Senior Food and Beverage Manager

La Bahia Resort and Spa•Santa Cruz, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

La Bahia Hotel & Spa is seeking a dynamic Senior Food & Beverage Manager with deep expertise in F&B operations and current industry trends in mixology and beverage service. This role oversees the day-to-day operations of all F&B outlets in a senior supervisory capacity, while also owning the hotel's beverage program end-to-end — from crafting innovative cocktail, wine, and spirits offerings to mentoring bar teams. The Senior F&B Manager will embrace La Bahia's luxury service standards (inspired by Forbes) and ensure every guest experience, from dining to drinks, reflects our commitment to creativity and refinement.

Requirements

3+ years of progressive Food & Beverage management experience, including direct beverage/bar program oversight
Strong knowledge of California labor law as it pertains to F&B operations (meal/rest periods, tip pooling, overtime)
Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse team
Knowledge of spirits/beer selection and wine pairings required
Experience with POS systems, scheduling/payroll platforms, and budget management
Excellent communication skills; bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
Flexibility to work varying shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences

Nice To Haves

Luxury hotel experience preferred
Knowledge of the Santa Cruz restaurant industry a plus

Responsibilities

Establish and monitor standards for all F&B outlets, including personnel administration, performance management, and service to guests.
Maintain visibility and accessibility to guests, staff, and vendors; maintain effective communication with all staff to ensure F&B outlets perform at established standards.
Organize and monitor staff schedules across F&B outlets.
Ensure guests' needs are fulfilled and their dining experience is as pleasurable as possible; respond to guest feedback, including complaints/problems.
Establish par levels for supplies and equipment; monitor and maintain proper inventory levels; authorize purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
Arrange maintenance, repairs, or replacement of equipment and services.
Implement cost controls across the food & beverage department.
Maintain high standards of food & beverage quality, service, and marketing to maximize profits through outstanding customer service.
Control the sales and profitability of all beverage programs throughout the hotel.
Establish and monitor standards for a beverage program featuring an extensive wine selection, spirits collection, and refined pairings tailored to the menu.
Establish standard operating procedures for beverage service, wine storage, and inventory management.
Oversee day-to-day execution of the beverage program, ensuring seamless and sophisticated service.
Manage bar staff performance in accordance with established service standards and procedures.
Train front-of-house staff in wine knowledge, tableside beverage presentation, and pairing recommendations to create a polished and intuitive guest experience.
Possess and maintain thorough knowledge of all beverage selections available, including characteristics and descriptions of every wine/champagne on the list and by the glass, as well as all menu items, preparation methods/times, ingredients, sauces, portion sizes, presentation, and prices.
Prepare accurate and timely reports as required.
Assist staff with job functions as needed to ensure optimum service to all guests.
Support safe work habits and a safe working environment at all times.
Perform all other duties that may be assigned as needed by your manager.
Uphold La Bahia's Standards of Appearance and brand service culture across the team.
Participate in daily briefings, departmental meetings, and property-wide leadership initiatives.