Beverage Manager

The Beverage Manager will be responsible for the inventory and ordering or all beverages for the hotel and restaurant. The Beverage Manager will establish and maintain vendor relationships, conduct training for team members, update wine- and cocktail menus and keep our beverage program in line with the rest of the style of our hotel and restaurant.

He/She will work some regular Restaurant Floor Manager shifts and provides leadership and coordinates all activities on the dining room floor and the restaurant/lobby bar during the daily shifts. The Beverage Manager will interact with restaurant guests, team members and other departments, always ensuring that every guest will have an memorable dining or bar experience.

Included in the job duties are:

• Serves as purchasing agent for all Beer, Liquor, and Wine for all F&B outlets at The James.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with beverage vendors and distributors.
• Conducts and participates in tastings and selections.
• Negotiates best beverage expenses with vendors on an on-going basis.
• Purchases and transfers Beer, Liquor and Wine for all outlets.
• Conducts inventories as per company standards.
• Maintains and assists with development of new wine lists and cocktail menus.
• Works closely with the Sommelier.
• Trains and coaches team members.
• Creates and implements programs to create new business.
• Upholds and monitors all brand standards in the F&B operation.
• Manages and supports breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner shifts.
• Focuses on floor services standards and guest relations.
• Focuses on daily closing of the restaurant and the lobby bar.
• Conducts daily pre-shift meetings and monthly department meetings.
• Communicates effectively with guests, team members and other departments.
• Assists in maintaining budgets and forecasts regarding sales, food, liquor, operating items and payroll.

The James Hotel is ideally situated downtown Chicago, just steps away from Michigan Avenue, in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. Our service is low pretense and high style. We throw out the stuffy status symbols of old world hotels in favor of something authentic; warm modernism, and our commitment to inviting functional design. In the realm of hospitality, The James defines Luxury liberated from tradition.

David Burke's Primehouse, located on Rush Street, is a modern interpretation of the classic American Steakhouse, offering enticing menus for Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch and Dinner.

The ideal candidate will have at least two years of current Food and Beverage Management experience in a fine dining and high pace environment. Must have restaurant floor supervisory experience and bar supervisory experience.
Must have previous purchasing and inventory experience.

Certification as wine professional or sommelier is a plus.

Must have advanced knowledge in spirits, wines and general beverage service.

Must have strong positive leadership skills and the ability to motivate people to deliver memorable service.

Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and possesses current computer literacy, including a restaurant reservation system and POS system. Micros experience is a plus.

Is able to meet deadlines, work under pressure, handle multiple tasks and work independently.

Some experience in hiring, training and developing service oriented staff for all positions in the restaurant is preferred.

Must be able to work flexible long hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Previous hotel work experience is a plus.