Freelance Food and Beverage Operations Manager

Freelance Food and Beverage Operations Manager

TAIT partners with artists, brands, IP holders, and place makers to bring culture-defining, never-before-seen experiences to life. With a legacy of innovation spanning over 45 years, TAIT has grown from pioneering in rock ‘n’ roll concert staging to setting the global standard for extraordinary live events and experiences through cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and creative design. TAIT’s 20 global offices have developed iconic productions and experiences in over 30 countries, all seven continents, and even outer space for renowned performers, theme parks, exhibits, and venues across the globe, including partnerships with Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, Royal Opera House, Nike, NASA, Bloomberg, Google, Beyoncé, and The Olympics.

Position Purpose

We are looking to add great Freelance Food and Beverage (F&B Managers) Operations U.S. Based onto our roster. By applying here you will be considered for upcoming short & long term contracts with TAIT. This application is not for full-time employment.

The Freelance F&B Operations Manager is responsible for the end-to-end planning, coordination, and delivery of food and beverage operations across events, festivals, corporate functions, hospitality activations, and VIP experiences. Projects could include large-scale activations (festivals, sporting events, mega-events), the role may include managing multiple concessions, crew catering (5,000–20,000 guests), VIP hospitality, and temporary infrastructure builds. On-site time expectations are generally of the 2 to 4 week range per event.

Responsibilities

FOH Concessions Operations

• Manage multi-unit concession and bar environments across event sites.
• Define service models including concessions, retail, bars, and quick service formats.
• Oversee concession layouts, guest flow, and throughput efficiency.
• Monitor KPIs including speed of service, spend per head, and revenue pacing.
• Ensure alcohol licensing compliance and responsible beverage service standards.

VIP Hospitality Operations

• Lead execution of premium hospitality lounges.
• Oversee elevated service delivery and presentation standards.
• Coordinate bespoke menu offerings aligned with brand and client expectations.
• Manage VIP staffing structures and service training standards.

BOH & Culinary Operations

• Oversee temporary kitchen builds and production workflows.
• Review menus, pricing models, and vendor production capabilities.
• Align operational asset requirements (kitchens, chillers, generators, POS) with site infrastructure.
• Enforce food safety compliance including HACCP, CCP monitoring, and allergen control.
• Standardize portion control and production consistency.

Crew Catering Operations

• Manage crew catering programs aligned with production schedules.
• Implement and monitor RFID or meal tracking systems where applicable.
• Coordinate feeding logistics, volume forecasting, and waste control.
• Maintain food safety and operational efficiency standards.

Commercial, Logistics & Revenue Management

• Manage F&B budgets, cost controls, and margin performance.
• Coordinate vendor contracts, SLAs, and supplier logistics.
• Oversee POS configuration, reporting, and daily sales reconciliation.
• Monitor stock control, inventory accuracy, and cash handling procedures.
• Deliver post-event financial and operational performance reporting.

Position Requirements

• Have excellent interpersonal & communication skills, both verbal & written.
• Bachelor's degree and/or a minimum of 8+ years of large scale, high volume national or international live event, entertainment, live theater, arena or similar food and beverage management experience.
• Computer skills: Macintosh OS or Window platform using Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, Excel, and Powerpoint
• Strong knowledge of food and beverage principles, health and safety, and staff management.
• Available across multiple time zones and ability to work irregular hours as travel is always changing.
• Play a key role in communications with all stakeholders and all departments.
• Strong project management and budget experience.
• Guarantee communication paths are frequent and open.
• Ensure that all work conforms to pre-established specifications & standards of TAIT.
• Take initiative, multi-task, and work positively in a fast-paced environment.
• Work with discretion, diplomacy, confidentiality, and tact in high-pressure settings.
• Demonstrate a sense of urgency & act responsively.
• Work independently as well as within a team environment.
• Supremely organized, detail-oriented, and thorough.

TAIT is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran or any other protected characteristic as outlined by international, national, state, or local laws.

Key skills/competency

• Food and Beverage Operations Management
• Event Management
• Hospitality Management
• Budget Management
• Vendor Management
• Food Safety Compliance
• Staff Management
• Project Management
• Customer Service
• Live Events