Food & Beverage Manager

San Ysidro Ranch; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

San Ysidro Ranch is seeking a Food & Beverage Manager to lead our front-of-house operations across The Stonehouse, In-Room Dining, Pool, and more, ensuring Forbes-level service with hands-on leadership.

The ideal candidate brings 3–5 years of luxury F&B leadership, a strong wine background, and a meticulous attention to detail. You will train, mentor, and coach staff, maintain inventory controls, and collaborate with culinary teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences on property.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of leadership experience in high-end hotel, resort, or luxury restaurant F&B operations.
• Strong understanding of Forbes Travel Guide service standards; Forbes 5-star experience highly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage a fast-paced dining room and lead a team with calm efficiency and authority.
• Strong wine knowledge and comfort guiding guests through curated wine lists; formal wine certifications are a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to spot, correct, and coach on the smallest service elements.
• Outstanding organizational, multitasking, and communication skills.
• Hands-on leadership style: leads from the floor, not from the office.
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with the Santa Barbara food and wine landscape is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily floor operations across all F&B outlets with a focus on speed, precision, and exceptional guest service.
• Develop, train, and mentor a team of hospitality professionals to consistently execute Forbes service standards.
• Conduct daily pre-shifts and ongoing training sessions, ensuring the team is prepared, polished, and detail-oriented.
• Maintain a visible, dynamic presence during service to coach in real time, address guest needs, and drive operational flow.
• Oversee inventory management, ordering, and cost controls while maintaining the highest quality standards.
• Collaborate with the culinary and beverage teams on menu rollouts, menu updates, and seasonal programming.
• Support and help execute events, special activations, and holiday programming.
• Actively manage and respond to guest feedback, special requests, and opportunities for personalized service.
• Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Partner with other departments (front desk, housekeeping, engineering) to ensure seamless guest experiences across the property.

Skills

Leadership experience

Forbes standards

Fast-paced dining

Wine knowledge

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Hands-on leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management

Job description

San Ysidro Ranch is a historic luxury resort nestled in the scenic foothills of Santa Barbara, California. Since 1893, we have welcomed discerning travelers seeking an unforgettable retreat in a breathtaking natural setting. With 550 acres of pristine landscape, the Ranch offers guests a serene escape paired with world-class service, exceptional cuisine, and a legacy of excellence.

Role Description

The Food & Beverage Manager at San Ysidro Ranch is a highly visible, hands-on leader responsible for overseeing all front-of-house food and beverage operations, including The Stonehouse, In-Room Dining, the Pool, the Speakeasy, and activations. This role demands a presence on the floor, a commitment to staff development, and an unrelenting focus on delivering seamless, Forbes-level service at every guest touchpoint. The ideal candidate thrives under pressure, leads by example, moves swiftly and decisively through tasks, and possesses an obsessive attention to detail. Wine knowledge, a passion for training, and a drive for operational excellence are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily floor operations across all F&B outlets with a focus on speed, precision, and exceptional guest service.
• Develop, train, and mentor a team of hospitality professionals to consistently execute Forbes service standards.
• Conduct daily pre-shifts and ongoing training sessions, ensuring the team is prepared, polished, and detail-oriented.
• Maintain a visible, dynamic presence during service to coach in real time, address guest needs, and drive operational flow.
• Oversee inventory management, ordering, and cost controls while maintaining the highest quality standards.
• Collaborate with the culinary and beverage teams on menu rollouts, menu updates, and seasonal programming.
• Support and help execute events, special activations, and holiday programming.
• Actively manage and respond to guest feedback, special requests, and opportunities for personalized service.
• Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Partner with other departments (front desk, housekeeping, engineering) to ensure seamless guest experiences across the property.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of leadership experience in high-end hotel, resort, or luxury restaurant food & beverage operations.
• Strong understanding of Forbes Travel Guide service standards; Forbes 5-star experience highly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage a fast-paced dining room and lead a team with calm efficiency and authority.
• Strong wine knowledge and comfort guiding guests through curated wine lists; formal wine certifications are a plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to spot, correct, and coach on the smallest service elements.
• Outstanding organizational, multitasking, and communication skills.
• Hands-on leadership style: leads from the floor, not from the office.
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with the Santa Barbara food and wine landscape is a plus.

Join Our Team

Join San Ysidro Ranch and become part of a legacy of excellence. We are seeking a passionate, energetic leader who demands the best from themselves and their team—and who thrives in delivering an unforgettable guest experience at every turn.