FOOD & BEVERAGE OPERATIONS MANAGER| The Whit | New Orleans
Welcome to The Whit.
We're opening the doors to something extraordinary, and we're looking for the people who will help define it.
The Whit is an intimate luxury hotel housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion in the heart of New Orleans. With just 15 guest rooms, a bar, cocktail salon, library, and a refined food and beverage program featuring elevated small plates, exceptional wines, handcrafted cocktails, and luxury touches like caviar service, The Whit is designed to feel less like a hotel and more like the home of an extraordinary host.
We're creating a place where locals become regulars, travelers discover something unforgettable, and every guest leaves feeling they were part of something special.
From hiring and developing the team to creating service standards, shaping the guest journey, and establishing the culture that defines The Whit, you'll play a vital role in bringing this vision to life from day one.
If you're passionate about hospitality, inspired by thoughtful food and beverage, and energized by the opportunity to build something from the ground up, we'd love to meet you.
What You'll Do:
As the Founding Food & Beverage Operations Manager, you'll be responsible for creating memorable guest experiences while leading the day-to-day operation of our food and beverage program.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading daily food and beverage operations with a hands-on presence on the floor.
- Building, hiring, training, and developing an exceptional service team.
- Creating a culture rooted in genuine hospitality and personalized guest experiences.
- Training servers, bartenders, hosts, and support staff while setting the standard through your own leadership.
- Managing scheduling, labor, productivity, inventory, and cost of sales.
- Overseeing beverage inventory, ordering, and operational controls.
- Partnering with culinary leadership to deliver a seamless dining experience.
- Engaging with guests through table touches, service recovery, and relationship building.
- Establishing and refining operating procedures and service standards that will become the foundation of The Whit's food and beverage program.
- Collaborate with the Events and Hotel Operations teams to curate unforgettable celebrations and ensure every guest experiences exceptional hospitality at every touchpoint.
- Continuously looking for ways to elevate the guest experience while improving operational efficiency.
Who You Are:
You're someone who believes hospitality is more than service, its creating moments people remember.
You thrive on the floor, enjoy mentoring others, and take pride in creating an atmosphere where both guests and team members feel welcomed.
You're equally comfortable discussing wine, cocktails, and refined cuisine as you are coaching a server, solving an operational challenge, or jumping in wherever needed.
Most importantly, you're excited by the opportunity to help build something exceptional from the very beginning.
Qualifications:
- Five or more years in a leadership role in luxury hotels, boutique hotels, upscale restaurants, or polished dining concepts.
- Strong knowledge of cocktails, wine, and elevated food service.
- Proven experience hiring, training, and developing successful teams.
- Hands-on operational leadership with excellent organizational skills.
- Passion for delivering memorable guest experiences.
- Strong understanding of labor management, scheduling, inventory, and cost controls.
Compensation & Benefits:
- $65,000–$80,000 annual salary
- Performance bonus of up to 20% of base salary based on KPI achievement
- Health and supplemental insurance
- Paid Time Off
- 401(k) with company match
