Beverage Manager

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nSalary: $85,000 + Bonus Elk Ave Hospitality Do You Love Great Beverage Programs, Leadership, and Mountain Living as Much as We Do? Work Hard. Play Hard. Live Fully in Crested Butte. At Elk Ave Hospitality, we are building teams for people who want more than just a job. We are looking for leaders who want to shape beverage culture, develop teams, strengthen systems, and help grow a multi-concept hospitality company in the Gunnison Valley. If you love creating thoughtful beverage programs, developing people, and connecting great drinks with strong systems, sales strategy, purchasing, quality control, and profitability, we want to hear from you. Whether your passion is skiing first tracks, biking wildflower-lined trails, fishing alpine waters, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Rockies, this is an opportunity to build a meaningful hospitality career while enjoying the lifestyle of one of Colorados most remarkable mountain communities. We are growing quickly and actively building career paths for people who want to expand their knowledge, strengthen their leadership, and contribute to a hospitality culture built around quality, accountability, and genuine care. What You Can ExpectA positive, team-oriented leadership environmentThe opportunity to shape beverage standards across multiple conceptsOngoing professional development and advancement opportunitiesEmployee housing opportunities, depending on availabilityCompetitive compensationHealth benefitsPaid time offA leadership role on the Elk Ave Hospitality Shared Services teamThe opportunity to live and work in the Gunnison Valley This is a full-time salaried leadership position. Who Were Looking For You may be a strong fit if you:Take pride in building thoughtful, profitable beverage programsUnderstand cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, and beverage serviceCan develop bartenders, bar leads, managers, and service teamsBalance creativity with systems, cost control, and consistencyThink strategically about beverage sales, purchasing, margin, and guest experienceCan design and manage beverage programs for both restaurant operations and large-scale eventsHave a strong eye for quality control and executionCan build training materials and development programs that teams actually useCommunicate clearly with venue leadership, culinary teams, and senior leadershipCan operate effectively across multiple concepts and service stylesAre committed to continued education and growth within the beverage field Our core values are Communication, Humility, Accountability, Integrity, and Respect, and we are looking for a beverage leader who will model those values throughout the organization. What Will Be Expected of You In this role, you will be expected to:Maintain a professional appearance and model leadership standardsWork evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours when business needs requireTravel between concepts and maintain regular presence in the bars and restaurants you supportCommunicate clearly and constructively with senior leadership, managers, bartenders, servers, culinary teams, and the Events DepartmentProtect beverage standards while respecting the identity of each conceptBuild systems that support quality, speed, cleanliness, inventory accuracy, training, sales, and cost controlStep directly into service when additional leadership, training, quality control, or support is neededPursue sommelier certification and remain committed to continued learning Cross-Training and Growth We believe strong beverage leaders understand the entire operation, not just what happens behind the bar. The Group Beverage Manager works across multiple concepts, service styles, and leadership teams to build shared standards while preserving the identity of each venue. This role offers the opportunity to shape the long-term beverage direction of Elk Ave Hospitality, develop future beverage leaders, and create systems that support sustainable growth across the company. Professional development is an expectation of the role. The Group Beverage Manager must be willing to pursue sommelier certification and remain actively engaged in continued learning around wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, purchasing, sales, and profitability. About Elk Ave Hospitality Elk Ave Hospitality is a growing family of restaurants and hospitality businesses in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley. Our concepts range from elevated dining to high-volume casual hospitality, historic mountain-town service, destination dining, events, bakery, market, and provisions. Our portfolio includes Elk Prime, Bruhaus, Wooden Nickel, Bar 47, Mules Ear Market and Provisions, and a growing events operation. We believe hospitality can be both a craft and a career. With multiple concepts, varied service models, and meaningful opportunities for advancement, we are building a company for people who want to work hard, contribute to a strong culture, and grow their skills over time. About Shared Services The Group Beverage Manager is part of Elk Ave Hospitalitys Shared Services team, supporting beverage performance across the company rather than operating within a single venue. This position reports to the Director of Operations and works directly with the Profitability Manager to connect beverage strategy with sales, purchasing, inventory, cost control, and margin performance. The Group Beverage Manager also partners closely with General Managers, culinary leaders, bar leads, and the Events Department to turn company beverage strategy into consistent venue-level execution. Position Summary As Group Beverage Manager, I lead beverage standards, menus, recipes, sales strategy, strategic purchasing, inventory, margin control, training and development, quality control, bar logistics, event beverage programs, and continued beverage education across Elk Ave Hospitality. I am responsible for ensuring each concept delivers a beverage experience that is consistent, profitable, well executed, and aligned with its individual brand. I balance creativity with operational and financial discipline. I understand that a strong beverage program requires thoughtful menu development, strategic purchasing, accurate costing, disciplined inventory, effective training, quality control, responsible alcohol service, strong salesmanship, and consistent follow-through. Benefits and PerksCompetitive compensationHealth benefitsPaid time offEmployee housing opportunities, depending on availabilityOpportunities for growth and advancement within Elk Ave HospitalitySupport for continued beverage education and sommelier developmentThe chance to shape beverage programs across multiple conceptsThe opportunity to live and work in one of Colorados most remarkable mountain communities Key Responsibilities Beverage Menu, Recipe, and Sales StrategyAs Group Beverage Manager, I set and manage beverage menus across Elk Ave Hospitality.I develop, document, cost, and maintain cocktail, wine, beer, spirit, and non-alcoholic beverage offerings.I own recipes, builds, garnishes, glassware, presentation standards, and service expectations.I evaluate menu performance based on sales, seasonality, guest response, margin, and operational feasibility.I create strategies to improve beverage capture, average check, and overall beverage revenue.I work with venue leadership to ensure each beverage program reflects its concept while remaining aligned with company standards. Strategic Purchasing, Inventory, and Margin ControlI lead strategic beverage purchasing across the company.I evaluate quality, cost, availability, volume opportunities, vendor relationships, and concept fit when making purchasing decisions.I work directly with the Profitability Manager to ensure purchasing, pricing, and inventory decisions support budget and margin goals.I oversee beverage inventory, ordering, receiving, storage, rotation, and par levels.I monitor recipe cost, pour cost, waste, comps, breakage, inventory variance, and product usage.I investigate variances and take corrective action when performance moves away from expectations.I maintain productive relationships with distributors, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and other beverage partners. Beverage Training and DevelopmentI lead beverage training across Elk Ave Hospitality.I create, maintain, and continuously improve training programs for bartenders, servers, managers, and other guest-facing employees.I develop beverage guides, recipe standards, wine and spirits education, service standards, quizzes, testing, and reference materials.I build structured onboarding and ongoing education programs.I train teams on wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, responsible alcohol service, product knowledge, and beverage sales.I identify knowledge gaps and create targeted development plans.I evaluate training effectiveness through observation, testing, execution, sales performance, and guest feedback. Quality Control and Beverage StandardsI own beverage quality control across Elk Ave Hospitality.I regularly evaluate cocktails, wine service, draft systems, beer presentation, spirit pours, non-alcoholic beverages, and overall bar execution.I conduct tastings and quality reviews across concepts.I ensure recipes, portioning, presentation, glassware, garnishes, temperatures, cleanliness, and service standards are executed consistently.I identify quality gaps and work directly with venue leadership and employees to correct them.I monitor product freshness, storage, rotation, and equipment condition.I use guest feedback, sales data, observation, and team performance to continually improve quality. Event Beverage Programs and PackagesI own the development and management of event beverage packages across Elk Ave Hospitality.I work directly with the Events Department to create packages for weddings, private dinners, corporate events, large-format events, and special functions.I build packages that balance guest experience, product quality, service capability, sales opportunity, and margin expectations.I establish package pricing, product selection, consumption assumptions, service standards, and upgrade opportunities.I review BEOs, guest counts, timelines, bar locations, staffing plans, glassware, equipment, ice, and product requirements.I determine beverage pars and purchasing needs for each event.I coordinate with the Events Department, Banquet Captains, venue leadership, and vendors to ensure event bars are properly stocked and ready for execution.I develop wine selections, specialty cocktails, welcome beverages, pairings, and other revenue-driving enhancements.I work with the Profitability Manager to evaluate event beverage cost, sales, consumption, and margin.I review actual event performance and adjust future packages, pricing, products, or pars as needed. Bar Logistics and Multi-Concept OversightI maintain regular presence across the concepts I support.I evaluate bar readiness, cleanliness, speed, organization, staffing, product knowledge, and service execution.I oversee bar logistics including layouts, service flow, equipment, storage, glassware, product placement, and par levels.I identify operational barriers and create solutions that improve speed, cleanliness, organization, and execution.I provide direct leadership support during busy periods, transitions, events, and staffing challenges.I ensure beverage teams understand both company-wide standards and concept-specific expectations. Sommelier Development and Continued LearningI am willing and expected to pursue sommelier certification as part of my professional development.I maintain an active learning plan around wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, beverage trends, purchasing, sales, and profitability.I bring new knowledge back to the organization through training, tastings, menu development, and team education.I view beverage education as an ongoing responsibility of my role. Responsible Alcohol Service and ComplianceI ensure responsible alcohol service standards are understood and followed throughout the company.I lead and reinforce training around ID verification, intoxication awareness, and alcohol-service policies.I ensure beverage operations comply with applicable liquor laws, licensing requirements, and company procedures.I partner with venue leadership to address compliance concerns promptly and consistently. Shared Services, Reporting, and CommunicationAs a member of Shared Services, I support beverage performance across all concepts.I work directly with the Profitability Manager on sales, margins, inventory, purchasing, pricing, and financial performance.I provide accurate beverage reporting needed to support decision-making.I communicate priorities, opportunities, and concerns clearly to the Director of Operations, Profitability Manager, and venue teams.I participate in Shared Services, leadership, financial, operational, and beverage meetings as required.I ensure action items are documented, assigned, and followed through to completion. QualificationsSignificant beverage or hospitality leadership experience requiredBeverage Manager, Bar Manager, Multi-Unit Beverage Manager, or comparable experience strongly preferredStrong knowledge of cocktails, spirits, wine, beer, and beverage serviceDemonstrated success developing bartenders and beverage teamsStrong understanding of beverage sales, strategic purchasing, inventory, pour cost, pricing, and margin managementDemonstrated ability to create and maintain training programs and materialsStrong quality-control instincts and the ability to identify and correct execution gapsExcellent communication and organizational skillsStrong problem-solving ability and confidence making decisions in real timeAbility to balance creative beverage development with financial and operational disciplineAbility to lead effectively across multiple concepts and teamsWillingness to pursue sommelier certification and continued professional educationAbility to maintain professionalism and standards during high-volume periods Preferred Skills and ExperienceMulti-unit or multi-concept beverage leadership experienceExperience setting and managing beverage menus and recipesExperience developing and managing wine programsExperience creating and managing event beverage packagesExperience creating training guides, testing, onboarding materials, and ongoing education programsExperience with elevated dining, high-volume bars, casual concepts, and eventsStrong understanding of beverage sales strategy and margin managementExperience with strategic purchasing and vendor negotiationsExperience with restaurant inventory systems and ordering processesFamiliarity with Craftable or similar inventory management softwareProficiency with Toast POS or similar point-of-sale systemsComfort with spreadsheets, reporting tools, scheduling, and Microsoft OfficeExperience with recipe costing and beverage menu developmentStrong financial awareness, including beverage cost, sales mix,