SeaWorld is a world-renowned leader in the themed-park and entertainment industry. Our success is built on a passion for caring for animals and a dedication to delivering positive, memorable experiences to people from around the world. Were also committed to helping ambitious people achieve their professional best. We're always seeking exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable individuals to join our team.The
Corporate VP, Food & Beverage leads the overall strategic and operational direction of United Parks & Resorts' Food and Beverage programs across its 12-park portfolio. This position oversees a wide range of responsibilities focused on ensuring that food and beverage operations align with the park's overall objectives for revenue generation, operational efficiency, and guest experience. Reporting to the SVP, Retail, Ancillary, & Analytics, this role plays a critical part in the company's goals of maintaining and strengthening its position within the theme park industry.
What you get to do:1. Strategic Planning and Leadership- Develop and implement the food and beverage (F&B) strategy to support the park's overall objectives and revenue goals.
- Lead the F&B department in planning, budgeting, and forecasting for short-term and long-term growth.
- Oversee menu development, pricing strategies, and product selection to ensure offerings align with guest preferences and trends.
- Identify new revenue streams and business opportunities within F&B to drive growth.
2. Operations Management- Work closely with in-park F&B teams to influence exceptional day-to-day F&B operations across all park locations, including restaurants, quick-service outlets, food kiosks, and catering services.
- Ensure consistency in food quality, service standards, and guest experiences across all venues.
- Monitor and ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
- Implement and optimize standard operating procedures to enhance efficiency and minimize costs.
3. Financial Oversight- Develop and manage the annual F&B budget (approximately $400-500 million), including sales forecasts, labor costs, inventory, and capital expenditures.
- Drive profitability by controlling costs, reducing waste, and optimizing labor productivity.
- Analyze financial reports and metrics to identify areas for improvement, set goals, and monitor progress.
- Negotiate contracts with vendors, suppliers, and third-party partners to secure favorable terms.
4. Guest Experience and Satisfaction- Ensure the F&B offerings cater to various guest preferences, including dietary needs, cultural tastes, and age groups.
- Monitor guest feedback and work with in-park teams to respond to trends to continuously improve food quality, service, and experience.
- Lead initiatives to enhance the dining experience, such as themed dining events, seasonal menus, and exclusive experiences.
- Foster a guest-centric culture within the F&B team to consistently deliver exceptional service.
5. Menu Development and Innovation- Collaborate with chefs and culinary teams to create innovative menus that reflect current trends while appealing to park guests.
- Develop themed or seasonal menus that align with park events, attractions, and promotions.
- Ensure menus include diverse offerings that cater to various dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-sensitive options.
- Stay updated on industry trends and incorporate new food technologies or sustainable practices.
6. Team Leadership and Development- Recruit, train, and retain top culinary and management talent, ensuring staff align with the park's service standards.
- Provide leadership and coaching to develop employees and build a strong, motivated team.
- Implement performance management processes to monitor and improve team member performance.
- Encourage a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation within and between the Corporate and In-Park F&B teams.
7. Compliance and Risk Management- In partnership with in-park F&B teams, ensure all F&B operations comply with local, state, and federal health, safety, and food handling regulations.
- Implement risk management strategies to minimize liability related to food safety, labor disputes, and operational disruptions.
- Conduct regular audits and inspections to maintain compliance and high standards.
- Develop and execute emergency response plans for potential issues like foodborne illness outbreaks or equipment failures.
8. Supplier and Vendor Management- Build and maintain relationships with suppliers, distributors, and service providers.
- Oversee purchasing strategies to ensure quality products at competitive prices.
- Monitor supplier performance to ensure timely deliveries and adherence to quality standards.
- Identify opportunities for local or sustainable sourcing to align with corporate social responsibility goals.
9. Marketing and Branding Integration- Collaborate with the marketing team to promote F&B offerings through advertising, social media, and in-park promotions.
- Integrate F&B experiences into the overall brand story of the park and its attractions.
- Work with cross-functional teams to incorporate F&B elements into themed experiences, special events, and park entertainment.
- Create exclusive dining experiences or signature dishes that can become attractions themselves.
10. Sustainability and Environmental Practices- Develop and implement sustainability initiatives within F&B operations, such as reducing single-use plastics, managing food waste, and sourcing sustainable ingredients.
- Track and report on sustainability metrics related to F&B operations.
- Educate staff and guests about sustainable practices in dining.
11. Event and Catering Management- Oversee food and beverage services for private events, corporate functions, and park-hosted events.
- Ensure event menus and services are customized to meet client expectations while aligning with park standards.
- Manage logistics, staffing, and operations for large-scale events to ensure smooth execution.
12. Technology and Innovation- Leverage technology to improve guest experiences, such as mobile ordering, contactless payments, or self-service kiosks.
- Implement data analytics to optimize inventory management, pricing, and sales forecasting.
- Stay informed on emerging technologies that can enhance operational efficiency or guest satisfaction.
13. Capital planning & execution- Identify requirements, obtain approval and oversee execution of capital expenditure for F&B
14. Stakeholder Communication and Reporting- Report to senior executives on F&B performance, initiatives, and strategic goals.
- Communicate with stakeholders, including shareholders, about key achievements and plans within the F&B division.
- Provide updates on how the F&B strategy supports the overall vision of the park.
What it takes to succeed:- Bachelor's degree ideally from a top hospitality management program, or equivalent experience; MBA preferred
- 7-10 years of food and beverage multi-unit leadership experience with increasing levels of responsibility in the hospitality industry (ideally in an aspirational or lifestyle brand)
- Strong influencing skills and ability to build relationship building skills with internal and external cross functional stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience in leading global food and beverage operations designing and executing programs to drive revenue growth and cost efficiency / productivity at scale
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate at multiple levels and strong public speaking skills with proven success influencing large and diverse teams
- Effective organizational skills, demonstrated by ability to set priorities, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and be attentive to details
- Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Experience building and managing a large, complex budget
- Works well in a fast paced, high-pressure environment
- Knowledge of industry best practices and trends
- Travel required - 20-40%
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs
The perks of the position:
- Paid Time Off
- Complimentary Park Tickets and Passes
- Park Discounts on Food and Merchandise
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401K Retirement plan
- Voluntary Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Legal Assistance Plan
EEO Employer:SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, PREGNANCY, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, DISABILITY OR COVERED VETERAN STATUS.