Overview :
The Corporate VP, Food & Beverage leads the overall strategic and operational direction of organisations’ Food and Beverage programs across its 12-park portfolio. This position oversees a wide range of responsibilities focused on ensuring that food and beverage operations align with the park’s overall objectives for revenue generation, operational efficiency, and guest experience. Reporting to the SVP, Retail, Ancillary, & Analytics, this role plays a critical part in the company’s goals of maintaining and strengthening its position within the theme park industry.
What you get to do :
1. Strategic Planning and Leadership
- Develop and implement the food and beverage (F&B) strategy to support the park's overall objectives and revenue goals.
- Lead the F&B department in planning, budgeting, and forecasting for short-term and long-term growth.
- Oversee menu development, pricing strategies, and product selection to ensure offerings align with guest preferences and trends.
- Identify new revenue streams and business opportunities within F&B to drive growth.
2. Operations Management
Work closely with in-park F&B teams to influence exceptional day-to-day F&B operations across all park locations, including restaurants, quick-service outlets, food kiosks, and catering services.Ensure consistency in food quality, service standards, and guest experiences across all venues.Monitor and ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.Implement and optimize standard operating procedures to enhance efficiency and minimize costs.3. Financial Oversight
Develop and manage the annual F&B budget (approximately $400-500 million), including sales forecasts, labor costs, inventory, and capital expenditures.Drive profitability by controlling costs, reducing waste, and optimizing labor productivity.Analyze financial reports and metrics to identify areas for improvement, set goals, and monitor progress.Negotiate contracts with vendors, suppliers, and third-party partners to secure favorable terms.4. Guest Experience and Satisfaction
Ensure the F&B offerings cater to various guest preferences, including dietary needs, cultural tastes, and age groups.Monitor guest feedback and work with in-park teams to respond to trends to continuously improve food quality, service, and experience.Lead initiatives to enhance the dining experience, such as themed dining events, seasonal menus, and exclusive experiences.Foster a guest-centric culture within the F&B team to consistently deliver exceptional service.5. Menu Development and Innovation
Collaborate with chefs and culinary teams to create innovative menus that reflect current trends while appealing to park guests.Develop themed or seasonal menus that align with park events, attractions, and promotions.Ensure menus include diverse offerings that cater to various dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-sensitive options.Stay updated on industry trends and incorporate new food technologies or sustainable practices.6. Team Leadership and Development
Recruit, train, and retain top culinary and management talent, ensuring staff align with the park's service standards.Provide leadership and coaching to develop employees and build a strong, motivated team.Implement performance management processes to monitor and improve team member performance.Encourage a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation within and between the Corporate and In-Park F&B teams.7. Compliance and Risk Management
In partnership with in-park F&B teams, ensure all F&B operations comply with local, state, and federal health, safety, and food handling regulations.Implement risk management strategies to minimize liability related to food safety, labor disputes, and operational disruptions.Conduct regular audits and inspections to maintain compliance and high standards.Develop and execute emergency response plans for potential issues like foodborne illness outbreaks or equipment failures.8. Supplier and Vendor Management
Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, distributors, and service providers.Oversee purchasing strategies to ensure quality products at competitive prices.Monitor supplier performance to ensure timely deliveries and adherence to quality standards.Identify opportunities for local or sustainable sourcing to align with corporate social responsibility goals.9. Marketing and Branding Integration
Collaborate with the marketing team to promote F&B offerings through advertising, social media, and in-park promotions.Integrate F&B experiences into the overall brand story of the park and its attractions.Work with cross-functional teams to incorporate F&B elements into themed experiences, special events, and park entertainment.Create exclusive dining experiences or signature dishes that can become attractions themselves.10. Sustainability and Environmental Practices
Develop and implement sustainability initiatives within F&B operations, such as reducing single-use plastics, managing food waste, and sourcing sustainable ingredients.Track and report on sustainability metrics related to F&B operations.Educate staff and guests about sustainable practices in dining.11. Event and Catering Management
Oversee food and beverage services for private events, corporate functions, and park-hosted events.Ensure event menus and services are customized to meet client expectations while aligning with park standards.Manage logistics, staffing, and operations for large-scale events to ensure smooth execution.12. Technology and Innovation
Leverage technology to improve guest experiences, such as mobile ordering, contactless payments, or self-service kiosks.Implement data analytics to optimize inventory management, pricing, and sales forecasting.Stay informed on emerging technologies that can enhance operational efficiency or guest satisfaction.13. Capital planning & execution
Identify requirements, obtain approval and oversee execution of capital expenditure for F&B14. Stakeholder Communication and Reporting
Report to senior executives on F&B performance, initiatives, and strategic goals.Communicate with stakeholders, including shareholders, about key achievements and plans within the F&B division.Provide updates on how the F&B strategy supports the overall vision of the park.What it takes to succeed :
Bachelor’s degree ideally from a top hospitality management program, or equivalent experience; MBA preferred7-10 years of food and beverage multi-unit leadership experience with increasing levels of responsibility in the hospitality industry (ideally in an aspirational or lifestyle brand)Strong influencing skills and ability to build relationship building skills with internal and external cross functional stakeholders at all levels.Experience in leading global food and beverage operations designing and executing programs to drive revenue growth and cost efficiency / productivity at scaleExcellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate at multiple levels and strong public speaking skills with proven success influencing large and diverse teamsEffective organizational skills, demonstrated by ability to set priorities, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and be attentive to detailsProven analytical and problem-solving abilitiesExperience building and managing a large, complex budgetWorks well in a fast paced, high-pressure environmentKnowledge of industry best practices and trendsTravel required – 20-40%Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs
