Director of Food & Beverage (Napa)

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.

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 resorts 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.

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.