Food & Beverage Operations Manager

Wild-Adventures; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Wild-Adventures in Valdosta, GA seeks an experienced hospitality leader to oversee food service operations and team development across park venues. You will coach staff, optimize schedules, and ensure top guest experiences while managing labor and food costs.

The role requires 5+ years in leadership within theme park, hospitality, or entertainment, ServSafe certification, and strong communication. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is preferred; must work days, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in the theme park, attraction, concession, tourism, hospitality or entertainment industry preferred.
• ServSafe Food Certified or the ability to obtain certification.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred or combination of education and work equivalent.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop a team.
• Ability to manage budgets, labor costs and food waste.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a cohesive team to deliver outstanding guest service.
• Develop training programs and training staff effectively.
• Monitor and optimize labor schedules and costs.
• Ensure cleanliness, safety, and food safety standards across all units.
• Collaborate with Director/Manager on sales strategies and budget adherence.
• Represent the park professionally and maintain positive guest relations.
• Communicate expectations and provide regular feedback to staff.
• Review weekly schedules and staffing levels for efficiency.
• Implement policy changes and drive continuous improvement in operations.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Detail Oriented

Research Skills

Accuracy

Time Management

Communication Skills

Interpersonal

Working Under Pressure

Coaching and Development

Self-Motivated

Energetic

Friendly

Enthusiastic

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Must already possess skills in Food and Beverage including strong general knowledge of food safety standards and practices, cleanliness standards, food procurement, presentation and execution, production standards and how to operate a Food Service Establishment.
• Must have the ability to represent the park in a professional manner and behave like a professional.
• Willing and able to routinely perform any duty the park may require and willing to work alongside the team.
• Must have ability to help develop Training programs and Train people.
• Ensure quality processes with consistent messages in training and onboarding of both new and returning team members.
• Ability to create and foster a place where people want to work and want to develop; consistent awareness of team member experience and how we can improve.
• Must have ability to meet deadlines and communicate vertically and horizontally within the organization.
• Ensure that all Team Members deliver outstanding guest service at all times.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policy and procedure changes to positively affect the operation of the department.
• Must have an eye for cost control and tightly managing expenses predominantly related to labor efficiency and food waste.
• Work with Director and Manager to continually evolve sales strategies to achieve optimal sales and profits based on business trends.
• Work closely with the Director and Manager to manage/maintain the budgeted labor and food costs by being in tune to schedules, spending time in field and implementing best practices and periodically analyzing reports.
• Work closely with the Director and Manager to manage/monitor weekly cost of sale by paying close attention to purchasing, inventory management, production plans and waste controls.
• Ability to develop, coach and build a team that is genuinely concerned about business success and moving the business forward.
• Reviewing and approving weekly schedules to ensure efficient and proper staffing levels at all times.
• Ensure all units meet or exceed accepted levels of cleanliness and sanitation as measured by third party auditors and state and local authorities. Marks of A are expected on all food inspections.
• Communicate expectations and follow up on expectations to leaders within the department. Conduct regular evaluations to staff providing feedback and allowing them to use that feedback to improve their performance.
• Ensure that weekly inventories are completed and turned in as required.
• Observation of all company and department policies as outlined in Team Member Manuals and update in memos.
• Evaluate leads and supervisors for progress, reviews, and/or promotions. Promptly deal with marginally performing team members.
• Must be a team player and able to work harmoniously with others.
• Effective and frequent communication with Director on all business matters at all times.
• “Create Memories Worth Repeating” for our Guests by exceeding expectations.
• Perform other duties as needed.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Analytical Skills - The Ability to be given direction, understand the direction and achieve positive results by analyzing the situation, the materials given, and the tasks to be done.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the small things. Like wiping down the stainless steel trash cans in the restrooms or removing spots from the mirrors.
• Research Skills - Ability to design and conduct a systematic, objective, and critical investigation.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
• Communication Skills - Ability to communicate effectively with others using spoken or written word.
• Interpersonal - Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.
• Coaching and Development - Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas.
• Self-Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one’s ability using his or her own drive or initiative.
• Energetic - Ability to work at a sustained pace and produce quality work.
• Friendly - Ability to exhibit a cheerful demeanor toward others.
• Enthusiastic - Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task.

Education and Experience

Education: Bachelor’sDegreepreferred: or combination of educationand work equivalent

Experience:

• 5+years of progressive leadership experience in the theme park, attraction, concession, tourism, hospitality or entertainment industry preferred.
• ServSafe Food Certified or the ability to obtain certification.

Computer Skills: Working knowledge of common office software such as word processing, presentation design, and spreadsheet software required.

Other Requirements

• Must be able to work days, evenings, weekdays, weekends and holidays as needed
• Must handle confidential information strictly and responsibly
• Must be proactive in continuously seekingand developing ways to be more effective
• Must have and maintain a valid Driver’s License, proof of insurance, and acceptable driving record

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.