Beverage Manager — Ascot Racecourse | Raceday Tickets

Sodexo; Ascot; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Raceday tickets

Job summary

Sodexo Live! at Ascot Racecourse is seeking an experienced Beverage Manager to lead the beverage operation across racedays, royal events and conferences.

You will own planning, forecasting, purchasing and stock control while managing budgets and a diverse team to deliver outstanding guest experiences. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, driving continuous improvements in service quality, cost efficiency and compliance across the site, including licensing and safety

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing beverage operations in large-scale hospitality, stadia, events or contract catering.
• Proven experience leading operational teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing labour, budgets and stock.
• Excellent knowledge of beverage stock management and inventory systems.
• Strong financial and analytical skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Experience leading teams through operational change and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly visible leadership style with a hands-on approach to operational delivery.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of beverage planning and operational readiness across racedays, Royal Ascot, conferences and external events.
• Lead purchasing, forecasting and inventory control, ensuring the right products are available without creating unnecessary stockholding or waste.
• Manage beverage cost of sales, labour expenditure and departmental budgets, investigating variances and taking timely corrective action.
• Oversee stock reconciliation, invoice processing and financial reporting, maintaining accurate and secure controls across the site.
• Lead, coach and develop the Cellar Managers and Stock Controller, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Work in partnership with Hospitality, Retail, Culinary, Finance, Commercial and Event Operations teams to deliver a coordinated event operation.
• Manage supplier performance, delivery schedules and product quality while building productive commercial relationships.
• Maintain high standards of licensing, food safety, equipment compliance and safe working practices throughout the department.
• Review performance following each event and translate operational feedback and financial data into practical improvement plans.
• Standardise processes and introduce new ideas that improve service consistency, efficiency and overall performance.

Skills

Beverage operations management

Leadership

Budgeting & cost control

Stock management

Excel

Stakeholder management

Planning & organisation

Operational change leadership

Communication

Hands-on leadership

Education

WSET (Desirable)

Tools

EPOS systems

Stock management systems

Forklift license

Job description

Sodexo Live! at Ascot Racecourse is seeking an experienced Beverage Manager to lead the beverage operation across racedays, royal events and conferences.

You will own planning, forecasting, purchasing and stock control while managing budgets and a diverse team to deliver outstanding guest experiences. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, driving continuous improvements in service quality, cost efficiency and compliance across the site, including licensing and safety