Director of Food And Beverage

About the role

The Downtown Market is seeking an experienced, strategic, and hospitality-driven Director of Food and Beverage to join our team. You will play a vital leadership role in creating memorable experiences for guests by overseeing all food and beverage operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all food and beverage operations across the Downtown Market, including the Christkindl Markt, private events, public programs, and internal initiatives.
• Work closely with organizational leadership, event teams, vendors, distributors, caterers, and staff to develop exceptional food and beverage experiences while driving operational efficiency, financial performance, and outstanding hospitality standards.
• Build strong systems and lead teams to create innovative offerings and ensure seamless event execution.

Requirements

• Extensive food and beverage leadership experience, 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in food and beverage operations, hospitality, restaurants, catering, festivals, event venues, or a related industry.
• Understanding of what it takes to lead high-volume operations while balancing guest experience, team development, and financial performance.
• Strong financial and operational instincts, understanding inventory management, beverage costing, purchasing strategies, pricing, forecasting, and profitability.
• Exceptionally organized, enjoying creating systems that bring order to complex operations.
• Confident leading teams and building relationships, communicating with professionalism, warmth, and clarity while coaching staff, partnering with vendors, collaborating with clients, and supporting internal teams.
• Proactive, resourceful, and looking for ways to improve processes, anticipate challenges, and create better experiences for guests and team members.

Qualifications

• Ability to regularly lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk, (including on uneven surfaces), and perform manual tasks, in varying and possibly extreme weather conditions.
• Availability for long shifts, evenings, weekends, holidays, and high-volume event periods.
• Highly skilled in time management and prioritization, able to work on simultaneous projects with tight and varied deadlines.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
• Exceptional hospitality and business acumen.
• Leadership and team-building skills.
• Financial and operational expertise.

Benefits

We value individuals who bring energy, collaboration, resourcefulness, and a positive attitude. We strive to provide exceptional experiences while ensuring our guests, clients, vendors, staff, and community partners feel welcomed, supported, and cared for.

Pay

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Highly flexible schedule required, including long shifts, evenings, weekends, holidays, and high-volume event periods.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is an Equal Opportunity Employer.