Food and Beverage Product Strategy Manager

Private Destinations•Seattle, WA

11h•$83,200 - $112,300•Hybrid

About The Position

The Food & Beverage Product Strategy Manager is responsible for driving the design, testing, and launch of new and enhanced food and beverage offerings and product development across Holland America Line (HAL) and Seabourn (SBN), with a strong focus on innovation and automation. This role manages the end-to-end innovation pipeline, translating business strategies into scalable products, programs, and process improvements that can be successfully implemented across the fleet. The position identifies emerging trends, evaluates new technologies, and recommends automation opportunities that improve consistency, efficiency, and overall business performance. The Food & Beverage Product Strategy Manager leads product testing, pilot programs, and performance analysis, using data and stakeholder feedback to measure results and guide continuous improvement. Working closely with Culinary Operations, Information Technology, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams, this role ensures cross-functional alignment and successful execution of strategic initiatives. The position serves as a subject matter expert, providing guidance on food and beverage product strategy, innovation, and operational best practices that support organizational goals. The ideal candidate possesses strong project management, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with experience in hospitality, food and beverage operations, product development, and technology-enabled innovation.

Requirements

Hospitality Management Degree or equivalent experience.
3-5 years’ experience on Cruise Ships or related-shoreside role (i.e. high-volume restaurant or hotel environment), focusing on F&B product development and/or operations.
Experience introducing or working with digital tools, automation, or data-driven processes in a product development or operations setting is strongly preferred.
Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in food and beverage operations, product development, product strategy, hospitality operations, or a related field.
Experience developing, evaluating, and implementing food and beverage products, programs, or guest-facing initiatives within a hospitality, travel, cruise, hotel, restaurant, or similar service environment.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives from concept development through implementation and performance evaluation.
Experience conducting market research, trend analysis, and business assessments to identify opportunities and support strategic decision-making.
Proven ability to analyze operational, guest, and financial data to develop recommendations that improve business performance and guest satisfaction.
Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including operational, commercial, marketing, technology, procurement, and supply chain teams, to drive successful business outcomes.
Demonstrated experience evaluating business processes and identifying opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency.
Strong project management experience, including managing multiple concurrent initiatives, balancing competing priorities, and delivering results within established timelines.
Experience developing business cases, presenting recommendations, and influencing decisions through data-driven insights and effective communication.

Responsibilities

Manages the development and advancement of food and beverage product strategies that support guest satisfaction, revenue growth, and operational objectives across HAL and SBN. Identifies opportunities to enhance existing offerings and introduce new products, services, and experiences that align with evolving guest preferences and market demands. Conducts industry research and trend analysis to evaluate emerging concepts and determine their potential value to the business. Maintains a structured portfolio of development initiatives and ensures priorities align with strategic objectives and available resources. Develops recommendations that balance guest experience, operational feasibility, and financial considerations. Partners with stakeholders to define project goals, timelines, and implementation requirements. Serves as a subject matter expert on product strategy and innovation, providing guidance that supports long-term business growth and differentiation.
Evaluates emerging technologies and automation solutions that enhance food and beverage operations, improve consistency, and increase efficiency across the fleet. Researches new tools, platforms, and digital capabilities to determine their applicability within onboard and shoreside environments. Develops business cases that assess anticipated benefits, investment requirements, operational impact, and implementation considerations. Collaborates with Information Technology and business leaders to support the evaluation, selection, and adoption of approved solutions. Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve scalability through technology-enabled processes. Supports implementation activities and promotes sustainable adoption by ensuring solutions align with operational needs. Monitors outcomes and recommends adjustments that maximize value and support continuous improvement objectives.
Designs and manages product testing initiatives to evaluate new concepts, enhancements, and operational improvements before broader deployment. Establishes clear success measures and key performance indicators to assess initiative effectiveness and business impact. Collects and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data from guests, crew, operational teams, and financial results. Translates findings into actionable recommendations that support informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Evaluates performance trends to identify opportunities for refinement, expansion, or optimization. Measures product effectiveness against defined objectives and communicates results to leadership and key stakeholders. Maintains reporting and documentation that support transparency, knowledge sharing, and future innovation efforts.
Leads multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deliverables are completed on schedule, within scope, and aligned with business priorities. Develops project plans, implementation strategies, and milestone tracking tools to support successful execution. Coordinates activities across departments and business partners to ensure alignment and timely completion of key initiatives. Facilitates project discussions, working sessions, and reviews to maintain momentum and accountability. Identifies risks, dependencies, and resource constraints and develops solutions to mitigate potential impacts. Provides regular updates regarding progress, challenges, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership teams. Applies strong organizational and project management practices to drive efficient execution and sustainable results.
Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external partners to support collaboration, innovation, and successful execution of strategic initiatives. Partners closely with Culinary Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and other business areas to align priorities and achieve desired outcomes. Provides expertise and recommendations related to food and beverage strategy, product development, market trends, and industry best practices. Represents the department in cross-functional initiatives and business discussions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Communicates complex information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences. Shares knowledge, guidance, and best practices with colleagues to support professional development and operational excellence. Maintains awareness of emerging hospitality and guest experience trends that may influence future business opportunities.