Job Title: Culinary Director - Rock Island Bridge

Location: Over the Kansas River in the West Bottom

Company Description: The Rock Island Bridge is the world’s first entertainment district on a bridge over a river. It features a large commercial kitchen, two bars, an event space, and day-one seating for 500 guests.

Job Description: We seek a creative and experienced professional to lead a distinctive food and beverage operation, including menu creation, staffing, inventory, and reporting.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute strategic plans to drive business growth, enhance customer experiences, and maintain the highest standards of service and quality.

· Team Building and Management: Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and promoting teamwork and collaboration.

· Financial Management: Develop and manage budgets, monitor financial performance, and implement cost-control measures to ensure profitability and efficiency.

· Event Management: Oversee all aspects of event planning and execution, including catering services, event coordination, and client relationship management.

· Bar & Restaurant Operations: Ensure smooth day-to-day operations, including menu development, food and beverage quality control, and guest satisfaction.

· Vendor and Supplier Management: Negotiate contracts with vendors and suppliers, manage relationships, and ensure the timely delivery of goods and services.

· Compliance and Regulation: Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards concerning food safety, health, and sanitation.

· Marketing and Promotion: Collaborate with the marketing team to develop and implement marketing strategies to attract and retain new customers.

· Community Engagement: Coordinate with programming and events professionals at the Rock Island Bridge to provide offerings that drive traffic and customer satisfaction.

· Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for operational improvement, implement best practices, and drive innovation to enhance the overall guest experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field OR a culinary degree and 5 to 10 years of experience leading a food and beverage operation.

· Track record of successfully managing small and large-scale operations, including P&L responsibility, budgeting, and financial analysis.

· Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff to achieve excellence.

· Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

· Knowledge of local market trends and competition in the Kansas City metro area.

· Familiarity with industry-specific software and technology platforms for event management, POS systems, and inventory control.

· Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

LOCATION:

The candidate should be based in the Kansas City metro area or have a strong connection to this community.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Food provided
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Experience level:

• 7 years

Pay rate:

• Yearly pay

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus opportunities
• Performance bonus

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• Bar
• Casual dining restaurant
• Upscale casual restaurant

Ability to Relocate:

• Kansas City, KS: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person