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Cafe Food and Beverage Manager
Job Location:
Job Location:
Blue Springs, MO - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 50000 - 60000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
29 September 2026 (4 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
27 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
About Us
As Kansas Citys Botanical Garden Powell Gardens plays a vital role in the community as a space for release rejuvenation and the celebration of the fleeting nature of nature itself. Visitors enjoy themed display gardens nature trails seasonal festivals rotating exhibitions and exceptional architecture. Established in 1988 Powell Gardens is a public garden maintaining over 700 acres of lush rolling hills and windswept meadows with more than 175 acres and a large collection of plants open to the public for education exploration and recreation. With the addition of our second location Colonial Farms we offer a new way to advance our mission of education community engagement and spreading our love for plants.
We at Powell believe that our team members are our most important asset. By building strong relationships with each other we can ensure that our guests have the best possible experience. We are looking for someone passionate to help us connect with our visitors by offering great service and delicious food and beverages. If this sounds like you we would love to speak with you!
Summary
The Food & Beverage Manager leads and oversees all food and beverage operations in support of the nonprofits mission programs guest experience and earned revenue goals. This position is responsible for planning ordering inventory management food preparation oversight and execution of food and beverage services across all on-site events and daily marketplace operations. This role is also unique given the garden/farm setting which allows use of onsite grown produce local sourcing of products and development of seasonal menus.
The role manages a wide range of service models including concessions grab-and-go retail boxed meals buffets plated service receptions and seated dining events. The Food & Beverage Manager supervises staff coordinates event execution ensures quality and safety standards controls costs and delivers exceptional hospitality experiences for visitors members donors and event guests across multiple locations.
This position understands and complies with the Missouri State and Jackson/Johnson County laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol at a non-profit level. This position maintains a professional respectful relationship with vendors and suppliers and upholds a high level of communication to elevate their experiences and that of Powell Gardens internal and external clients.
Essential Functions:
Food & Beverage Operations Management:
- Oversee all food and beverage operations for on-site events programs rentals and marketplace offerings. Planning and managing food service execution for:
- Coffee and Specialty Drink Service.
- Concession-style service.
- Grab-and-go marketplace offerings.
- Boxed lunches and picnic offerings.
- In house catering opportunities such as buffets and reception-style service.
- Table service and plated meals.
- Develop and maintain service standards to ensure quality consistency and exceptional guest experiences.
- Oversee food preparation presentation portioning and service delivery.
- Support menu planning and seasonal offerings aligned with guest demand and organizational goals.
Ordering Inventory & Cost Control:
- Manage purchasing and ordering of food beverages supplies and disposables for café.
- Manager purchasing ordering stocking of Retail Market with beverages and alcohol offerings.
- Maintain inventory systems and controls to ensure product availability while minimizing waste and shrink by utilizing best practices and onsite grown produce and preservation methods such as cider processing jam and jelly making holiday pie offerings etc.
- Monitor food and beverage costs margins and budgets.
- Track usage trends and forecast product needs based on event calendars and marketplace demand.
- Establish par levels and inventory procedures.
- Build and manage vendor relationships; negotiate pricing and monitor product quality.
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit procurement practices and budget expectations.
Execution & Hospitality Leadership:
- Partner with internal teams to plan and execute food and beverage components for public and private events donor functions educational programs and public programming.
- Lead onsite execution and troubleshoot operational needs during events.
- Ensure smooth coordination between kitchen/prep event staff and service teams.
- Deliver a high standard of hospitality for members donors visitors and guests.
Team Leadership & Staff Management:
- Supervise schedule train and develop food and beverage staff including part-time and seasonal team members.
- Lead staff in execution of food service operations and event support.
- Set performance expectations and provide coaching accountability and ongoing development.
- Assist with hiring onboarding and workforce planning.
- Foster a collaborative service-focused team culture.
Other Functions:
Compliance Safety & Quality Assurance:
- Ensure compliance with all food safety sanitation health department and licensing requirements.
- Maintain proper food handling procedures and certifications.
- Oversee cleanliness and organization of kitchen storage service areas and marketplace.
- Implement and maintain SOPs for safety quality and operational consistency.
- Monitor equipment use and coordinate maintenance needs.
Financial & Administrative Responsibilities:
- Support annual budget development for food and beverage operations in café and market.
- Manage departmental spending in alignment with approved budgets.
- Track revenue labor food costs and operational KPIs.
- Prepare reports related to sales performance inventory and event profitability.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency guest satisfaction and earned income.
Knowledge & Skills:
- Knowledge of food safety standards and applicable regulations.
- Catering and Special Event processes.
- POS and inventory software.
- Attention to detail with Problem-solving and adaptability.
- Financial acumen Operational planning and organization.
- Mission alignment and collaborative mindset.
- Guest experience focus.
Experience/Education:
Required:
- 35 years of progressive food and beverage management experience.
- Experience overseeing multiple service formats (retail concessions catering events dining service coffee service).
- Barista and Food Prep experience.
- Ordering inventory control budgeting and cost management.
- Prior staff supervision and team leadership.
- Knowledge of food safety standards and applicable regulations.
- Experience growing earned revenue through food and beverage programs.
- Manager ServSafe certification required.
- Liquor permit.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
- Work environment primarily within a café space involving interactions with customers staff and vendors.
- Must be able to lift 40lbs (team lifting as necessary); Ability to stand walk and move around the café and garden center for extended periods. Must be able to bend kneel and reach as needed for content creation and setup.
- Comfortable working outdoors in different weather conditions including sun rain and wind during events or promotional activities.
- Working during peak hours weekends holidays and outside regular business hours to support promotional events and marketing campaigns.
- Ability to adapt to varying indoor and outdoor conditions including exposure to weather elements when participating in outdoor events and promotions.
- Forty hours (40) a week with availability Monday through Sunday daytime evenings and holidays. Employee must be willing to work weekends and evenings during festivals special events and longer hours as projects and deadlines require.
- To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
- The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Salary: Range from $50000 to 60000 per year
Benefits:
- Medical/Dental/Vision.
- HRA HSA and FSA Plans.
- Supplemental Insurance Available.
- 403b Plan and Match.
- Employer Paid Life Insurance.
- Employer Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
- Generous PTO Plan.
- 11 Paid Holidays per year.
To Apply
Applicants interested in this position must submit the following to .
Cover letter addressing the following:
- Discuss your experience as it related to this role.
- Why are you interested in this role and why you would be a great fit.
Resume:
Three references: professional academic and/or personal.
Equal Employment Opportunity & Employment Disclaimer
Powell Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including pregnancy sexual orientation and gender identity) national origin age disability genetic information veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.
Powell Gardens is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. If you require an accommodation to complete an application participate in the interview process or perform the essential functions of the position please contact Human Resources.
The duties responsibilities and qualifications described in this job posting are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties or skills required. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time to meet organizational needs.
Employment with Powell Gardens is contingent upon successful completion of all applicable pre-employment requirements which may include reference checks background screening verification of work authorization and other job-related requirements as permitted by law.
This job posting does not constitute an employment contract or guarantee of employment. Employment with Powell Gardens is at-will meaning either the employee or Powell Gardens may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice or cause except as otherwise provided by applicable law.
Required Experience:
Manager
