Vice President of Food & Beverage

Job Type

Full-time

Description

WHO WE ARE

We are a restaurant group that thrives on creating authentic and inspiring experiences for the communities we serve. Through the contributions of countless incredible people, past and present, we're headed to the moon with a simple mission - to make people feel good. While no one on the team is quite like the other, it's our common values that keep us united.

• Be Authentic and Humble
• Act with Integrity
• Bring Good Energy
• Achieve as a Team
• Get Extraordinary Results
• Inspire with Hospitality

ABOUT THE VICE PRESIDENT OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE

The Vice President of Food & Beverage (VP of F&B) is a key executive leader responsible for the strategic vision, innovation, execution, and performance of all food and beverage operations across 50 upscale casual WineCafe locations. This role blends culinary creativity with business acumen to elevate the guest experience, drive profitability, and uphold the brand's standards of excellence in food, wine, and hospitality.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL YOU MUST

• Lead the creation, development, and evolution of all food and beverage programs including menu design, culinary innovation, wine curation, and beverage strategy.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, and Operations to ensure consistent brand execution and profitable offerings across all locations.
• Establish and monitor quality assurance, recipe compliance, and food safety protocols in alignment with brand standards and health regulations.
• Manage vendor and supplier partnerships, contract negotiations, and inventory strategy to ensure cost control and high-quality product sourcing.
• Partner with Regional and General Managers to identify and execute location-specific initiatives that support top-line growth and guest satisfaction.
• Spearhead training and development programs to grow kitchen leadership, elevate wine knowledge, and support culinary excellence across the system.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to continuously improve menu performance, optimize kitchen operations, and respond to guest feedback and market trends.
• Serve as a thought leader and brand ambassador for culinary innovation, F&B culture, and guest engagement.
• Guide new restaurant openings, ensuring seamless execution and alignment with F&B strategy and operational readiness

WHY YOU'LL LOVE UPWARD PROJECTS

• Excellent benefit and compensation package
• Paid time off and earned paid sick time
• Fitness discount programs
• 401K with company match
• A people focused culture united by our shared values
• Unlimited growth opportunities, with several new restaurant openings
• Having a voice. We provide empowerment and influence to all our team members
• Opportunity to build deep, meaningful, and lasting relationships with colleagues
• Recognition and rewards for your hard work and tenure
• Generous meal benefit program

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in food & beverage leadership roles.
• Proven experience in multi-unit restaurant operations, preferably in full-service or upscale casual dining.
• Strong background in culinary innovation, beverage, procurement, and menu development.
• Track record of managing P&L, food cost control, and labor efficiency at scale.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams, including Culinary, Beverage, Procurement, and Training.