Food & Beverage Director - Milwaukee Milkmen Baseball

Job description

Milwaukee Milkmen Baseball, LLC Director of Food & Beverage Operations Location: Franklin Field | Franklin, Wisconsin Organization: Milwaukee Milkmen Baseball, LLC Department: Food & Beverage / Stadium Operations Position Type: Full-Time | Management Reports To: Executive Leadership / Stadium Operations Position Overview The Milwaukee Milkmen are seeking an experienced, hands-on, and results-driven Director of Food & Beverage Operations to oversee all food and beverage operations at Franklin Field. This position is responsible for the daily management, financial performance, staffing, menu development, inventory control, and overall execution of food and beverage services across seven designated food and beverage areas within the stadium. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, extensive food and beverage management experience, and the ability to balance operational efficiency, profitability, and exceptional guest service in a fast-paced sports and entertainment environment. The Director of Food & Beverage will play a critical role in ensuring that all concessions and food service operations are properly staffed, stocked, organized, and prepared to deliver an outstanding experience during Milwaukee Milkmen home games, special events, and other stadium programming. Key Responsibilities 1. Food & Beverage Operations Management Oversee all food and beverage operations across six designated stadium food service areas. Manage daily operational readiness, setup, service execution, and closing procedures. Ensure consistent food quality, presentation, portion control, and service standards across all locations. Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maximize efficiency and consistency. Coordinate food and beverage operations for Milwaukee Milkmen home games, private events, and third-party stadium events. Troubleshoot operational challenges and provide hands-on support during high-volume service periods. Maintain cleanliness, organization, and proper functionality of all food service areas and equipment. 2. Financial Management, COGS & Profitability Take ownership of food and beverage financial performance, including revenue, expenses, and profitability. Monitor and manage Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) across all food and beverage locations. Establish and maintain food cost and beverage cost targets in coordination with executive leadership. Analyze product pricing, portion sizes, waste, and purchasing practices to maximize profit margins. Monitor labor costs and adjust staffing levels to align with sales volume and operational demand. Review sales reports, product performance, and operating expenses to identify opportunities for improvement. Prepare and present regular financial and operational performance reports to executive leadership. Implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising food quality or guest experience. 3. Purchasing, Ordering & Inventory Control Manage all food, beverage, and supply ordering for stadium operations. Establish and maintain relationships with vendors, distributors, and suppliers. Negotiate product pricing and purchasing agreements when appropriate. Maintain accurate inventory levels across all six food and beverage areas. Conduct routine inventory counts and reconcile discrepancies. Implement inventory control procedures to minimize waste, spoilage, shrinkage, and overordering. Monitor product usage and adjust purchasing based on anticipated attendance, historical sales, and event schedules. Ensure proper product rotation, storage, and adherence to food safety standards. 4. Menu Development & Product Strategy Lead menu creation, development, and implementation across stadium food service locations. Develop creative, appealing, and profitable menu offerings appropriate for a professional baseball and entertainment venue. Evaluate existing menu items based on popularity, profitability, and operational efficiency. Establish standardized recipes, portion sizes, and product specifications. Develop seasonal specials, promotional offerings, and event-specific menus. Coordinate menu pricing and POS programming to ensure accuracy and consistency. Identify opportunities to increase average guest spending through strategic menu offerings and upselling initiatives. Collaborate with marketing and executive leadership on food and beverage promotions. 5. Staff Management & Leadership Recruit, interview, hire, train, and supervise food and beverage management and hourly staff. Oversee staffing and scheduling for all six food and beverage areas. Establish staffing plans based on anticipated attendance, event schedules, and projected sales volume. Monitor labor efficiency and maintain appropriate staffing levels. Develop training programs focused on food preparation, guest service, safety, sanitation, and operational procedures. Hold employees accountable for performance, attendance, professionalism, and company policies. Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching, and address disciplinary concerns as necessary. Foster a positive, accountable, and team-oriented work environment. Work closely with Human Resources on employee onboarding, payroll accuracy, and staffing needs. 6. Guest Experience & Quality Control Maintain high standards of guest service throughout all food and beverage operations. Ensure food is prepared and served efficiently, accurately, and consistently. Monitor service times and implement strategies to reduce wait times during peak attendance. Address guest complaints and service concerns promptly and professionally. Regularly evaluate service quality, cleanliness, and presentation across all locations. Identify opportunities to improve the overall stadium food and beverage experience. 7. Compliance, Safety & Sanitation Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal food safety and sanitation regulations. Maintain proper food handling, storage, preparation, and temperature control procedures. Oversee compliance with applicable alcohol service regulations and responsible beverage service policies. Ensure all required licenses, certifications, and inspections remain current. Maintain safe working conditions and ensure proper use of kitchen equipment. Conduct routine inspections of food service areas to identify and correct potential safety or sanitation concerns. Ensure employees receive appropriate food safety and alcohol service training. 8. Stadium Events & Cross-Department Coordination Collaborate with stadium operations, event management, marketing, and executive leadership to coordinate food and beverage services. Prepare operational plans for Milwaukee Milkmen home games, special events, private rentals, and third-party events. Forecast staffing, inventory, and product needs based on event type and expected attendance. Coordinate with event organizers regarding food and beverage requirements and service expectations. Assist with developing additional revenue opportunities through specialty concessions, group packages, and event-specific offerings. Maintain operational flexibility to accommodate evenings, weekends, holidays, and changing event schedules. Qualifications & Experience Required Qualifications Previous management experience in food and beverage operations, hospitality, concessions, restaurants, or a comparable high-volume environment. Strong understanding of COGS, food cost percentages, labor cost management, budgeting, and profitability. Experience with purchasing, inventory management, vendor relationships, and menu development. Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, schedule, and lead large teams. Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. Working knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and responsible alcohol service regulations. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and all required stadium events ServSafe Manager Certification or equivalent food safety credentials. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience in professional sports, stadium concessions, arenas, festivals, or large-scale entertainment venues. Experience overseeing multiple food and beverage outlets simultaneously. Experience with Toast POS or comparable point-of-sale and inventory management systems. Experience developing menus and managing food and beverage operations with a focus on profitability. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The Director of Food & Beverage will be evaluated on operational execution and measurable financial performance, including: COGS Management: Maintaining established food and beverage cost targets. Revenue & Profitability: Maximizing sales and operating margins across all six locations. Labor Cost Management: Maintaining appropriate staffing levels and controlling labor expenses. Inventory Accuracy: Minimizing waste, shrinkage, and inventory discrepancies. Menu Performance: Developing profitable menu offerings and improving product mix. Guest Satisfaction: Maintaining strong service standards, product quality, and operational efficiency. Staff Performance: Effective hiring, training, retention, and employee accountability. Operational Readiness: Ensuring all food and beverage locations are fully prepared for scheduled games and events. Compliance: Maintaining food safety, sanitation, and alcohol service standards. Work Environment & Expectations This is a hands-on leadership position requiring a consistent on-site presence at Franklin Field throughout the Milwaukee Milkmen baseball season and other scheduled stadium events. The Director of Food & Beverage is expected to lead by example, actively support frontline operations when needed, and take ownership of the overall performance of the stadium's food and beverage department. The position requires flexibility, accountability, strong attention to detail, and the ability to make sound operational and financial decisions in a dynamic event environment. Position Objective To build and maintain a profitable, efficient, and guest-focused food and beverage operation across all six stadium food service areas while delivering consistent quality, controlling costs, developing a strong team, and maximizing revenue opportunities for the Milwaukee Milkmen and Franklin Field.