Department Manager (Sterling, IL)

Location: 4304 E Lincolnway Avenue Suite A - Sterling, IL 61081

Salary: $18.00 - $27.40 hourly

Job Purpose and Scope

All Managers share responsibility to follow the World Wide Wings Manager Description combined with specific duties for the following positions:

• Heart of House (HOH) Department Manager – responsible for all food/product matters in the HOH area, staff planning, development and maintenance of a safe environment, and profitability through revenue and labor management.
• Bar Department Manager – responsible for all adult beverage matters, ordering, inventory control, compliance, hiring, training and motivation of bartenders and bar servers, and profit management.
• Hospitality Manager – responsible for dining room service, team planning and development, and a safe environment.

Responsibilities

• Directly responsible for staffing, succession planning, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, orientation, training, and development of departmental team members to maintain staffing guidelines.
• Responsible for WCT training, maintaining departmental training certification, and creating action/development plans for direct reports.
• Coordinate with other Department Managers on hiring decisions and growth opportunities.
• Create weekly department schedules within budgeted labor guidelines.
• Develop and implement incentive programs and contests; motivate team participation in company promotions.
• Provide regular performance feedback, conduct timely performance appraisals, develop semi‑annual merit increase process.
• Assist the General Manager with coaching and performance management of other managers.
• Utilize support teams/subject matter experts as needed and provide coaching and follow‑up to direct reports.
• Conduct departmental meetings to communicate successes, new procedures, and areas for improvement.
• Ensure all departmental Team Members have required state training permits.
• Actively seek techniques to attract new guests and handle guest complaints appropriately, using the GEM program.
• Maintain adherence to food safety, health, and inventory standards as per Board of Health and company policies.

Quality Operations

• Heart of House Department Manager – facilitate new food product rollouts, ensure team quality standards, communicate with food vendors, monitor equipment, manage inventory, operate within health regulations, and handle BOH and Steritech issues.
• Bar Department Manager – maintain bar equipment, apply BOH standards for bar operations, and ensure quality beverage service.

Sales and Profit Management

• Heart of House Department Manager – manage food cost, labor standards, ordering, inventory preservation, projection planning, P&L understanding, and problem‑area action plans.
• Bar Department Manager – manage beer, liquor, beverage costs, bar labor results, instrument inventory, waste control, and incentive contest development.
• Hospitality Manager – assist General Manager with local marketing, create incentives, and perform additional assigned duties.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of restaurant or hospitality management experience.
• Passion and commitment to a fast‑paced sports‑centered environment (wings, beer, sports).
• Team‑focused; champions teammates with necessary tools and support.
• Ability to create a loyal, high‑performing team with strong motivation.
• Open availability including late nights and weekends.
• Highly motivated, self‑directed, results‑driven with strong organizational, attention‑to‑detail, and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Skilled basic math competencies.
• Proven track record managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to company policies and compliance issues.
• High school education or equivalent with a valid driver’s license; satisfactory background check; able to lift 50 lb regularly.
• Completion of Buffalo Wild Wings Management Certification program (required).
• Preferred experience managing a full‑bar restaurant.

Note: The duties of this position may change over time. World Wide Wings reserves the right to add or delete duties at its discretion.