ambassador for the Brand, engaging with our key trade customers by designing and hosting on site events and delivering training on our serve strategy. You will proudly use your industry network and social media presence to advocate for our craft and products, actively being a face for our brand, building strong relationships with our on-trade customers, partners and stakeholders.
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Who We Are Looking For …
This role is integral to the success of our new Brand Home, and we’re looking for candidates who are industry experts, with a strong, demonstrable background in the art of mixology and drinks menu curation. Direct previous experience leading the daily operation of a bar is essential, preferably within a high-end hospitality environment. We need an innovative individual with true passion for their craft and providing exceptional customer service and experiences, with a continuous desire to learn and adapt.
Our ideal candidate will be a charismatic, friendly and engaging individual, a team player who is able to build strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, working towards common goals. An excellent communicator who is confident presenting our Brand in person and on social media. Someone who is energised by their art and is thrives on sharing that enthusiasm.
We are looking for a professional who embodies our values and leads by example, with previous experience leading and developing a Bar team, establishing a warm and friendly culture that invites collaboration and experimentation. Excellent interpersonal skills and previous experience of people management and resource planning is essential.
The successful candidate will have commercial acumen and be technically competent with previous systems and Microsoft experience to support the smooth operation of the bar. We are looking for candidates who have an eye for detail and a drive for ongoing improvement.
We operate annualised hours, therefore previous experience of managing these operationally would be advantageous.
Candidates must also have a true and authentic passion for our Edinburgh Gin brand and be able to help translate brand values and ethos throughout all aspects of the operational world, making it their business to understand the competitive set and continuously striving to adapt and innovate.
Due to the nature of our operation and this role, we are looking for candidates who have flexibility in their availability. The role be offered on a full-time, permanent basis, working 5 from 7 days, including evening and weekends to facilitate our experience and event offering. You will also act, on a rotational basis, as a Duty Manager for the full site.
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Additional Information…
Edinburgh Gin is part of Ian Macleod Distillers, an entrepreneurial, family owned whisky and spirits business who own other premium and luxury brands such as Glengoyne, Rosebank, Tamdhu, Smokehead, to name but a few! ‘Crafting Spirits With Passion’ is what we do best. If you haven’t already, please browse around our company internet pages and immerse yourself in our colourful history and sample the details of some of our exquisite brands. As we start to tantalise your taste buds and whet your appetite for a career here with us at Ian Macleod Distillers, you will really get to understand just why our team members and customers are indeed so passionate about all things Ian Macleod!
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Next steps…
If after reading through, you still find that all of this really excites you, then we would love to hear from you!
Please remember that along with your CV, you will need to answer some key questions and submit a tailored cover letter, clearly outlining why your skills and previous experiences are a perfect fit to what we are looking for – remember this is your opportunity to make yourself stand out from the crowd!
Please note, this is an open application window therefore we may close the advert at any point depending on the candidate applications received so our recommendation is that you apply early to ensure you don’t miss out!
***No Agency Contact***
Proudly supporting the #OpenToWork movement.
Ian Macleod Distillers (IMD) are proud members of the Scotch Whisky Association, Drink Aware and the Portman Group. In our individual IMD way, we endeavour to follow best practice to help shape our commitment to wider social responsibility and industry standards. We are advocates of promoting responsible selling and consumption of alcohol