Beverage Manager

Position Overview: The Beverage Director is responsible for the overall leadership, profitability, development, and execution of the beverage program across the property. This position oversees beverage operations, purchasing, inventory, cost controls, menu development, staff training, vendor relationships, and compliance with company standards and SOPs. The Beverage Director is expected to be highly organized, financially accountable, and hands-on, with a strong understanding of beverage cost management and operational execution. A key responsibility of this role is maintaining accurate and timely financial and inventory reporting, including MarginEdge, inventory, invoices, recipes, and beverage cost reporting.

Beverage Program Leadership

• Oversee all beverage operations across applicable outlets, including restaurants, bars, events, brand activations and other beverage revenue centers.
• Develop and maintain beverage menus that align with the property's brand, guest experience, and financial objectives alongside ownership.
• Ensure consistency in beverage quality, presentation, recipes, and service standards.
• Train and develop bartenders, barbacks and other relevant team members.
• Establish and maintain beverage standards, recipes, specifications, and preparation procedures.
• Monitor beverage quality, portion control, waste, and product utilization using a waste control system.
• Work on the floor  closely with Operations, Culinary, Events, and Management to ensure seamless service.
• Ensure all beverage operations, bars, storage areas, and service practices remain fully compliant with all applicable Department of Health (DOH) regulations and requirements.
• Maintain proper sanitation, cleanliness, food and beverage handling, storage, labeling, and temperature-control standards as applicable.
• Ensure all beverage staff follow required health and safety procedures.
• Address and correct any DOH-related deficiencies immediately and communicate any concerns to Operations.
• Maintain all required DOH documentation, certifications, and inspection records.
• Oversee any R&M related to the bar equipment. 
  

• Maintain accountability for beverage COGS and profitability according to company SOPs and policies. 
• Review beverage sales, costs, purchasing, inventory, and variances on a weekly basis. Reporting to ownership. 
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve margins, and increase profitability.
• Ensure beverage pricing accurately reflects product costs and targeted margins.
• Monitor purchasing and ensure orders are aligned with forecasted business levels.
• Review and address inventory discrepancies and variances.
• Maintain beverage related items and updates on the POS.
• Ensure beverage is accounted for correctly on event BEOs and open bar parties.
• MarginEdge & Financial Reporting Requirements.
• Beverage Invoice Submission (weekly and monthly)
• Purchasing & Vendor Management per company standards and policies.
• Month End Inventory responsibility to SOP and policy.

MarginEdge & Financial Reporting Requirements

The Beverage Director is directly responsible for ensuring that MarginEdge is accurate, current, and properly maintained for all beverage-related operations. The Beverage Director is responsible for the accuracy of the beverage information within MarginEdge and should not rely on another team member to identify or correct ongoing discrepancies.

• Ensure MarginEdge is fully and accurately set up for the beverage program prior to the season
• Ensure all beverage recipes are entered accurately.
• Ensure all beverage items are properly mapped to the appropriate revenue centers, categories, and accounting codes.
• Regularly review recipes and mapping for accuracy.
• Immediately correct any discrepancies identified through inventory, invoices, or financial reporting.

Beverage Invoice Submission

The Beverage Director is responsible for ensuring that all beverage-related invoices are uploaded into MarginEdge by the end of day every Monday. All invoices must be reviewed for accuracy prior to submission and properly coded/mapped within MarginEdge.

Monday Deadline: All beverage-related invoices must be uploaded, reviewed, and properly entered into MarginEdge by end of day Monday.

The Beverage Director is responsible for completing the weekly beverage inventory (NOTE: not to be delegated out to anyone). All weekly beverage inventory must be completed, uploaded, and submitted according to the appropriate SOP by end of day Monday. The Beverage Director is responsible for ensuring this process is completed independently and accurately.

The Beverage Director must:

• Complete the physical beverage inventory.
• Ensure all counts are accurate and complete.
• Reconcile any significant discrepancies.
• Enter/upload the inventory into MarginEdge.
• Complete and submit the required inventory reporting form in accordance with the company's Inventory SOP.
• Submit the completed inventory reporting to the appropriate Accounting and Ownership recipients.

Month-End Inventory

A complete month-end beverage inventory is required on the first Monday of every month prior to service.

The Beverage Director is responsible for:

1. Completing the full physical beverage inventory.
2. Ensuring all counts are accurate.
3. Completing the inventory prior to the start of service.
4. Uploading the inventory into MarginEdge.
5. Completing the required month-end inventory reporting form.
6. Submitting the completed report to Accounting and Ownership by end of day Monday.
7. Reviewing any significant variances and providing explanations when necessary.

Purchasing & Vendor Management

• Manage all beverage purchasing and ordering.
• Maintain strong relationships with beverage vendors and distributors.
• Negotiate pricing and identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Obtain necessary documents and information on payment for vendors. 
• Check statements weekly for any missing invoices. 
• Ensure orders are placed based on business levels, inventory, and upcoming events.
• Avoid over-ordering and unnecessary inventory accumulation.

Menu Development

• Develop and maintain beverage menus in collaboration with Operations and Culinary.
• Create and maintain accurate recipes and specifications for all cocktails and beverage offerings.
• Ensure menu pricing is accurate and aligned with targeted beverage costs.
• Conduct regular menu reviews based on sales performance, seasonality, product availability, and profitability.
• Introduce new beverage offerings and seasonal programming when appropriate.

Staff Training & Development

• Train all beverage staff on recipes, service standards, POS procedures, responsible alcohol service, and product knowledge.
• Conduct regular training and refreshers.
• Ensure staff understand proper portioning and beverage specifications.
• Hold the beverage team accountable for following established SOPs.
• Provide coaching and performance feedback.
• Maintain a professional, organized, and service-focused beverage team.