Beverage Director

Maydan LA & Compass Rose LA - Beverage Director Job Description:

About:

In spring 2025, Maydan Market will open in LA’s West Adams neighborhood, the first West Coast project by Rose Previte, co-owner of DC’s Maydan, Compass Rose, Medina, and Kirby Club restaurants, as well as LA’s upcoming Maydan Market. Maydan in DC first opened in 2017 drawing critical acclaim as Best New Restaurant in Bon Appetit, FOOD & WINE, and GQ, nominated by the James Beard Foundation for both Best New Restaurant and Outstanding Wine Program, and earning a Michelin star. Compass Rose opened in 2014 winning the RAMMY for best casual restaurant in the nation’s capital and one of the Washington Post’s “Favorite Places to Eat.” 

This new 10,000-square-foot market will be a home for small businesses to flourish, anchored by a live fire hearth, like its DC namesake restaurant. Inspired by markets from around the world, Maydan Market will bring diverse gems together under one roof including a Maydan restaurant and bar; Compass Rose, an indoor/outdoor patio bar with bites, cocktails, and natural wine; and will be home to four Los Angeles food businesses and the retail space, Sook.  Each with their own distinctive cuisine and critical acclaim. 

Maydan Market, part of the No White Plates collective, is an experience-driven venue where rich traditions and exceptional hospitality converge. Our mission is to create an inviting workplace culture grounded in thoughtful communication, respect, and a commitment to excellence. We believe that a remarkable dining, beverage, and event experience begins with hiring and training motivated individuals who embody empathy and a strong work ethic. Our menu is an homage to the people who taught us about their heritage from across Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, and the Republic of Georgia, showcasing superior food and beverage products sourced from dedicated vendors. At Maydan, we strive to inspire and empower our team, fostering a supportive and safe environment with benefits like paid time off, healthcare, and extensive educational opportunities

Sook brings you special things from special places. Nestled in Maydan Market in Los Angeles, Sook is a marketplace filled with thoughtfully curated teas, spices, and snacks from our team and founders from the MENA region.

Position:  Beverage Director

Salary range: $85k - $95k DOE

Reports To: Director of Restaurants, VP of P&C, Market Director, Ownership

Supervises:  Lead bartenders (in collaboration with Executive Management), hourly bar team members

Purpose: The Beverage Director is responsible for providing direction, leadership, and continuous training for the Maydan, Compass Rose, and Sook beverage programs and their teams.  They are responsible for leading the beverage leadership team in achieving the operational and financial goals of each beverage program, monitoring the performance, training of the staff, maintaining the bar facilities in accordance with NWP service standards, and ensuring high customer satisfaction and an exceptional guest experience. The Beverage Director is a member of the leadership team and is directly responsible for beverage menu ideation, implementing beverage operations standards and for supervising all beverage functions. The Beverage Director leads and ensures that all beverage teams represent the culture and values of No White Plates, creating a positive, respectful and professional work environment for all employees.

Who You Are:

• A minimum of Four (4) years of experience in the direction and management of employees in a similar environment which includes at least two (2) years of experience in leading wine/beverage programs, menu development, and service.
• Ability to manage day to day beverage operations at multiple locations.
• Budgeting skills to control costs.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at once over varied brands within NWP portfolio.
• Deep knowledge of the beverage industry and its trends.
• Strong wine knowledge with ability to curate a program alongside DR
• Level 1 somm required, Level 2 preferred.
• Strong leadership and time management skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage workloads with minimal direction.
• High attention to detail and follow through.
• Dependable, reliable, and highly motivated.
• Be able to communicate through Microsoft Office or G-Suite, knowledge of POS systems and reporting.
• Experience in developing bar systems and training programs
• Flexibility to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

What You Do:

• Coach and lead the management team in regard to wine and wine sales.
• Coach and lead the management team with regard to the cocktail programs and trainings. 
• Participate and contribute to the organization as a key member of the leadership team, in both strategic and creative capacities, for both Maydan LA and Compass Rose LA.
• Oversee Sook beverage program with executive management. 
• Develop unique and cuisine-appropriate beverage menu items for all brands in collaboration with executive management on final approval. 
• Ensure all inventory processes and procedures are completed accurately.

• Create beverage menu and seasonal changes, multiple times per year with a structured plan from the executive management, across both brands. 
• Oversee bar leadership in the development and monitoring of beverage operations, fiscal budgets, and guest service standards to produce both short-term and long-term profitability. 
• Establish inventory, par levels for supplies, liquor, beer, wine and equipment, completing requisitions to replenish shortages or additional items needed for the anticipated business.
• Oversee purchasing to stay within budget.
• Oversee implementation of policies, operating procedures, training programs, directives, menus, labor templates, rules and regulations, for the beverage staff and personnel in regards to the beverage programs.
• Maintain complete knowledge of all liquor brands, beers and non-alcoholic selections available in Maydan and Compass Rose, the particular characteristics and description of every wine by the glass, wines on the wine list, designated glassware and garnishes for drinks, all bar menu items, preparation method/time, ingredients, portion sizes, garnishes, presentation and correct pricing.  
• Continuous, organized, and planned staff training on all items and operations in beverage programs in collaboration DR and AGMs.
• Maintain the highest standards of health, sanitation and cleanliness within all areas of Beverage.
• Maintain complete knowledge and strictly abide by CA state liquor regulations.  
• Train, supervise, counsel and coach lead bartenders, management and beverage staff for the efficient operation of the bar programs. Drive employee engagement through coaching, training, and development through side by side weekly shifts in all locations.
• Ensure beverage quality across all brands.
• Prepare necessary data for applicable parts of the budget 
• Represent the NWP brands at appropriate industry events as requested.
• Perform other job-related duties as requested.
• Inventory platform software management 
• Lead bar team to monitor bar function and ensure No White Plate’s standard of service and product.
• Participate during service at Maydan or Compass Rose to help in beverage aspects of service including leading floor and hourly staff.  Some floor shifts required

People 

• Along with the VP of P&C and Director of Restaurants, manage the hiring, supervision and development of staff. When necessary and under the guidance of executive management, manage employee counseling and possible discipline.
• Ensure complete and proper documentation for all personnel actions (hiring, performance review, disciplines, etc.). 
• Develop team members by providing ongoing feedback, establishing performance expectations, and conducting performance reviews/conversations.
• Continuously evaluate bar team members and actively assist the identification, development, and promotion of key talent.  
• Ensure all beverage training materials, schedules and guidelines are being followed. 
• Build a culture of transparency and trust in the restaurant through ongoing, direct communication and open two-way feedback with leadership team.
• Monitor morale of both bar teams. Take action to correct breakdowns in employee satisfaction and engagement at the restaurant level.
• Training bartenders on customer service and proper technique

Physical Requirements

• Able to work 10-hour plus shifts
• Able to stand, sit or walk for extended periods of time
• Able to grasp, lift and/or carry up to 50 lbs. as needed
• Finger/hand dexterity to operate kitchen machinery and knives
• Able to withstand changes in temperature, steam and heat
• Able to work in a confined area
• Must possess hearing, visual and sensory abilities to observe and detect emergency situations; also, to distinguish product, taste, texture, temperature, presentation and preparation

Disclaimer: 

The job description provided above does not encompass all duties and standards associated with the position. Incumbents will adhere to additional instructions and fulfill any related tasks as assigned by their supervisor, in accordance with company policies and management directives.

Maydan Market provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Salary : $85,000 - $95,000