Golden State Cider - Sebastopol Taproom Manager

Sebastopol Taproom Manager

Location: Sebastopol, CA
Department: Sebastopol Taproom
Reports to: Human Resources Director

Join Our Small but Mighty Team!

At Golden State Cider (Sonoma Craft), we’re a tight-knit crew that takes pride in crafting exceptional beverages and building a workplace where people truly enjoy what they do.

We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on Taproom Manager to lead our flagship Sebastopol Taproom — driving day-to-day operations, team performance, and an exceptional guest experience while serving as the onsite leader and brand representative for Sonoma Craft (Golden State Cider). This role is responsible for operational execution, financial performance, labor and cost management, inventory control, and maintaining compliance with all regulatory and company standards in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

This position requires a strong floor presence and a leadership style rooted in hospitality, accountability, and collaboration. You’ll lead by example while developing your team, managing scheduling and staffing decisions, building community connections, and ensuring every guest experience reflects the quality and culture of Sonoma Craft (Golden State Cider).

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all daily taproom operations, ensuring exceptional guest service, operational consistency, and brand standards.

• Directly manage and oversee Taproom Supervisors, Leads, bartenders, and support staff.

• Exercise full authority related to interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, performance management, disciplinary action, and terminations in partnership with Human Resources.

• Develop staff through coaching, accountability, ongoing feedback, and performance development.

• Maintain appropriate staffing levels based on business volume, seasonality, special events, and labor targets.

Create, manage, and approve employee schedules and timecards.

• Monitor and manage labor costs, operational expenses, and departmental budgets.

• Drive taproom sales performance and execute promotions, marketing initiatives, activations, and special events in partnership with leadership teams.

• Analyze operational performance, guest feedback, staffing trends, and business metrics to identify improvement opportunities.

• Oversee inventory management, ordering, product rotation, shrink prevention, and product availability.

• Maintain accountability for cash handling procedures, deposits, POS compliance, and operational controls.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable OSHA requirements, California labor laws, food safety standards, alcohol service regulations, and company policies.

• Maintain all required permits, certifications, and operational documentation.

• Handle escalated guest concerns, complaints, and service recovery situations professionally and efficiently.

• Foster positive relationships with vendors, guests, community partners, and corporate leadership.

• Support execution of community events, nonprofit partnerships, offsite activations, and taproom marketing efforts.

• Ensure the taproom environment remains clean, safe, organized, visually appealing, and operationally ready at all times.

• Support workplace safety initiatives and maintain compliance with company safety expectations and workplace violence prevention standards.

• Adhere to manager meeting guidelines and expectations outlined in the Company Handbook

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies, operational expectations, and applicable employment laws.

• Responsible for employee accountability, performance management, coaching, corrective action, and team development.

• Exercises discretion and independent judgment regarding operational and personnel decisions.

• Manages merchandise at the production facility in coordination with the Marketing Brand Manager.

• Communicates with the San Francisco Taproom Manager for logistic needs of products outside the scope of Sonoma Craft products.

Skills & Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hospitality, taproom, bar, restaurant, or beverage industry management experience required.

• Prior experience managing high volume hospitality or customer service environments strongly preferred.

• Strong leadership, operational management, and problem solving skills.

• Strong understanding of labor management, scheduling, budgeting, and payroll processes.

• Knowledge of California employment practices and hospitality compliance standards preferred.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast paced environment.

• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• POS system proficiency required, Square experience preferred.

• Must be 21 years of age or older.

• Valid Responsible Beverage Service certification and Food Handler certification required.

Work Environment & Physical requirements

Office Hours/Location:

• This position is based in Sebastopol, CA.

• Expected in-office days and hours are expected to fluctuate during high season, and based on operational needs.

• Remote candidates will not be considered for this role.

• This role is classified as Exempt under California wage and hour laws. This position is not eligible for overtime pay in accordance with state and federal law.

Physical Requirements

• The work environment is primarily that of a taproom and bar service area.

• The employee regularly works in close contact with alcoholic beverages.

• The employee works on floors that may be wet or slippery and around bar equipment.

• The employee is occasionally exposed to cleaning and sanitizing agents.

• The employee must work to maintain a sanitary, safe, and welcoming environment for guests and staff.

• The role requires regular evening, weekend, and holiday shifts based on business needs.

• The employee must be able to tolerate varying noise levels, temperatures, and air quality, including working in both indoor and outdoor service areas.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 25-50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Requirements

• This role includes mandated reporter responsibilities under applicable California law. This position is required to comply with all reporting obligations related to suspected workplace misconduct, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other reportable conduct, in accordance with company policy and legal requirements.

• This role operates within the alcoholic beverage industry and may involve regular exposure to alcohol products. This position requires adherence to all company policies, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements related to the handling, production, and presence of alcohol in the workplace.

• This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or responsibilities. This role may require performing additional job-related tasks within the scope of the position as assigned, consistent with business needs.

Equal Opportunity Statement Sonoma Craft and its subsidiaries are proud equal opportunity employers. We embrace diversity and individuality in our teams and believe they are key to our success. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone can thrive.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel required (up to 15%), with locations throughout Sonoma County & San Francisco.

• San Francisco Taproom & Healdsburg Cidery

Compensation range is $75K Annually - $95K Annually
The posted pay range reflects the long-term earning potential for this role. Initial offers are determined based on non-discriminatory, business-related factors—including experience, education, training, professional certifications, geographic location, internal equity, and performance expectations—and are not made at the top of the range. By submitting your application, you confirm that your desired compensation aligns with this approach.

Benefits at Sonoma Craft

At Sonoma Craft, we believe in supporting the whole employee — mind, body, and lifestyle. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health Care Coverage

• Medical Insurance: 90% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent premiums covered

• Dental & Vision Insurance: 100% of the employee premium and 50% of dependent premiums covered

Monthly Wellness Allowance

• $100 monthly reimbursement to support physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing, including gym memberships, fitness classes, yoga, strength training, or passes to Regional, State, or National Parks

Paid Time Off

• 10 days of PTO accrued from your start date, with accrual increasing based on tenure after your first year of employment.

Company Holidays

• 11 paid holidays each year

Cider & Beer Allotments

• Monthly product perks to enjoy our craft beverages

401(k) Retirement Plan

• Eligibility begins after 90 days

• 100% match on the first 3%, and 50% match on the next 3%.

We’re building a workplace where people thrive, and these benefits are just one of the ways we show our appreciation for all that you bring to the team.