Proof of the Pudding is a chef-led hospitality company delivering food and beverage experiences at some of North America’s most complex sports, entertainment, cultural, and live-event venues.
Founded in Atlanta in 1979, Proof has built a national reputation for doing hospitality differently — from-scratch cooking at scale, hyper-local sourcing, and a partnership-first approach that treats clients as collaborators, not contracts. The company serves professional and collegiate sports venues, convention centers, cultural institutions, and large-scale destination events across the United States and Internationally.
Job Description
We are seeking a General Manager for Mississippi State University (MSU) located in Starkville, MS to oversee the premium operations of Davis Wade Stadium (Football), Dudy Noble Field (Baseball), Humphrey Coliseum (Basketball), and other live entertainment events throughout the year. Additional responsibilities include managing the client relationship and being the point person for the leadership of all managers and employees covering premium operations.
Mississippi State University is a large campus in the heart of Mississippi where the Bulldogs reign supreme. Football games bring in 65,000 adoring fans while baseball games bring in 16,000 fans to cheer on their College World Series Champs.
Responsibilities:
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Overseeing and effectively managing all day-to-day duties to ensure that each event is executed flawlessly from start to finish.
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Football
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Premium - 5,000 guests per game, 72 luxury suites, 6 premium clubs and gameday catering
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Baseball
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Premium - 1,500 guests per game, 25 suites, 3 unique club spaces
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Basketball
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Premium – 580 club seats, 80 loge and 160 terrace seats on the concourse level.
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Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball events
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Special Events
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Catering
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Oversee the planning, execution, and financial performance of all non-game day catering operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, service standards, and client satisfaction.
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Maintains a safe, secure, and healthy environment by establishing, following, and enforcing sanitation standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations; securing revenues; and maintaining security systems.
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Responsible for communication between Proof of the Pudding and the client. Serves as the first point of contact for all sales inquiries from the client. Responsible for nurturing this relationship.
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Meets venue financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
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Communicating financial statements, Reports, and other requested documents to provide Proof of the Pudding Corporate.
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Managing existing and developing leadership teams, encouraging growth and mentorship with all managers and hourly staff
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Organizing frequent meetings and open lines of communication with sales, operations, concessions, and culinary team in preparation for each event.
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Responsible for setting the precedence that all staff will follow including but not limited to uniform expectations, customer service policies, uniformity in buffet aesthetics and creating a positive and productive workplace culture
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Responsible for oversight of all product ordering and logistics.
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Managing the team that is scheduled to run each event. Leading by example and developing employees to reach their full potential.
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Attending and executing each event to ensure that it runs smoothly from the set-up to the break-down.
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Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments
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Performs other related duties as needed
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, food and beverage management or a related field, and/or appropriate combination of education and experience to support on the job effectiveness.
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4+ years of Food & Beverage Leadership experience, with at least 2 years in a live entertainment or high-volume catering setting
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Demonstrated financial acumen with proven track record for generating revenue growth.
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Strong people skills with a kind demeanor.
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Solid and proven track record for sales and leadership success.
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Tech savvy, with high proficiency in all Microsoft Office programs
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Experience with BEO software, Caterease, is preferred
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Must live near or be willing to relocate to Starkville, MS.
Specialized Qualifications:
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Excellent listening and communication skills
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Renowned time management skills
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Strong Customer Service skills with the desire to go above and beyond a client’s needs
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The ability to work alone and as a team
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Strong attention to details with the ability to organize and articulate a high volume of information
Work Environment
This position includes a combination of office responsibilities and event operations. Office work entails computer usage, interdepartmental meetings and communications via email, phone, and in person, and sorting and filing paperwork. Events may be in an indoor or outdoor setting with movement between temporary structures, buildings, and different terrains.
Physical Demands:
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Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
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This position may have periods of standing, moving through an event space, and traveling from venue to venue with bending, lifting, scooping, and carrying miscellaneous equipment and food items
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Ability to perform physical tasks; such as but not limited to, lifting approx. 25 lbs.
CORE VALUE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
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Business Acumen - Demonstrate comprehension of the job, including policies, practices, and relationships. Possess the expertise and skill levels required of the job and perform with quality.
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Dedication - Dependable, reliable and follows through on projects from inception to completion. Willing to put in as much time as necessary to complete tasks. Demonstrate a win-win attitude: “see it, own it, solve it.”
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Ethics and Integrity - Acts with integrity, honesty and knowledge that promote the company’s culture, values and beliefs while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
- Safety & Security - Observe safety and security standards. Use equipment and materials properly. Comply with safety standards and personal protective equipment requirements. Report potential unsafe conditions or practices to appropriate person immediately. Promote restaurant safety, cleanliness and security compliance at all times.
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Teamwork - Cooperate and be willing to work as a team player to achieve goals and tasks accurately, efficiently and timely.
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Communication - Communicate clearly and effectively with mutual respect, understanding and trust to fellow associates, managers, supervisors and guests. Listen carefully to opinions and views of others; state understanding of what has been heard.
- Initiative - Contribute new ideas and suggestions to enhance productivity and efficiency. Be proactive in troubleshooting problems or issues and take action to mitigate potential problems.
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Adaptability & Planning - Possess the ability to learn new tasks and adjusts well to new situations. Perform well under tight time schedules and pressures to change direction quickly.
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Service Orientation - Demonstrates a sense of urgency. Is welcoming, friendly and smiles when visible to guests.
Position Salary & Benefits:
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This is considered a full-time salary position.
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Proof is pleased to provide all full-time eligible employees with Basic Life and AD&D as well as long-term disability at no cost to employees
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Full-time eligible employees may choose to enroll in optional benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Voluntary Life and AD&D, Short Term Disability, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Critical Illness, and Voluntary Hospitality Indemnity
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Additional benefits include daily lunches onsite and a cell phone stipend
Proof of the Pudding and its affiliates are Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.
