Food & Beverage Director

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary based on experience

Paid Time Off

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Employee discounts

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is seeking a Food & Beverage Director to oversee daily operations across all dining locations, including the Dinner Train, Tea Room, Depot, Deli, Gift Shop, and events.

You will lead staffing, scheduling, inventory, and guest service, ensuring food safety and high standards while coordinating with museum departments for train excursions and special events.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of supervisory or management experience in food service, hospitality, catering, or retail operations.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple locations and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with inventory control, purchasing, scheduling, and staff development preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations (ServSafe certification required).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily operations of all Food & Beverage locations and events.
• Supervise, coach, and support Food & Beverage team members for guest service and efficiency.
• Handle hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance evaluation.
• Prepare staff schedules while monitoring labor costs.
• Maintain inventory levels and order food, beverages, and supplies.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Multi-location management

Flexible schedule

Education

ServSafe certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

POS systems

Job description

Job Title: Food & Beverage Director

Reports To: Senior Director Marketing, Communications & Guest Experiences

Department: Food & Beverage

Location: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Position Type: Salary (Exempt), Full-Time

Schedule/Availability: Majority of Work Encompasses Weekends and Holidays

On Call/Travel: Yes

Position Summary

The Director of Food & Beverage oversees the daily operations of all Food & Beverage services throughout the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. This includes the Dinner Train, Tea Room, Depot, Deli, Gift Shop, Commissary, and all special events. This position helps ensure exceptional guest service, maintains food safety and sanitation standards, supervises staff, handles scheduling and inventory, and serves as the primary Director in the day-to-day management of the department.

Essential Responsibilities

• Oversees the daily operations of the Dinner Train, Tea Room, Depot, Deli, Gift Shop, Commissary, and all Food & Beverage special events.
• Supervise, coach, and support Food & Beverage team members to ensure excellent guest service and operational efficiency.
• Conduct hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and evaluating staff.
• Prepares employee schedules while monitoring labor costs and staffing needs.
• Maintains inventory levels and ordering of food, beverages, retail merchandise, paper products, and operational supplies.
• Ensures compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Monitors food quality, presentation, cleanliness, and service standards across all locations.
• Directs menu implementation, event preparation, catering, and seasonal operations.
• Oversees cash handling, point-of-sale operations, and daily sales reconciliation.
• Coordinates with museum departments to ensure smooth execution of train excursions and special events.
• Oversees maintaining equipment, facilities, and operational readiness throughout all Food & Beverage locations.
• Responds professionally to guest concerns and resolves issues promptly.
• Works evenings and weekends for events or campaigns as needed.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance, including working overtime as needed.
• Works cooperatively and collaboratively with team members, guests, and vendors.
• Performs any other tasks assigned by members of the leadership team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory or management experience in food service, hospitality, catering, or retail operations.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple locations and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with inventory control, purchasing, scheduling, and staff development preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations (ServSafe certification required).
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and point-of-sale systems is preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Paid Time Off
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Employee discounts
• Professional development opportunities

Work Environment

Work is performed in both a quiet to moderately loud environment that is on property as well as in our food locations. Required to move about inside the work space and outside on property, constantly operate food preparation equipment and office productivity machinery such as computer, copier. Must be able to position self to move work product and equipment and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds; must be able to work in restaurant environment that can be loud, hot, and crowded; must be able to work outside and be on your feet daily. Ability to climb stairs and safely board railroad equipment as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and subsequent opportunities for training and/or promotions for all job titles without regard to race, national origin, gender, gender identity, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.