Food & Beverage Team Leader

Build your career at Sazerac! With almost 400 years of rich history Sazerac Company has thrived as an independent American family-owned company with operations in the United States and around the world. Since the 2000s Sazerac has averaged double digit growth every year! Sazerac Company produces and markets the most award-winning bourbons and whiskeys in the world including Buffalo Trace Pappy Van Winkle Eagle Rare Blantons Traveller and Sazerac Rye. Additionally Sazerac owns many popular brands across a range of spirits including Fireball Svedka Wheatley BuzzBallz Southern Comfort Seagrams V.O. Myerss Goldschläger Parrot Bay 99 Brand and Platinum Vodka.

Were proud of our award-winning culture and distilleries. Our Louisville office has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky four times and our Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned the title of worlds most award-winning distillery through the dedication of our craftsmen for well over 200 years. Whether youre a recent graduate or an experienced professional Sazerac provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting entrepreneurial industry.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a family-owned company based in Franklin County Kentucky whose rich distilling tradition dates back to 1787. Buffalo Trace is a fully operational distillery producing bourbon rye and vodka on site and is listed on the National Historic Register. Buffalo Trace has been awarded seven distillery titles since 2000 and has also garnered more than 150 awards for its premium whiskies.

The Visitor Center Team Leader Food & Beverage is responsible for supervising and facilitating all Food and Beverage Program activities that occur at Buffalo Trace Distillery. The leader is charged with making sure the Café is always aesthetically pleasing well stocked and show ready. This leader strives to create a positive and fun experience for all visitors and team members at Buffalo Trace.

• Use PDS as a tool to monitor performance and evaluate own skills. Participate in PDS discussions with supervisor to prepare for future growth within the company. Identify key team members for potential growth and work with them on skill development.
• Always model excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders. Develop and reinforce customer service standards and training. Monitor interactions between Food and Beverage staff and key stakeholders to offer both recognition and accountability where appropriate. Address concerns (in person online and through comment cards) from customers and staff in a timely manner and provide Manager recommendations. Address any concerns with specific staff as dictated by department policy and HR.
• Focus visitor interactions on priority brands for Buffalo Trace Distillery and make each interaction with visitors a springboard to become raving fans of these products. Use quality Food and Beverage experiences to reinforce brands during consumer events
• Improve Café selection and work on inventory cost reductions. Responsible for maintaining the appropriate inventory of all non-alcohol related merchandise based on current and forecasted demand. Research and recommend new items for the Café which fits consumer demand and the BTD brand. Manage positive vendor relationships. Ensure the Café is stocked and aesthetically pleasing. Employ merchandizing techniques and train staff to increase per person expenditure year over year.
• Oversee Café area daily tasks and provide directions to staff. Spend majority of time providing visible leadership on the floor. Opens and closes the Café when scheduled. Develop and performs opening duty checklist. Conduct morning walk around and efficient closing duties. Maintain effective communication with staff to provide excellent customer service and visitor experience. Monitor staffing levels and redirect as necessary. Observe customer and staff interactions - address or elevate issues in the moment. Collaborate with Safety to develop and implement an Emergency Response Program. Foster a team environment.
• Grow sales volume manage and optimize the cost of goods and overheads - while delivering the highest quality products. Monitor daily cash handling inventory control and register transactions. Demonstrate and reinforce persuasive selling techniques with Gift Shop staff. Take the lead on problem-solving for unusual or special situations in the absence of the Manager.
• Ensure repeat visitors through excellent customer service and unique and enriching experiences. Contribute quarterly marketing reports analyze visitor data and make recommendations for improvements. Participate in the annual marketing plan of work brainstorming and make recommendations to increase visitation. Participate in social media team and remain up to date on trends and technology to increase online engagement.
• Ensure repeat visitors through excellent customer service and unique and enriching experiences. Contribute to quarterly marketing reports analyze visitor data and make recommendations for improvements. Participate in the annual marketing plan of work brainstorming and make recommendations to increase visitation. Participate in social media team and remain up to date on trends and technology in order to increase online engagement.
• Utilizing approved formulas support Manager in the hiring process for Food and Beverage staff. Develop timelines for staff hiring and manage the process including job posting reviewing resumes and recommendations for hiring. Maintain proper staffing levels throughout the year to ensure adequate coverage based on forecasts. Analyze visitor data and trends and adjust the plan accordingly. Onboard train and coach Food and Beverage Staff..
• Reinforce ongoing responsibilities priorities and tasks of Visitor Center positions with staff. As needed assign daily tasks; ensure appropriate breaks and balance of workload. Assist with offsite events and miscellaneous requests such as donation gift baskets

MUST

• Ability and willingness to work non-traditional hours (nights/weekends)
• Excellent oral & written communication skills
• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a team as well as self-directed
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Bachelors Degree
• Ability to project a professional image
• Ability to communicate with all levels of an org
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at one time
• Experience working in the food and beverage industry
• Serv safe food management certificate

PREFERRED

• Working knowledge of MS Office Products (Word Excel and Outlook)
• 3 years Supervisory experience
• 1 year Experience consulting managing and setting up VIP Guest Visits

Physical Requirements

• Ability to pick up and/or move objects up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Ability to work 8 hour shift
• In-person job attendance
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to read and write
• Ability to pay attention to detail
• Noise level at work station is moderate (business office with computer printers)