Leading San Diego based restaurant group is seeking an experienced and creative Beverage Director to join the team as they continue to grow! This is a high-level, multifaceted role that will be responsible for overseeing and elevating the beverage program for new and existing restaurant locations, with a focus on maximizing profitability, efficiency, and consistency. The ideal candidate has a proven background of successfully managing high-volume, multiunit beverage programs, and is equal parts a forward-thinking creative and operational savant. An inherent knack for developing modern, creative beverage offerings with the ability to manage menu changes from both a brand consistency and margin/pricing perspective is essential. This person should also have experience curating and implementing industry-leading operating procedures, with excellent training and leadership skills in order to regularly work onsite with staff at each location to implement a streamlined beverage program that is consistent with company culture and brand standards. A strong mixology background and knowledge of premium spirits, craft cocktail culture, and industry trends is critical.
This is an onsite role, and candidates must be based in the San Diego or Orange County area or willing to relocate. Regular local travel between the various restaurant locations is required. This role will also spearhead the development and implementation of beverage programs for future restaurant openings, and some additional travel out of market and/or out of state will be required on a less frequent basis. A rare and exciting opportunity to take ownership of and lead an award winning beverage program for a highly esteemed group!
Beverage Director Responsibilities:
- Continuously develop, innovate, and define a modern, creative, and inspired beverage program in line with the overall vision of the brand
- Manage programming for both cocktail, wine, and non-alcoholic beverage offerings
- Develop, test, and roll out quarterly cocktail menu changes
- Oversee existing training programs while making necessary improvements to streamline operations
- Ensuring beverage program and menu changes are implemented consistently across all restaurant locations
- Support with preopening/opening process and beverage program development for future restaurant locations
- Develops internal beverage marketing plans
- Oversee beverage inventory processes across all locations, regularly reviewing inventories and adjusting ordering as needed to maintain financial goals
- Monitoring financials and periodic forecasting
- Encourage and build mutual trust, respect and cooperation among team members
- Manage and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines
- Plan and coordinate the delivery of major events
- Remaining knowledgeable and up t date on craft cocktail and spirits industry trends
- Maintain consistency of recipes, batching standards, and execution across all locations
- Ongoing development and training of team members at each location to ensure growth, knowledge, and professionalism
- Comprehensive cost management including margins and pricing
- Develop programs/methods to increase efficiency of beverage operations
- Resolving customer complaints and attending to all customer correspondence
- Maintain positive and cooperative relationships with all vendors and business partners
- Recruiting, hiring, and training of new beverage team members
- Ongoing training and development of beverage staff and leadership across all locations
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
- Commitment to creating a welcoming, memorable, and unique guest experience that is line with company standards
Candidate Qualifications:
- Minimum 4-5+ years of progressive beverage leadership and operational experience in a high-volume, multiunit restaurant environment (i.e. Beverage Director, Bar Director, Food & Beverage Director, Wine & Spirits Director, or comparable beverage leadership role)
- Proven track record of leading a professional, efficient, high quality, service-oriented operation
- Advanced mixology, spirits, and craft cocktail knowledge is required
- Experience with agave spirits is a big plus
- Extensive knowledge of current cocktail and spirits trends
- Strong business acumen and proven understanding of beverage financial reporting and cost management
- Strong knowledge of Food & Beverage pairings
- Impeccable leadership and training skills with a passion for ongoing mentorship and education
- Advanced understanding of P&L and beverage COGS
- Excellent training and leadership skills with an eye for process improvement
- Understanding of legal jurisdictions around beverage/alcohol laws
- Ability to work collaboratively with ownership and individuals across all levels of the organization
- A sophisticated communicator with high standards of performance and excellent problem solving and listening skills
- Passionate about the Hospitality and Beverage Industry and Guest Relations
- Ability to work effectively under time constraints and deadlines
- Ability to create strong relationships with guests, members, and staff across multiple locations
- Proven high-level knowledge of beverage operations and core standards, policies, and standard operating procedures
- Knowledge of Food & Beverage service, spirits & cocktails, creating and developing, cost control, labor control, maintenance, merchandising & accounting
- Flexible schedule including weekends, evenings and holidays as needed
- Ability to relocate and/or be based in San Diego or Orange County, and be able to regularly travel locally between restaurant concepts as needed
- Ability to travel out of state and/our out of market as needed to support with new restaurant openings
Compensation Package Includes:
- Base Salary in the $120-150k range DOE
- Bonus Potential
- Comprehensive Medical Benefits Package
- PTO Plan