Assistant Operations Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Operations Manager is responsible for the operational execution of Snake Oil's beverage catering events and for the systems, standards, and training that make that execution repeatable. Partnering with the Vice President of Operations, this role plans event logistics, prepares equipment and documentation, and leads teams onsite from load-in through breakdown — serving as a primary point of contact for clients, venues, and vendors along the way. Beyond individual events, this role builds and enforces the Standard Operating Procedures that govern preparation, transport, setup, service, inventory, and safety, and supports the recruiting, onboarding, and training of the bartenders and event staff who carry them out. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable making sound decisions in a live event environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Event Planning & Coordination: Partners with the Vice President of Operations to plan and coordinate operational execution with the sales team, managing event timelines, logistics, staffing plans, equipment needs, and operational details to ensure seamless execution.

Client, Venue & Vendor Liaison: Serves as a primary point of contact for clients, venues, vendors, and internal teams before and during events, including conducting site visits and event walk-throughs as needed.

Event Documentation: Prepares and maintains event documents including floor plans, timelines, staffing schedules, load-in and load-out plans, and event notes.

Equipment & Prep Readiness: Oversees pull sheet planning, event preparation, and equipment readiness for assigned events.

Onsite Leadership: Leads onsite operations and ensures exceptional service delivery, client satisfaction, and adherence to company standards.

Team Supervision: Supervises and coordinates leads, bartenders, barbacks, event staff, and support teams throughout the event.

Run of Show Management: Manages event setup, run of show, service, breakdown, equipment accountability, and the cleanliness of all work areas.

Issue Resolution: Troubleshoots operational issues quickly and professionally while maintaining a positive experience for internal teams and guests alike.

Compliance & Safety: Ensures compliance with applicable alcohol-service laws, company policies, food-safety practices, and workplace safety standards.

Post-Event Reporting: Completes post-event reporting, inventory reconciliation, staff feedback, and operational debriefs.

Process Improvement: Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, improve communication, reduce waste, and increase operational efficiency, and partners with the VP of Operations to implement best practices across event operations, staffing, and logistics.

Performance & Cost Control: Monitors operational performance and contributes to reporting, analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and cost-control efforts.

Vendor, Product & Technology Evaluation: Supports the evaluation of vendors, products, equipment, and technology, and recommends practical improvements that strengthen quality, consistency, profitability, and scalability.

SOP Development: Develops, implements, and maintains clear, practical Standard Operating Procedures covering event preparation, unloading and packing, transportation, setup, service, breakdown, inventory, equipment care, and safety.

SOP Rollout & Enforcement: Leads SOP rollouts and reinforces adoption through training, coaching, audits, and performance feedback, ensuring procedures stay current, communicated, and consistently followed.

SOP Review: Reviews and updates SOPs regularly to reflect business growth, operational changes, and lessons learned.

Staffing Support: Assists with recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, and training bartenders, event staff, and operational support team members.

Training Delivery: Develops training materials and delivers ongoing instruction on service standards, beverage knowledge, company procedures, safety, and hospitality.

Briefings & Debriefs: Conducts pre-event briefings and post-event debriefs to reinforce expectations and identify improvement opportunities.

Coaching & Team Culture: Provides constructive coaching and performance feedback that supports employee growth and accountability, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture centered on professionalism, reliability, hospitality, and continuous improvement.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Experience: 2–4 years of experience in beverage catering, hospitality, events, restaurants, or related operations; leadership or supervisory experience preferred.

Age Requirement: Must be at least 21 years of age or older by the start of employment.

Event Volume: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple events, deadlines, teams, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Systems & Process: Experience developing or implementing SOPs, training programs, or operational systems.

Technical Literacy: Proficiency with Google Workspace; experience with event-operations, scheduling, or POS systems is a plus.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND COMPETENCIES

Certifications: California RBS (Responsible Beverage Service) certification and a San Diego County food handler card required within the timeframe required by law; may be obtained after hire where permitted.

Driver's License: Valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the Company's insurer, for travel between venues and event sites. 

Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership, communication, organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills.

Judgment: Detail-oriented, proactive, solutions-focused, and comfortable making sound decisions onsite under time pressure.

Transportation: Must reliably commute to San Diego, CA or plan to relocate prior to start date.

SCHEDULE AND AVAILABILITY

• Full-time position with hours driven by the event calendar.
• Nights, weekends, holidays, and extended event hours are required due to industry demands.
• Fully in person position, not remote.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, climb, and remain active for extended periods during load-in, service, and breakdown.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and to push, pull, and move event equipment and supplies.
• Ability to work in a variety of indoor and outdoor event environments, including exposure to heat, cold, and wet conditions.

COMPENSATION

$26.00 – $34.00 per hour (dependent on experience)

Benefits Include:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Free parking or trolley adjacent office location

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Snake Oil Cocktail Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on business necessity, merit, and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, California, or local law.

The Company complies with all applicable employment laws enforced by the California Civil Rights Department and the City of San Diego.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT

Snake Oil Cocktail Company provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances in accordance with applicable law. Applicants requiring accommodation during the application or selection process may contact Human Resources.

AT WILL EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER

Submission of an application does not create a contract of employment or guarantee of continued employment. Any employment relationship established will be at will and may be terminated by either the employee or the Company at any time with or without cause or notice consistent with applicable law.

AUTHORIZATION TO WORK

All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Proof of authorization will be required upon hire.

BACKGROUND CHECK AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Where permitted by law and relevant to the role, offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of job related background checks conducted in compliance with the California Fair Chance Act.

TO ALL STAFFING AND RECRUITING AGENCIES

This job posting is intended solely for individuals seeking employment directly with the company.

Staffing agencies, recruiting firms, and third party representatives are not authorized to submit applications, resumes, or candidate information through this site or directly to company employees, hiring managers, or any company location. Any such submissions will be considered unsolicited.

The company does not accept or assume responsibility for fees, commissions, or other charges related to unsolicited resumes or applications. Submission of unsolicited candidate information does not establish an obligation or agreement of any kind.