Food & Beverage Manager | Mesa Convention Center

Legends Global•Tempe, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Food & Beverage Operations Manager plays a key leadership role in overseeing the daily execution of food and beverage operations at Mesa Convention Center. Reporting to the Director of Food & Beverage, this position supports the planning, staffing, financial performance, and operational success of a diverse range of events, including conventions, trade shows, festivals, concerts, and community gatherings. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, ensures exceptional guest experiences, maintains high standards of safety and compliance, and partners closely with cross-functional teams to deliver seamless event execution while driving operational efficiency and profitability. Located in downtown Mesa, Arizona, Mesa Convention Center is the largest event venue in the East Valley. The venue features nearly 40,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space, 26 breakout rooms, 40,000 square feet of outdoor function space, and an outdoor amphitheater with capacity for up to 5,000 guests. From conferences and trade shows to community gatherings, festivals, and live entertainment, Mesa Convention Center provides a versatile setting for memorable events and experiences.

Requirements

3-5 years of progressively responsible food and beverage, hospitality, venue, convention center, catering, banquet, restaurant, or event operations experience preferred.
1-3 years of prior supervisory or management experience.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Knowledge of retail point-of-sales (POS) systems, including operational procedures and policies.
Strong understanding of food and beverage operations, including FOH, BOH, catering, concessions, stewarding, and event service.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Food & Beverage Management, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related field preferred.
Prior experience coordinating large-scale events, banquets, concessions, catering, or high-volume food and beverage operations strongly preferred.
Experience scheduling and managing contingent, temporary, or contract labor is highly desirable.
Experience working with BEOs, Work Orders, and event management systems such as Momentus or similar platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

Support the Director of Food & Beverage in the planning, organization, financial performance, and daily operation of the department.
Maintain expertise in our systems and participate in Work Order, BEO, event planning, and operational meetings to ensure staffing, equipment, inventory, service, and logistical needs are met.
Manage and support event operations from setup through breakdown, ensuring seamless execution and communication among staff, clients, vendors, culinary teams, and guests.
Ensure compliance with alcohol service, food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, cash-handling, and company operating procedures while maintaining a safe and professional environment.
Analyze budgets, forecasts, labor and product costs, ticket sales, event projections, and profit and loss reports to support operational and financial decision-making.
Assist with the development, review, and implementation of contracts, policies, procedures, and departmental standards.
Recruit, train, coach, schedule, and provide direction to team members, contingent labor, and event staff to ensure operational excellence.
Conduct inspections and pre-event walkthroughs to verify quality standards, operational readiness, staffing plans, equipment functionality, and service expectations.
Coordinate purchasing, inventory management, receiving, storage, product distribution, and par levels to support event and venue operations.
Maintain organized concession, storage, service, and back-of-house areas while enforcing standards for cleanliness, safety, accessibility, and inventory control.
Troubleshoot operational challenges in real time and collaborate with internal departments to deliver successful events and exceptional guest experiences.
Complete required reports, document post-event results, identify process improvements, and perform additional projects and duties as assigned.