Assistant General Manager
Beverage Program Lead — Borealis Grille & Bar
Guelph, ON | Full-Time | $50,000 base salary + over $10,000 additional compensation
About Us
The Neighbourhood Group of Companies is a collection of independent restaurants rooted in community, sustainability, and hospitality. Our restaurants include Borealis Grille & Bar (Guelph and Kitchener), Miijidaa Café + Bistro, The Wooly Pub, and Park Eatery.
For over three decades, our mission has been simple: serve great food, support our communities, and build a workplace where people can grow meaningful careers in hospitality.
We are proud to be a Certified B Corporation and a Feast On® partner, with more than 80% of our food and beverage purchases sourced from Ontario producers. Sustainability, local partnerships, and community engagement are central to everything we do.
About the Role
This is not your standard Assistant Manager role. Yes, you’ll be a key part of running front-of-house operations at Borealis Grille & Bar in Guelph — but the thing that sets this position apart is the beverage program.
We’re looking for someone who can bring genuine creativity and craft to our cocktail, non-alcoholic, wine, and beer offerings — built around local Ontario ingredients and producers. If you get excited about shrubs made from local fruit, find the right Ontario wine for a seasonal menu, or know how to build a non-alc program that doesn’t feel like an afterthought — we want to meet you.
You’ll report to the General Manager, lead a passionate front-of-house team, and have real creative ownership over a beverage program that reflects who we are.
The Kind of Person We’re Looking For
This role is a strong fit if you…
- Know the difference between a good cocktail and a great one — and you’re never satisfied with good
- Get genuinely excited about local ingredients, Ontario producers, and seasonal menus
- Think the non-alc program deserves as much attention as the back bar
- Can talk wine with enthusiasts and explain a local cider to a first-timer without missing a beat
- Lead from the floor, not from the office
- Stay calm when it gets loud and keep your team calm too
- See front-of-house leadership and beverage creativity as two sides of the same job
What You’ll Be Doing
Leadership & Operations
- Lead and inspire the front-of-house team on the floor, every shift
- Support daily operations with a focus on excellence, efficiency, and culture
- Coach and develop team members and support succession planning
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local suppliers, producers, and community partners
- Monitor and manage labour and cost controls alongside the General Manager
- Use POS, reservation, and inventory systems to keep the operation running smoothly (Silverware, OpenTable, and Optimum Control experience is a bonus)
Beverage Program
- Lead the creative direction of our cocktail, non-alcoholic, wine, and beer programs
- Build seasonal offerings using locally sourced ingredients from Ontario producers
- Develop and evolve craft-forward cocktails and a non-alc program that stands on its own
- Manage inventory, ordering, and quality standards for all beverage categories
- Stay current with industry trends and bring relevant ideas to the program
- Train and educate the team on the beverage program so they can sell it with confidence
About You
- At least 2 years of hospitality management experience in a restaurant or bar environment
- Hands-on leader with a team-first mindset and real floor presence
- Strong beverage knowledge across cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options
- Familiarity with local Ontario producers and ingredients is a significant asset
- Solid understanding of labour and cost controls
- Smart Serve certification required
- Experience with Silverware, OpenTable, or Optimum Control is an asset
Compensation — What to Expect
We believe in being straightforward about pay. Here is the full picture:
Base Salary $48,000–$52,000 annually, based on experience.
Team Share Paid bi-weekly, calculated on restaurant sales.
Quarterly Performance Bonus Based on KPIs and leadership metrics.
Expense Account Monthly allowance for work-related travel, phone, and dining.
Entertainment Account Monthly in-house allowance to host guests and support the team.
Paid Time Off 2 weeks paid vacation + 5 paid personal days per year.
Family Health Benefits Comprehensive coverage for you and your family.
Employee Assistance Program Available from Day 1. Confidential support for personal and professional well-being.
Employee Relief Fund Internal support programs to help team members navigate unexpected life challenges.
Team Dining Perks Staff dining discounts across all Neighbourhood Group restaurants.
The total compensation package — salary, team share, bonus, benefits, and allowances — can be valued well above $60,000 per year.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Neighbourhood Group of Companies is committed to building an inclusive and respectful workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to equitable hiring practices. Accommodations are available upon request throughout the recruitment process.
BY NEIGHBOURS — FOR NEIGHBOURS
Pay: $55,000.00-$60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Store discount
- Vision care
Experience:
- Restaurant management: 2 years (required)
- Hospitality: 5 years (required)
- Inventory control: 2 years (required)
- Leadership: 2 years (required)
- Bar management: 2 years (required)
Language:
Work Location: In person
