Job Description

BĀDŌ is looking for an experienced, warm and wine-obsessed Assistant Wine Bar Manager / Sommelier to help lead our front-of-house team.

This is a hands-on role for someone who loves great hospitality, has a genuine grounding in natural wine, and enjoys making guests feel at ease - whether they are choosing their first bottle or looking for something rare and unfamiliar.

You’ll work closely with the owner and our Junior Sommelier to run a smooth, welcoming and high-energy wine bar. This is not a corporate management role: we are looking for someone practical, calm and engaged, who is happy to be on the floor, lead a service, get stuck into the details, and help shape the day-to-day experience of BĀDŌ.

The role

You will be a key presence during service, supporting the team and taking responsibility for the running of shifts when needed. You’ll help deliver brilliant wine and food service, maintain high standards across the bar and cellar, and contribute ideas as the business develops.

Leading and supporting busy bar services, opening and closing shifts, and helping the team deliver warm, knowledgeable and efficient hospitality
Talking guests through the wine list in an approachable, engaging way, with thoughtful food and wine recommendations
Working alongside the owner and Junior Sommelier on the day-to-day care and development of the wine offering
Keeping up to date with the list, wines by the glass, producers, vintages and food menu
Helping to receive deliveries, organise the cellar and fridges, rotate stock and maintain excellent storage conditions
Leading in regular stock counts, flagging low stock, breakages, wastage and any discrepancies
Managing day-to-day relationships with wine, drinks and food suppliers; seeking out new producers and products, monitoring availability and supporting purchasing decisions
Helping to maintain the bar snacks, cheese, charcuterie and small-plate offer, ensuring everything is well presented and ready for service
Training and supporting front-of-house colleagues in wine knowledge, service standards and responsible alcohol service
Helping to plan staffing requirements and contribute to rotas, with an understanding of how labour supports service and sales
Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, presentation, health and safety, and licensing compliance
Building relationships with regulars and resolving guest queries or concerns with confidence and care
Supporting tastings, events, seasonal menu changes and other projects at the bar

At BĀDŌ, you will have a central role in a small independent wine bar, with real responsibility for the wine list, stock and daily running of the bar. You will work closely with the owner, help shape the business as it develops, and have regular opportunities to taste, learn and deepen your wine knowledge.

Job Requirements

You will have at least three years’ experience working with natural wine in a wine bar, restaurant, bottle shop or similar hospitality setting. Ideally, you’ll have previous experience as an AGM, senior floor manager or restaurant manager. You should be comfortable discussing low-intervention, organic and biodynamic wines with guests, and enthusiastic about continuing to learn.

You’ll also be:

A confident and generous host with excellent guest-service instincts
Experienced in running or supporting shifts in a busy hospitality environment
Organised, reliable and comfortable taking responsibility on the floor
Commercially aware, with a practical understanding of sales, margin, stock and labour
Confident using hospitality systems and managing the essential admin behind a well-run bar
Calm under pressure, with a good eye for detail
A natural team player who enjoys helping colleagues grow
Practical and happy to work across service, stock, cellar organisation and day-to-day operations
Interested in food, wine and thoughtful pairing
Able to communicate wine knowledge without making it feel intimidating
Eligible to work in the UK