Director of Food & Beverage

Director of Food & Beverage – The Meritage Resort

Location: Napa, California Reports to: General Manager Status: Full-Time | Executive Leadership Team

Salary Range: $160-170k

Position Summary

The Meritage Resort, an iconic Napa Valley destination known for its luxury accommodations and world-class hospitality, is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Food & Beverage to lead and elevate our diverse and high-performing F&B operation.

This role oversees a robust portfolio including 2 full-service restaurants, 2 cafes, 2 bars, a mobile food truck program, high-volume banquets & catering, and an on-premise concert series. The Director will lead both front-of-house and culinary teams, developing strategic initiatives to drive revenue, enhance guest experiences, tightly control costs, and foster an exceptional team culture.

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Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

· Develop and execute a comprehensive F&B strategy aligned with resort positioning and revenue goals.

· Continuously identify opportunities for innovation in menus, concepts, and experiences across all F&B outlets.

· Partner with Marketing to maximize exposure and attendance at concerts, culinary events, and food truck activations.

Operational Oversight

· Direct the daily operations of all F&B venues including fine dining, casual outlets, bars, mobile units, and catering.

· Maintain excellence in service delivery, food quality, safety standards, and brand consistency across every outlet.

· Implement systems to ensure efficient workflows, labor optimization, and product consistency across all service models.

Financial Performance

· Develop and manage departmental budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting.

· Monitor and control labor costs, food & beverage cost of goods sold, and overall department profitability.

· Evaluate vendor contracts and procurement strategies to maximize quality while minimizing expense.

Team Leadership & Development

· Lead a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team of FOH and culinary professionals.

· Mentor and develop department leaders through coaching, performance reviews, and growth plans.

· Foster a high-performance culture of accountability, creativity, and collaboration.

Guest Experience & Brand Stewardship

· Serve as the brand ambassador for all F&B outlets and guest-facing experiences.

· Champion a service culture rooted in hospitality excellence and local Napa Valley sensibility.

· Partner cross-functionally with Rooms, Spa, Sales, and Events to ensure a unified guest experience.

Concert Series & Special Events

· Collaborate with event producers and the resort’s marketing team to enhance the on-premise concert series.

· Oversee food and beverage strategy, staffing, and execution for public and private events tied to the concert series.

· Ensure F&B activations at events enhance revenue while preserving guest satisfaction and safety.

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Qualifications

· Minimum 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in food & beverage management, preferably in luxury hotels or destination resorts.

· Demonstrated success in managing high-volume outlets, large banquet operations, and multiple revenue streams.

· Proven ability to lead culinary and FOH teams through operational excellence and strategic direction.

· Financial acumen with a strong command of budgeting, forecasting, and labor/product cost management.

· Experience working with entertainment-driven activations or large-scale special events is highly desirable.

· Passion for guest experience, team development, and sustainable business practices.

· Degree in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, or Business preferred.