Director of Food & Beverage - Kalamazoo Event Center

About the Role

The Director of Food & Beverage provides strategic and operational leadership for all food and beverage operations at the Kalamazoo Event Center (KEC), a premier sports and entertainment venue. This role oversees concessions, premium hospitality, banquets, beverage programs, and the Western Michigan University Athletic Performance Center (APC) cafeteria. The position requires a highly strategic, systems-driven leader who can drive revenue, maximize per caps, and deliver exceptional guest experiences in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while leading a large, multi-functional team.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
  • Oversee all F&B operations including concessions (marketplaces + concourse stands), premium suites and clubs, banquet and event operations, and the WMU Athletic Performance Center (APC) cafeteria.
  • Ensure consistent execution, service standards, and operational alignment across all outlets.
• Revenue & Financial Performance
  • Drive overall F&B revenue with a strong focus on per cap growth.
  • Develop pricing, packaging, and promotional strategies.
  • Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
  • Manage food, beverage, and labor cost controls.
• Culinary & Beverage Strategy
  • Provide oversight and direction to the Executive Chef and culinary team.
  • Lead all beverage programming across concessions, premium, and club spaces.
  • Ensure offerings are profitable, executable, and aligned with guest expectations.
• Systems & Throughput
  • Develop systems that drive speed of service, efficiency, and consistency.
  • Optimize guest flow and reduce friction across all service points.
  • Utilize data and reporting to continuously improve performance.
• Partnerships & WMU Athletics
  • Serve as primary F&B liaison for WMU Athletics (hockey, men’s & women’s basketball).
  • Oversee APC cafeteria operations and athlete dining experience.
  • Support game day operations, team needs, and partnership initiatives.
• Team Development
  • Recruit, develop, and lead a large F&B team across all areas.
  • Build strong leadership pipelines and accountability within the organization.
  • Foster a culture of performance, engagement, and service excellence.
• Community & Brand Engagement
  • Build relationships with local businesses, vendors, and community partners.
  • Represent KEC and Greenleaf Hospitality Group in the community.
  • Support downtown activation and community initiatives.
• Compliance & Safety
  • Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and liquor regulations.
  • Oversee food safety, sanitation, and operational standards.

Requirements

• 10+ years of leadership experience in high-volume F&B operations (sports & entertainment, hotels, or multi-unit environments preferred).
• Proven ability to manage complex, multi-outlet operations.
• Strong food and beverage knowledge, including beverage program leadership.
• Experience driving revenue growth and per cap performance.
• Strong financial acumen (P&L, budgeting, forecasting).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficient in POS systems and Microsoft Office / Google Suite.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 10 hours).
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Success in This Role

• Strong per cap growth and revenue performance.
• Efficient, high-throughput operations with minimal guest friction.
• High-performing, engaged F&B team.
• Seamless execution across concessions, premium, and events.
• Strong partnership with WMU Athletics and community stakeholders.