Hospitality Manager

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role

The Varda Hospitality Team serves all employees, customers, government partners, potential clients and/or visitors with everything from snacks to daily meals to full-service events. The Hospitality Manager will oversee the organization’s food and beverage offerings as well as customer service operations. This role includes developing and implementing effective customer service strategies and training programs across a multi-outlet environment. Key responsibilities of the Hospitality Manager include coordinating service operations for catering services, site safety and sanitation. Additionally, the Hospitality Manager will monitor and motivate staff, ensure excellent customer service, engage with customers, and facilitate cross-site communication. This position involves hiring and developing talent, ensuring that the team is up to date with all mandatory company training, managing scheduling and payroll, and overseeing the interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new staff. The Hospitality Manager supports Varda’s mission by managing hospitality functions and ensuring delivery of quality food/beverage options across all operations. This creates exemplary, professional and welcoming service environments that enhance productivity and morale.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and drive standards for hospitality operations and guest interactions

• Lead the development and execution of new services, offerings, and training programs

• Direct and optimize day-to-day operations of food and beverage outlets/catering locations

• Build and lead a high-performing team by managing direct reports, including strategic hiring, performance management, talent development, succession planning, and fostering a culture of accountability and growth

• Collaborate with organizing and coordinating events, including large onsite/offsite gatherings and catering requests

• Champion and enforce rigorous food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards, ensuring full regulatory compliance and cultivating a proactive safety culture across all locations.

• Support development and implementation of systems and processes that optimize team productivity, time management, and resource allocation across the department.

• Support comprehensive training programs focused on customer service, menu knowledge, allergens, and nutritional awareness; create scalable training materials and measure their impact on performance.

• Own product quality, consistency, and inventory management across all outlets by establishing robust quality control systems, monitoring key metrics, reducing waste, and driving continuous improvement in service and menu execution.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate

• 5+ years of food service industry experience and 3+ years of leadership experience

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of leadership experience within the food service industry

• Experience opening new operations and/or creating operations procedures from the ground up

• Complete understanding of managing a team in casual and quick service restaurants

• Advanced interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

• Advanced time management skills

• Advanced understanding of food safety and sanitation practices

• Advanced knowledge of food service systems, ordering and inventory

• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office

• Proficient knowledge with allergen identification and dietary restrictions

• Proficient knowledge of beverage service including coffee, beer, wine and spirits

• Showcases high level of professionalism

• Experience in a corporate environment

• Proficient knowledge of HR best practices

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to carry large, heavy items unassisted (up to 25lbs)

• Must have the ability to stand for long periods – up to 8-12 hours a day

• Able to perform frequent bending, stooping, and lifting of objects through entire shift

• Must be able to work all shifts and available for overtime, weekends and holiday(s) as needed

• Must participate in internal leadership and development training

• Adaptability, problem-solving skills, and extreme attention to detail

• Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively, including but not limited to training of incoming team members

• Ability to work gracefully under pressure

• Must have or obtain Servesafe Food Manager Certification (training provided internally as needed)

Pay Range

• Salary range: 100k-135k
• This role is on-sitein El Segundo, CA
• Leveling and base salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance. You will be eligible for incentives in the form of stock options and/or long-term cash awards

Benefits

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns.

Regular Full-Time Positions:

Health & Wellness

• Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options

• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance

• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses

• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)

• Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic

• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents

Financial & Retirement

• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up

• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested)

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement

• Relocation support for new hires, if needed

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly

• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations

• Complimentary EV charging

Benefits for Internship Positions:

Health & Wellness

• Paid observed holidays.

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.

• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.

• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.

Financial

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.

• Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible

• Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.

Workplace Experience & Perks

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly

• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations

• Complimentary EV charging

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice

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Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.