How to Stay Organized for Large Liquor Orders

How to Stay Organized for Large Liquor Orders
Bar Inventory - December 15, 2016 Written By: Kevin Tam

Browse Different Topics

Growing nightclubs and bars with complex product needs require managers with above-average skills in the areas of organization, communication and judgement. When a busy venue has multiple bookings, and each booking has special needs that must be met, a liquor manager who is tuned into the requirements of the business is absolutely vital. Keeping track of a busy venue’s liquor inventory requirements can be extremely challenging.

Here are some tips on staying on top of things.

Keep All Notes in One Place

Effective managers understand the need to keep their notes in one place so they don’t need to go looking for the information they need to place a large liquor order. This is important because information vital for liquor orders often comes in brief conversations in highly distracting environments (like during an after-work happy hour rush). Smartphone calendars tend to work best because the phone is always on the manager, and the calendar feature enables managers to track time-sensitive information relative to deadlines.

When a manager gets into the habit of not committing to anything verbally until they can schedule it into their calendar, it prevents forgetfulness and ensures that the liquor order will go smoothly.

Stay Focused

A great liquor manager has their attention fully focused on the order when they are placing it. It is not ideal for liquor managers to be placing large orders while constantly being interrupted. Small errors in judgement, like ordering the wrong product or the wrong quantity of a product, can result in large, costly mistakes that later must be corrected. There are also mistakes that a liquor manager will find when reviewing the subtotal of their order before submitting it. To find these errors, a liquor manager must be concentrating on what they are doing.

Managers who struggle with focus often struggle with large liquor orders.

Look Beyond the Pars

Great liquor managers know there is a grey area between a bar’s theoretical par and what is realistically required for effective operations. This is important to note, as most bar managers will set their pars based on weekly usage, which is not always the best way to determine what to order. For instance, bars that have multiple bar stations within the venue require higher inventory par levels simply to keep each station fully stocked. These requirements may far exceed what the weekly usage level suggests is the theoretical par for the business.

There are also intangible situations, like factoring in the time kegs require to settle down from being delivered and cool down to the proper temperature (approximately 48 hours). Lastly, there are times when a bar must order more than normal, due to seasonality or special events happening in the local market. Effective liquor managers understand these factors, and take them into consideration when placing large orders.

New Call-to-action

*Article originally posted on nightclub.com by Sculpture Hospitality Expert, Kevin Tam.

2024-trends-thumb
Sculpture-BuyersGuide-Cover

A Complete Buyer's Guide to Food & Beverage Inventory Management Systems

With around 25 to 35 percent of a restaurant’s operating budget dedicated to purchasing food (that’s not even taking into account beverage inventory costs for the bar), proper inventory management can significantly improve expected revenue.

To maximize profits you need to improve visibility and control over your restaurant or bar’s inventory. 

Download Free eBook

Related posts

A Guide to Bar Inventory Management: Key Tips to Get You Started
Bar Inventory - February 13, 2024

A Guide to Bar Inventory Management: Key Tips to Get You Started

Krista Dinsmore
Written by Krista Dinsmore
Your 10-Step Guide to Mastering Bar Inventory Management
Bar Inventory - January 09, 2024

Your 10-Step Guide to Mastering Bar Inventory Management

Krista Dinsmore
Written by Krista Dinsmore
How to Choose the Best Bar Inventory Management Software
Bar Inventory - December 05, 2023

How to Choose the Best Bar Inventory Management Software

Krista Dinsmore
Written by Krista Dinsmore