Beverage Manager – José Andrés at The Ritz-Carlton Nomad

The Beverage Manager is responsible for providing leadership for the beverage programs at all restaurants and bars in Ritz-Carlton Nomad, following Jose’s vision. They efficiently support all beverage operations to ensure achievement of overall beverage revenue, guest, shareholder and ownership satisfaction. Be a Passionate educator that brings beverage knowledge to all levels of the organization.

Scope of Responsibility

• Responsible for efficient and excellent front of house and back of house operations of the overall beverage program at Ritz-Carlton Nomad, with a specific focus on bar service, including prep for the bars. 

• Responsible for directly communicating with leadership about all beverage related opportunities within the organization.

• With support from leadership, he or she holds restaurant operations accountable for the execution of all beverage programs. 

• Assists with all manager functions within the property to support overall team success

• Will be responsible for active dining room and bar management on a daily basis

• Cultivates bar talent (hiring, training, succession planning) 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Concept Alignment

• Ensures beverage programs stay true to José Andrés’ vision. 

• Updates the beverage programs by utilizing regional products, offers suggestions on menu presentation, bar service execution, all glassware and other beverage components. 

• Communicates, collaborates and integrates with management and leadership team on direction and vision. 

• Keeps record of menu changes and development. 

• Responsible for maintaining all concept standards. 

Brand Standards

• Upholds brand compliance ensuring outlets meet/exceed standards resulting in increased guest satisfaction. 

• Works closely with the beverage director and Home Office Beverage Team to ensure all drinks, recipes, garnishes, tools, glassware and service are held to JAG standards.

Beverage Menu Standards

• Reviews and revises all beverage menus in restaurants on a monthly basis or as needed. 

• Ensures all menu revisions meet or exceed the expectations of the JAG beverage team. 

• Uses expertise to research, create and implement seasonal beverage programs on an on-going basis. 

• Adjusts and implements any changes as necessary. 

• Ensures all items & prices in POS and menus are correct and mirror each other. 

Sales Management

• Responsible for meeting and exceeding the budgeted total beverage sales target and/or budgeted beverage sales percentage for each period.

• Continually analyzes beverage mix and sales to implement changes to existing offerings.

• Promotes sales by working on the floor closely with servers & managers, contributing to pre-shift meetings, and offering regularly scheduled seminars, dinners and pairings within the restaurants. 

• Acts as ambassador to wine, beer and spirit makers, vendors and industry professionals.

• Keeps current in industry trends, tastings and seminars. 

• Schedules weekly tastings with suppliers to promote efficiency and eliminate drop‐ins, which can detract from service. 

Cost Control

• Monitor cost controls in all beverage transactions including purchasing, receiving and deploying of beverage by working closely with the purchasing team.

• Works closely with Administrative Assistants ensuring all invoicing procedures are adhered to and kept up to date.

• Monitors portfolio of beverage costs and implements corrective actions for property specific issues.

• Organize, monitor and maintain all glassware inventories to ensure all are on par. 

• Reports any cost issues with senior management and each restaurants’ management within a timely manner to ensure any corrections needed can take place before the end of period.

• Participates in monthly audits by either helping in counting and/or performing post count audits along with the Sr. Beverage Manager.

Service Excellence

• Adjusts beverage menus as necessary to ensure market competitiveness. 

• Monitors all beverage services in all spaces. 

• Attends preshifts and educates staff on continuing and new beverage offerings in each bar space.

• Makes recommendations and works collaboratively with Leadership to determine and implement proper service recovery strategy. 

• Responsible for implementing all beverage training for all front of house employees. 

• Ensures all brand and department specific training requirements are met and training is documented and retained. 

• Communicates with the Senior Beverage Manager on tastings, wine, beer and liquor maker visits, etc. 

Experience

• 1-2 years of team management experience. 

• 3 years of being a lead bartender.

• ServSafe and TIPS certified preferred. 

• Multi-property experience is preferred. 

• Must be detail oriented, with strong organizational and communication skills. 

• Proven ability to drive beverage revenue in large hospitality environments. 

• Passionate about food and beverage. 

Other Qualifications

• Strong leadership and coaching skills. Inspire and motivate others to perform well and accept feedback. 

• Strong management skills. Including staff planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; provides regular performance feedback; and develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth. 

• Public relations abilities: public speaking, media interviews, camera experience. 

• Proactive, professional and positive verbal and written communication skills. 

• Passionate about wine and passionate about educating others on the subject. 

• Exercise good judgment and role model professional behavior. 

• Ability to give clear, concise directions. 

• Readily adjusts to circumstances and manages change effectively. 

• Maintains professionalism in difficult situations. 

• Ability to implement and maintain quality and service standards to produce a consistent guest or employee experience. 

• Improve and promote quality and demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness. 

• Proficiency working with Microsoft Word, Excel, email, and internet required. 

• Delegation of work assignments. Gives authority to work independently, sets expectations and monitors delegated activities.