Venue Beverage Manager - Venues

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.

The Beverage Manager is responsible for the overall management, organization, and operational performance of the beverage and bar programs across three Atlanta event venues. This position oversees beverage purchasing, inventory control, staffing, training, scheduling, equipment, compliance, and day-to-day bar operations to ensure each venue delivers consistent, efficient, and high-quality guest experience. This individual will also serve as a Venue Manager for events as needed, providing on-site operational leadership and ensuring events are executed safely, efficiently, and according to company standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all beverage and bar operations across the company's three event venues.
• Establish and maintain consistent bar operating procedures, standards, and expectations across all locations.
• Manage beverage purchasing and product ordering based on upcoming event needs, inventory levels, historical usage, and established budgets.
• Maintain appropriate par levels for beer, wine, spirits, mixers, non-alcoholic beverages, and bar supplies.
• Coordinate product deliveries and ensure all beverage products are received, stored, secured, and organized properly.
• Conduct accurate monthly beverage inventories at all three venues.
• Monitor product usage, waste, breakage, comps, and variances and identify opportunities to improve cost control.
• Maintain organized beverage storage areas, walk-in coolers, liquor storage, bars, and related workspaces (this includes prep pantry areas)
• Assist with developing and maintaining beverage menus, pricing.
• Work closely with the General Manager and event team to determine beverage requirements for individual events.
• Ensure bars are properly stocked, set up, staffed, and prepared prior to each event.
• Monitor beverage operations during events and address operational issues as they arise.
• Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard bar staff as needed.
• Develop and maintain a reliable pool of bartenders, barbacks, and other beverage staff.
• Create and maintain bar staff schedules based on event calendars, staffing requirements, and business needs.
• Train beverage staff on company policies, service standards, responsible alcohol service, POS procedures, product knowledge, and venue-specific expectations.
• Conduct ongoing coaching and performance management for beverage staff.
• Establish clear expectations regarding professionalism, appearance, attendance, guest service, cash handling, and responsible alcohol service.
• Work with event managers and other venue leadership to ensure adequate staffing levels for each event.
• Maintain oversight of all bar-related equipment and infrastructure at each venue.
• Ensure refrigerators, ice machines, draft systems, glassware, POS equipment, sinks, shelving, speed rails, coolers, and other bar equipment remain operational and properly maintained.
• Conduct regular inspections of bar areas and identify equipment, maintenance, or safety issues.
• Coordinate repairs and preventative maintenance with vendors, maintenance personnel, and venue leadership.
• Maintain an organized inventory of bar equipment, smallwares, glassware, and operational supplies.
• Identify opportunities to improve bar layouts, equipment, workflow, and efficiency.
• Ensure bar areas are clean, organized, safe, and event-ready.
• Maintain accurate beverage inventory records across all three venues.
• Conduct monthly physical inventories and reconcile inventory levels against purchasing and usage.
• Monitor beverage costs and identify discrepancies or unusual variances.
• Maintain appropriate purchasing controls and work within established budgets.
• Monitor product waste, spoilage, breakage, over-pouring, and unauthorized product usage.
• Assist management with beverage cost reporting and operational analysis.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, transfers, inventory, and other beverage-related activity.
• When assigned as Venue Manager, the Beverage Manager will:
• Serve as the primary on-site operational contact for assigned events.
• Coordinate with event planners, clients, caterers, vendors, security, entertainment, and internal staff as necessary.
• Conduct pre-event walkthroughs and ensure the venue is properly prepared.
• Oversee event setup, execution, and breakdown.
• Ensure staff are in position and performing their assigned responsibilities.
• Monitor guest experience and address operational issues promptly and professionally.
• Enforce venue policies, safety procedures, and operational standards.
• Coordinate with vendors and event partners throughout the event.
• Respond to emergencies or unexpected operational situations and escalate issues appropriately.
• Complete post-event walkthroughs and ensure the venue is properly secured and reset.
• Document significant incidents, damages, maintenance issues, or other concerns for management follow-up.
• Ensure beverage operations comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding alcohol service.
• Ensure staff follow responsible alcohol service practices and company policies.
• Maintain appropriate controls for alcohol storage, access, service, and inventory.
• Ensure bar operations comply with venue safety and sanitation standards.
• Report safety concerns, incidents, damages, or compliance issues to the General Manager promptly.
• Participate in company safety training and other required operational training.

Specialized Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records related to beverage purchasing, inventory, staffing, equipment, and maintenance.
• Review the event calendar regularly and proactively plan beverage staffing and product needs.
• Communicate beverage-related needs and concerns to the General Manager.
• Participate in operational meetings and contribute ideas for improving venue and beverage operations.
• Assist with developing budgets, forecasts, procedures, and operational standards related to the beverage program.
• Maintain vendor relationships and assist with negotiating product availability, pricing, and service when appropriate.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the General Manager.