Manager, Beverage & Concessions Operations (contract)

To-Live-1; Toronto; On-site; CAD 67,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

TO Live, based in Toronto, seeks a Manager of Beverage & Concessions Operations for a full-time contract (minimum 1 year). You will oversee beverage and concession services across multiple venues, drive revenue growth, and maintain profitability while delivering outstanding patron experiences.

Lead a high-performing team, develop SOPs, manage inventory and costs, and collaborate with event teams to optimize offerings. Smart Serve and Food Handler Certification required.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of progressive leadership experience in beverage, concessions, hospitality, or venue operations.
• Proven track record in managing high-volume operations and driving revenue growth.
• Strong financial and operational acumen: budgeting, forecasting, inventory & cost control.
• Experience recruiting, developing, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of beverage programs and concession operations.
• Experience creating operational standards, policies, and SOPs.
• Smart Serve and Food Handler Certification required.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with POS systems and inventory management software.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day beverage and concession operations across multiple venues and drive revenue targets.
• Develop and maintain SOPs to ensure quality, service and efficiency.
• Set and monitor sales goals, KPIs, and benchmarks across venues.
• Analyze event sales, patron behavior and operations for growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with Programming, Sponsorship and Event teams to maximize revenue.
• Maintain floor presence during performances, support staff and ensure patron satisfaction.
• Recruit, train and develop a high-performing team focused on sales growth and service excellence.
• Forecast revenue and develop targets for beverage and concession operations.
• Drive revenue through pricing, product mix, promotions and premium offerings.
• Monitor costs, margins, inventory variance and profitability; manage purchasing and supplier relationships.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Patron and Event Services.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Forecasting

Inventory management

Cost control

Revenue analysis

Communication

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Tools

POS systems

Inventory management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Manager, Beverage & Concessions Operations (contract)

Contract Full Time Toronto, ON, CA

6 days ago Requisition ID: 1048

Salary Range: $67,000.00 To $72,000.00 Annually

Manager, Beverage & Concessions Operations (Contract)

TO Live

Toronto, Canada

TO Live is seeking an experienced Manager, Beverage & Concessions Operations to join our Patron & Events Services department on a full-time contract (minimum 1-year) basis.

Working closely with the Senior Manager of Food & Beverage, the Manager, Beverage & Concessions Operations provides strategic, financial, and operational leadership for all beverage and concession services across TO Live's venues. The role is responsible for driving revenue growth, maximizing profitability, delivering exceptional patron experiences, and ensuring operational excellence and regulatory compliance. The Manager leads day-to-day operations while developing innovative sales strategies, beverage programs, and concession offerings that support TO Live's business objectives.

ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations & Service

• Lead day-to-day beverage and concession operations across multiple venues, ensuring seamless event execution and achievement of revenue targets.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency in quality, service, efficiency, and Patron satisfaction.
• Establish and monitor sales goals, key performance indicators, and operational benchmarks across TO Lives venues
• Analyze event sales performance, patron purchasing behavior, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for growth and service improvements.
• Collaborate with Programming, Sponsorship, and Event teams to maximize revenue opportunities and enhance patron experiences.
• Maintain a visible presence on the floor during shows and events, overseeing service flow, supporting staff, resolving issues, and ensuring exceptional patron experiences.

Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop a high-performing beverage and concessions team focused on sales growth, operational excellence, and patron satisfaction.
• Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, innovation, and revenue generation.
• Deliver onboarding, product knowledge, upselling, and sales training programs.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities.
• Develop recognition and incentive programs that reward both service excellence and sales achievement.
• Develop quarterly forecasts, revenue projections, and performance targets for beverage and concession operations.
• Drive revenue growth through strategic pricing, product mix optimization, promotional initiatives, and premium offerings.
• Monitor and analyze revenue, labour costs, beverage costs, margins, inventory variance, and overall profitability.
• Manage purchasing, inventory controls, vendor relationships, and product sourcing while conducting regular inventory reviews, cost‑control audits, and loss‑prevention measures to protect profitability.

Patron Experience & Program Development

• Lead the development and execution of beverage and concession programs that enhance the patron experience and generate revenue growth.
• Maintain expert knowledge of spirits, wine, beer, cocktails, beverage trends, and concession offerings.
• Develop seasonal features, premium products, specialty cocktails, local partnerships, and innovative food and beverage programs.
• Monitor Patron feedback, market trends, and competitive activity to continuously improve offerings and service delivery.
• Collaborate with vendors and partners to develop unique experiences that enhance venue reputation and drive patron spending.

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Patron and Event Services or designate.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in beverage, concessions, hospitality, food and beverage, or venue operations.
• Demonstrated success in managing high-volume operations and driving revenue growth and profitability.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, inventory management, cost control, and revenue analysis.
• Proven leadership ability with experience recruiting, developing, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of beverage programs, concessions operations, Patron service, and industry best practices.
• Experience developing and implementing operational standards, policies, and procedures.
• Smart Serve and Food Handler Certification required.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with POS systems, inventory management software, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as required.

Working Conditions

• Flexibility in hours and schedules and include work on nights, statutory holidays and weekends as required.
• Lack of natural light in workplace.
• Travel between TO Live venues as required.

The Organization:

TO Live is one of Canada’s largest multi-arts organizations, operating three iconic venues: Meridian Hall, the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and Meridian Arts Centre. In addition, TO Live presents a full range of performing arts, theatrical and concert events at these venues in both downtown and uptown Toronto. With these two hubs of creativity and content creation, TO Live has a unique place and perspective to activate creative spaces by inspiring local and international artists, connect audiences and to be the nexus for new ideas, elevate artistic potential, and be the catalyst for creative expression that is reflective of Toronto’s diversity.

No phone calls or emails please. TO Live thanks all applicants in advance. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Together with the Toronto Public Service’s (TPS) initiatives, which TO Lives follows and adheres to, TO Live encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to fostering innovative ideas and solutions.

We ask that you complete the questions provided as part of the online application to assist us in ensuring our recruitment process and programs are equitable and accessible. Your responses are voluntary and the information that you provide is strictly confidential.

We are committed to inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and selection processes and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Human Resources department will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.

Our recruitment process does not involve the use of artificial intelligence tools. All final hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.