Beverage Manager

Beverage Manager

The Beverage Manager is responsible for the overall operation, profitability, guest experience, and strategic growth of all assigned beverage outlets within the casino. This position directs beverage operations, team leadership, financial performance, inventory control, regulatory compliance, and service excellence while actively driving revenue through innovative promotions, entertainment partnerships, special events, and guest engagement initiatives.

The Beverage Manager must be a high-energy, visible, and enthusiastic leader who creates an exciting atmosphere for guests and team members alike. This individual serves as a champion for hospitality, entertainment, and beverage innovation by developing creative programs that increase guest traffic, beverage sales, repeat visitation, and overall profitability while supporting the casino's mission, values, and business objectives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the daily operations of all assigned beverage outlets.
• Ensure exceptional guest service standards and prompt resolution of guest concerns.
• Monitor beverage quality, presentation, cleanliness, and service consistency.
• Coordinate beverage operations during casino promotions, entertainment events, tournaments, and special functions.
• Maintain cleanliness, safety, sanitation, and operational standards throughout all beverage outlets.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive organizational, employee, and guest information.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence on the gaming floor and throughout beverage operations.
• Consistently demonstrate a professional appearance and promote a positive guest-focused culture.

Revenue Generation, Promotions & Guest Engagement

• Drive beverage revenue through innovative promotions, themed events, seasonal beverage offerings, happy hour programs, entertainment partnerships, and special events.
• Develop creative strategies to increase guest traffic, average guest spend, beverage sales, repeat visitation, and outlet profitability.
• Partner with Marketing, Gaming Operations, Food & Beverage, Entertainment, and Player Development departments to create and promote beverage-focused experiences that support overall casino revenue growth.
• Evaluate guest trends, sales data, competition, and market opportunities to identify new revenue-generating initiatives and promotional opportunities.
• Support the planning and execution of special events, VIP functions, concerts, tournaments, holiday celebrations, property-wide promotions, private parties, and community events.
• Create a fun, energetic, and engaging atmosphere that encourages guest participation, excitement, loyalty, and repeat business.
• Develop signature cocktails, seasonal beverage menus, and specialty offerings that enhance the guest experience and increase sales.
• Identify opportunities to cross-promote casino amenities, loyalty programs, entertainment events, and other property offerings.
• Track promotional performance and evaluate return on investment (ROI) for beverage events and initiatives.
• Recommend and implement new concepts that enhance profitability and market competitiveness.

Staff Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, interview, hire, train, coach, mentor, and develop bartenders, bar backs, beverage servers, and supervisors.
• Exercise authority to hire, promote, transfer, demote, discipline, and terminate employees consistent with organizational policies.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability standards.
• Prepare and manage employee schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels and labor cost controls.
• Conduct performance evaluations and administer corrective action when necessary.
• Foster a positive, high-performance work environment focused on teamwork, accountability, service excellence, and guest satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with tribal, state, federal, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Lead pre-shift meetings and ongoing team development initiatives to promote engagement and operational excellence.

Financial Management

• Partner with Finance to ensure all revenue is accurately captured, reconciled, and reported.
• Develop, manage, and monitor labor budgets and staffing plans.
• Monitor beverage costs, inventory levels, pour controls, waste, spoilage, and shrinkage.
• Analyze sales trends, guest spending patterns, and profitability metrics.
• Review beverage department profit and loss statements and recommend corrective actions and business improvements.
• Maintain effective inventory controls and vendor relationships.
• Participate in annual budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability while maintaining service quality.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement action plans to achieve financial goals.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Adhere to all tribal gaming regulations, departmental procedures, internal controls, and company policies.
• Ensure compliance with liquor laws, health department regulations, and responsible alcohol service requirements.
• Maintain all required certifications, licenses, and permits.
• Enforce responsible alcohol service practices and guest safety protocols.
• Ensure adherence to cash-handling procedures and internal control standards.
• Support audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews as required.

System Access: Synkros, Agilysys InfoGenesis, Food Track, Forms Database, Doc-Link, Liquor Control Systems, and Time and Attendance System

Upholds Odawa Casino Mission statement in all aspects of position:

Mission: Bringing you the THRILL of the win and the FUN of the game, served with a side of real-deal HOSPITALITY.

Values:

We create a culture that provides:

1. Create the THRILL
2. Lead with FUN
3. Serve with Real-Deal HOSPITALITY
4. One Team, One Experience
5. Own the Moment
6. Do What's Right – Always
7. Level Up Every Day

Leadership Competencies

• High-energy, enthusiastic leadership style.
• Strong business acumen and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Creativity in developing promotions and revenue-generating events.
• Exceptional guest service and hospitality skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Data-driven approach to operational and financial management.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Food & Beverage Management, or a related field and three (3) years of beverage/bar management experience; OR High school diploma or equivalent and five (5) years of progressively responsible beverage/bar management experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience managing beverage operations in a casino, resort, hospitality, entertainment, or high-volume food and beverage environment preferred.
• Capability to learn promotions, special events, marketing initiatives, or revenue-generating programs.
• Experience with inventory systems, scheduling software, budgeting, labor management, and POS systems.
• Knowledge of wines, spirits, beer programs, mixology, and beverage trends.
• Strong financial, analytical, and business management skills.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to learn specialized software packages.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, communication, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Knowledge of all phases of beverage operations and guest service.
• Ability to troubleshoot liquor control systems and beverage inventory technology.
• Ability to work effectively during high-volume operations and peak business periods.
• Advanced organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Certifications

• Must obtain and maintain TIPS Certification within thirty (30) days of hire or provide proof of current certification.
• ServSafe Food Manager Certification preferred or must obtain within a timeframe established by management.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events as required.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to work in areas with exposure to noise, crowds