Director of Food & Beverage - Kalamazoo Event Center

Greenleaf Hospitality Group•Kalamazoo, MI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Food & Beverage provides strategic and operational leadership for all food and beverage operations at KEC. This role oversees concessions, premium hospitality, banquets, beverage programs, and the WMU Athletic Performance Center. This 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.

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

Responsibilities

Oversee all F&B operations including: Concessions (marketplaces + concourse stands), Premium suites and clubs, Banquet and event operations, WMU Athletic Performance Center (APC) cafeteria.
Ensure consistent execution, service standards, and operational alignment across all outlets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Build relationships with local businesses, vendors, and community partners.
Represent KEC and Greenleaf Hospitality Group in the community.
Support downtown activation and community initiatives.
Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and liquor regulations.
Oversee food safety, sanitation, and operational standards.