Tasting Room Bar Supervisor

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

New Riff Distilling, founded in 2014, is an independently owned Kentucky Bourbon Distillery. We’re a new riff on an old tradition. We focus on Bourbon and Rye Whiskey as well as offering one of the most robust single-barrel programs in the industry. New Riff is located in Newport, KY, on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We’re open for tours, tastings, experiences, and shopping. We are “respectfully different” from the Bourbon Distilleries that have come before us – offering a unique take on America’s Spirit. Learn more at newriffdistilling.com

JOB SUMMARY:

At New Riff Distilling, we’re passionate about crafting exceptional spirits and delivering outstanding guest experiences. We’re looking for an enthusiastic, self-driven Bar Supervisor to lead our Tasting Room team. In this role, you’ll drive the growth of the Tasting Room, foster a positive, team-oriented atmosphere, and create a warm, inclusive environment for both guests and teammates.

As a leader, you'll oversee daily operations, manage bar staff, and facilitate memorable experiences that showcase our premium spirits and people-first culture. Your leadership will be key in building a supportive, high-performing team and elevating the guest experience through thoughtful service, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• New Riff Brand Ambassador: Become a subject matter expert on everything New Riff - our products and the industry as a whole. Using this brand ambassador lens as the key to guide innovative initiatives and growth in the Tasting Room. This will include ongoing training and being able to facilitate tours and tastings for guests, media, and industry professionals
• Leadership & Team Culture: Lead by example, fostering a culture of clear, kind communication, self-reliance, and empathy. Ensure that every team member is empowered, supported, and able to deliver the highest standard of service.
• Operational Oversight: Oversee daily operations, including opening and closing procedures, managing inventory, weekly ordering, and ensuring staff adherence to SOPs. Work closely with the Hospitality Director and Event Coordinator to ensure smooth and efficient service and a consistently high level of hospitality. Regularly collaborate, communicate with the rest of the Hospitality Department (Tours and Single Barrel Experience team) and occasionally collaborate with other departments.
• Spirits and Cocktail Program Management: Development and execution of cocktail menu changes, train staff on new offerings, and manage batch cocktail requests. Collaborate with the Hospitality Director, Sales, PR, and Marketing teams to create unique, on-brand cocktails for media, events, and promotions.
• Guest Experiences and Strategic Collaboration: Take the initiative to engage and inspire guests by crafting memorable experiences that showcase New Riff’s high quality spirits. This involves working closely with the Hospitality Director, Sales, Marketing, and Distillery teams to develop and execute initiatives that align with marketing and sales campaigns, while ensuring clear communication and smooth integration across all operations, driving growth, increasing sales, and enhancing the guest experience.
• Training & Development: Update SOPs and training materials for the Aquifer Tasting Room. Facilitate training sessions, ensuring that every team member has the knowledge and tools to succeed.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Hourly Rate: $18–$20/hour (based on experience), plus tips.
• Estimated tip income (based of prior year averages) additional $16-$22/hour in tips
• Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Paid Time Off: 2 weeks paid vacation, flexible sick and personal days
• 401k: Individual contributions after 90 days of service and a $5,000.00 annual lump sum
  contribution from New Riff after 1 year of service.

Schedule:
Wednesday–Sunday, with a combination of office and bartender shifts. Two office days, and three bartending shifts.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 2 years of leadership or management experience in hospitality or the spirits industry
• 2 years of bartending and customer service experience
• Proven experience in event planning and executing customer experiences
• Strong communication skills, with a focus on clarity, kindness, and empathy

Preferred:

• Experience managing high-traffic, customer-facing operations
• Knowledge of spirits and cocktail creation, with a passion for ongoing learning
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and remain calm and focused under pressure
• Strong attention to detail, particularly in managing inventory and SOPs
• Creativity and innovation in curating unique guest experiences and programming
• Adaptability and flexibility with a fail forward mindset

Core Competencies:

• Clear Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with guests, staff, and cross-functional teams in a warm, professional, and empathetic manner. Must be able to gather, collate and share many details between, across and directly to customers and co-workers alike. Must be able to effectively solicit timely responses and requests from the same stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Ability to inspire, motivate, and support team members while maintaining a positive and high-performing team culture.
• Customer Focus: A relentless dedication to providing exceptional service and creating memorable guest experiences.
• Operational Management & Efficiency: Demonstrates strong time management skills, the ability to prioritize tasks effectively, and a high level of self-reliance. Showcases high level organization skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to execution, and meeting deadlines .

Physical Requirements:
This role involves working on the floor, as well as occasional office tasks. Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs and be on your feet for extended periods.

At New Riff, we are committed to building an inclusive and supportive work environment where every team member can thrive. If you’re a proactive, service-oriented leader with a passion for hospitality and spirits, we want to hear from you!

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

At New Riff Distilling diversity, equity, and inclusion are directly aligned with the fundamental belief that a diverse workforce allows us to see problems in more nuanced ways, creating the thought leadership needed to fulfill our mission and reach our goals. New Riff Distilling is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes people from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply.

EMPLOYEE VALUE PROPOSITION:

New Riff cares as much for our people as we do for our whiskey; in fact, we think the two are mutually inclusive. We believe we can only reach our goals by Doing Things Right, by improvising as best we can in our little corner of the world, and by uplifting the quality of life for all who work on it.

Just like our whiskey, we’re a new riff on an old tradition, balancing the best parts of the modern workplace with some of the “old school” values of years past. New Riff offers 100% employer paid benefits for our team and their families – something only 10% of businesses our size offer.

We understand life happens outside of work, and believe employees and their families deserve time, security, a “better than most” compensation package, and control of their lives. Thus, New Riff offers flexible PTO, competitive “day one” vacation benefits you can actually enjoy, and paid parental leave. We’re young, we’re driven and we believe in a very simple rule --- if we treat the people right, with respect and fairness, the whiskey will turn our right too.

Salary : $5,000