Director of Food & Beverage Operations

Director of Food & Beverage Operations West Michigan | Full-Time | Year-Round Salaried Leadership Role Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo is a high-volume seasonal agritainment destination operating multiple food venues, retail operations, attractions, and special events. Food & Beverage is a critical part of the guest experience and operates at significant volume during our peak season. We are seeking a Director of Food & Beverage Operations who excels at operational leadership, accountability, and execution. This role is responsible for overseeing nine food venues, developing strong frontline leadership, maintaining operational standards, and delivering measurable financial results. This is not a role for someone seeking extensive direction, lengthy observation periods, or the opportunity to redesign operations before understanding them. We are looking for a hands-on operational leader who can quickly assess, stabilize, and improve performance while maintaining consistency across the department. Position Overview The Director of Food & Beverage Operations is responsible for labor performance, inventory control, food safety compliance, operational consistency, staffing execution, leadership development, and departmental profitability. Success in this role requires strong judgment, urgency, accountability, and a willingness to be highly engaged in daily operations during peak season. The successful candidate will first demonstrate mastery of existing operations before implementing significant process changes. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership Oversee daily operations across multiple food venues Ensure consistent execution of existing standards and procedures Maintain venue readiness, cleanliness, food quality, and guest service standards Conduct routine operational audits and inspections Identify operational issues quickly and implement corrective action Food Safety & Compliance Ensure all food safety procedures, temperature logs, sanitation standards, and documentation requirements are consistently followed Hold managers and team leads accountable for compliance Conduct routine inspections and follow-up on deficiencies Maintain a culture of operational discipline and accountability Financial Performance Own labor management, scheduling efficiency, food cost, waste reduction, and departmental profitability Develop staffing plans aligned with business volume Monitor key performance indicators and take corrective action when necessary Maintain accurate inventory and ordering systems Leadership & Accountability Lead assistant managers, team leads, and seasonal leadership staff Clearly communicate expectations and operating standards Conduct regular leadership meetings and operational reviews Build accountability systems that ensure consistent execution Coach underperforming team members and recognize strong performers Seasonal Execution Maintain strong operational presence during peak business periods Support high-volume weekends, events, and seasonal surges Ensure staffing, production, inventory, and service execution are aligned with demand Drive operational stability during the busiest periods of the season What Success Looks Like Successful candidates will demonstrate: Strong labor control and scheduling discipline Reliable inventory and ordering systems Consistent food safety compliance Clear accountability among managers and team leads Well-executed opening and closing procedures Strong operational organization across all venues Measurable improvements in efficiency, profitability, and guest experience Ideal Candidate Multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, attraction, entertainment, resort, or food service leadership experience Demonstrated experience managing high-volume operations Strong understanding of labor management, food cost controls, inventory management, and operational systems Proven ability to lead through managers and team leads Highly organized, detail-oriented, and accountable Comfortable working in a fast-paced seasonal environment Track record of producing measurable operational results Important Notes About This Role This position carries significant responsibility and autonomy. We are seeking a leader who takes ownership, follows through, and produces results. Our operation moves quickly during peak season. Successful candidates are comfortable making decisions, solving problems, holding standards, and maintaining visibility in the operation when it matters most. Performance is measured by operational execution, leadership effectiveness, financial performance, food safety compliance, and measurable business outcomes.

Benefits:

Employee discount Opportunities for advancement Paid time off Retirement plan Application Question(s): How many years of experience do you have of running a multi-unit F&B concept?

Experience:

Food industry: 5 years (Required) Senior leadership: 5 years (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

New Era, MI 49446: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person