Drinks Development Manager

Role Overview

The Drinks Development Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality, consistency and creativity of the beverage offering across the estate. This role ensures our teams are well supported, our products are industry-leading, and our guests enjoy an exceptional and consistent experience.

Key Responsibilities

Drinks Development (2 Days per Week)

Drive the innovation, quality and execution of the group’s drinks menus.

· Leading the creation and development of seasonal and core drinks menus across the estate.

Supporting activation planning, including menu launches, seasonal campaigns and supplier partnerships.
Conducting tastings, competitor analysis and market research to ensure the group remains current and competitive.
Reviewing drink specifications, yields and pricing to ensure margin integrity while maintaining premium quality.
Working closely with the Food Development team to create cohesive food and drink alignments.
Collaborating with Operations, Marketing and Procurement to ensure menus are profitable, scalable and operationally achievable.
Working with Procurement to source new products, negotiate with suppliers and review category performance.

Learning & Development (1 Day per Week)

Lead the delivery of training programmes that support bar performance, product knowledge and guest experience.

· Delivering inductions for new team members, with a focus on bar skills, service standards and operational expectations.

Running ongoing development sessions, including cocktail training, spirits knowledge, dispense training and responsible alcohol service.
Supporting supplier-led training sessions and strengthening supplier relationships.
Ensuring consistency in drink quality across sites through structured coaching, skills auditing and follow‑up support.
Creating or updating training materials, SOPs, recipe guides and learning content in collaboration with the People Team.

Venue Support (2 Days per Week)

Act as a relief Bar Manager supporting venues across the estate.

Stepping into bar leadership roles during peaks, absences or when additional support is required.
Upholding brand, service and operational standards, ensuring consistency across all sites.
Supporting venue teams with bar set-up, stock management, quality control and cash handling procedures.
Coaching and motivating on-site bar teams, modelling exceptional service and drink standards.
Identifying operational gaps and feeding insight back to Operations and People teams.

Key Skills & Experience

Brand development experience, including shaping, elevating and maintaining brand identity through consistent drinks innovation and guest experience standards.
Business development experience gained within a reputable company, contributing to growth through product innovation, supplier partnerships and commercially aligned menu strategies.
Customer liaison experience, building strong relationships with guests, gathering feedback and ensuring an exceptional and consistent experience across venues.
Consumer liaison skills, using insight, feedback and market trends to inform product development, menu design and service improvements.
Proven leadership experience within hospitality, including roles as Bar Manager or Drinks Developer.
Expertise in cocktail creation and drinks development, with strong commercial awareness and an ability to balance creativity with margin control.
Strong training and coaching ability, supporting bar teams with skills development, service standards and product knowledge.
Solid understanding of operational bar management including stock control, compliance, cash handling and guest service.
Highly organised, capable of managing multisite responsibilities and collaborating effectively with Operations, People, Food Development and Procurement teams.
Passionate about hospitality, innovation and continuous learning.