Do you get excited about being part of a team focused on building a company--an exciting brand--that will last for over 100 years?
We believe the way to build such a company is to build a family of employees and customers who have the same beliefs and goals:
- We believe in providing the highest quality experience for the people we work with--both our customers and our employees.
- We believe in sharing our excitement with the people we work with--both our customers and our employees.
- We believe in having fun with the people we work with--both our customers and our employees.
We believe that if the foundation of the company is built on these beliefs, then everything else will follow: high quality products and services, excellent customer service, employee satisfaction, long term profits, etc.
Does this foundation sound like something you would like to help create? If so, we may want to talk to you.
In the past few years JBM Hospitality has expanded. Not only does the company manage a high-end, semi-private golf course, Mistwood Golf Club, but also three restaurants (McWethy’s Tavern, McWethy’s Sports Bar and The James), two banquet facilities (The Great Hall at Mistwood and The Grand Ballroom at Joliet Union Station) and a sports dome (Mistwood Golf Dome). While each property is a different concept, they share one important characteristic: each is an exciting place where enthusiastic people come together to create a special experience.
We are looking for somebody to assist in the restaurant operation at McWethy's Tavern. Most of the guests that join us in our dining rooms are there to get away from distractions of the outside world, and we need somebody who understands, appreciates and contributes to these moments. In short, we need someone who will play a key role on our team.
Yes, there are certain requirements. We are looking for somebody who has experience operating restaurants and also has experience leading a team. But the most important characteristics we are looking for are passion, energy, and determination to help us build a brand to match our exciting future.
If this idea excites you, then please send me an email and tell me about you so we can set up a time to talk.
I guarantee whoever takes this job will be a big part of something special.
The Assistant Restaurant Manager at McWethy’s Tavern is an assistant leadership role that serves as the operational backbone of the restaurant during all hours of service. This is a full-time, salaried position requiring full time hours, with a schedule that spans days, evenings, weekends, and select holidays. The Assistant Restaurant Manager reports directly to the General Manager and is expected to function as a capable decision-maker in the GM’s absence. This role demands a hospitality professional who leads from the floor, someone whose presence elevates the energy of the room, raises the standard of service, and earns the respect of both staff and guests. The Assistant Restaurant Manager is equally accountable for the financial health of the operation, the quality of the guest experience, and the development of every hourly team member on the floor. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Brand Stewardship & Culture
- Contributing to the establishment, promotion, and protection of the McWethy's Tavern & Mistwood Golf Club brands.
- Lead by example with a high-energy, guest-first attitude that inspires the entire team to take pride in their work and create memorable experiences for every guest.
- Establish and protect a culture of genuine hospitality, one where guests feel welcomed, cared for, and compelled to return.
- Maintain consistent “show-quality” standards throughout every shift, ensuring the physical environment, staff presentation, and service execution reflect the brand at its best.
- Communicate openly and consistently with the General Manager, Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations, and culinary team to ensure operational alignment across all departments.
Service Excellence & Guest Experience
- Personally oversee the flow of service during high-volume periods, proactively identifying and correcting breakdowns before they impact the guest.
- Set a non-negotiable standard for table touches, timing, and hospitality, and hold the team accountable to it through observation and real-time coaching.
- Handle all guest complaints and compliments directly, professionally, and with genuine ownership. Every recovery is an opportunity to deepen loyalty.
- Ensure attention to detail is embedded in every shift: table settings, cleanliness, pacing, beverage program presentation, and server knowledge of the menu.
- Monitor and respond to guest feedback across all platforms, using it as a tool to identify training gaps, operational issues, and service wins to replicate.
- Create an environment where guests feel seen and appreciated from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave.
Hourly Staff Training & Development
- Lead the onboarding process for all new hourly hires, ensuring every team member enters service with a thorough understanding of McWethy’s Tavern standards, menu, and service expectations before their first-floor shift.
- Maintain structured training materials for all front-of-house roles, including servers, bartenders, hosts, and support staff, including role-specific checklists, service scripts, and menu knowledge tests.
- Conduct regular pre-shift meetings that are purposeful and brief, covering daily features, 86’d items, floor assignments, service focuses, and motivational reinforcement.
- Perform consistent in-service observation of hourly staff, providing real-time, constructive coaching during and after shifts, not just during formal reviews.
- Identify underperforming team members early and create individualized retraining plans. Document progress and hold follow-up conversations within an established timeframe.
- Recognize and develop high-potential hourly staff, creating a pipeline of team members ready to take on shift lead or supervisory responsibilities.
- Maintain a culture of accountability where expectations are clear, feedback is direct and respectful, and improvement is both expected and supported.
Recruiting & Selective Hiring
- Partner with the General Manager to actively recruit front-of-house and support staff who are not only qualified, but who reflect the culture and values of McWethy’s Tavern.
- Conduct structured interviews with behavioral and situational questions that assess a candidate’s service orientation, reliability, and team fit, not just their experience.
- Make decisive, thoughtful hiring recommendations and maintain a bench of qualified candidates to reduce the operational risk of unexpected turnover.
- Ensure every new hire is properly onboarded, clearly communicated with regarding expectations, and given a structured path to full independence on the floor.
Financial Acumen & Operational Accountability
- Monitor daily sales projections and budgets, understanding how cover counts, check averages, and product mix drive top-line performance.
- Build and manage the FOH schedule to align staffing levels with projected volume, minimizing overtime while ensuring service quality is never compromised. Adjust in real time to callouts or unexpected shifts in business.
- Assist in managing beverage costs by overseeing ordering, receiving accuracy, and inventory controls. Identify and flag variances, waste, or inconsistencies to the GM promptly.
- Conduct regular liquor, supply, and smallware’s inventory counts with accuracy and consistency. Maintain par levels and work with the GM to ensure vendor relationships are managed for quality and cost efficiency.
- Actively work toward achieving all assigned cost and budget goals on a daily and weekly basis. Understand the P&L well enough to make informed decisions on the floor that impact the bottom line.
- Thoroughly and accurately operate the Toast POS system, including cash handling procedures, comps and voids within approval authority, and the generation of daily sales reports used for operational decision-making.
- Collaborate with the GM to develop targeted promotions that align with seasonal trends, local events, and revenue opportunities, with a focus on increasing frequency and average spend.
Safety, Sanitation & Standards Compliance
- Ensure all security, health, and sanitation standards are maintained throughout every shift in compliance with Illinois state requirements.
- Enforce responsible alcohol service practices without exception, including intervention protocols for guests who are visibly intoxicated.
- Maintain a physically safe and clean environment for both guests and staff, promptly addressing any hazards, maintenance needs, or cleanliness issues.
- Ensure all staff are current on their Food Handler, Food Allergen, BASSET/TIPS, certifications as required by the state of Illinois, and food safety requirements, and that responsible alcohol service is practiced and enforced without exception.
Team Management & Morale
- Always act as a role model for the team, in work ethic, attitude, communication, and hospitality.
- Monitor individual employee morale and needs, proactively identifying team members who may be struggling and addressing concerns before they escalate.
- Ensure all staff have the tools, knowledge, and support required to do their jobs well, removing operational obstacles where possible.
- Cover shifts on short notice when needed and adapt scheduling in response to illness, callouts, or unexpected demand, leading by example when the floor needs reinforcement.
- Foster a team culture where every person, from the host stand to the bar, understands that their individual performance matters to the overall guest experience.
Qualifications
- Managerial Food Safety and Sanitation, Food Allergen and BASSET and/or TIPS certification as required by the state of Illinois.
- Ability to taste and evaluate food and beverage products.
- English reading, writing, math, and computer skills required.
- Stamina to work 50 hours or more per week as business dictates.
- Must be able to work extended shifts of 8+ hours or more as business dictates.
- Must be flexible with schedule and able to work different shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and some holidays.
- Possible job hazards include but not limited to; slips, trips, falls, burns, cuts and strains.
- Must be able to reach, lift, stoop, bend and perform extensive standing and walking (including stairs) throughout the shift.
- Ability to use hands in using office equipment, including the computer system.
- Ability to talk and hear to conduct phone correspondence.
- Acting as a role model for the staff.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $55,000.00 - $62,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Pay may depend on skills and/or qualifications
Work Location: In person
