General Manager - Rice University

Proof of the Pudding is an award-winning catering company throughout the Southeast with a commitment to creating quality culinary innovations. This standard was upheld through the expansion into Sports and Entertainment Hospitality Services by providing elevated concessions and premium offerings to collegiate stadiums, PGA golf tournaments, International Boat Shows, Professional Sports Teams, Convention Centers & more.

We are seeking a General Manager to lead the Food Service team at RICE University with strong experience in leading large venue catering with a strong background in concession operations and premium hospitality logistics. This role will be the point person for all day-to-day Operations, team development and continued focus of client relations.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for communication between Proof of the Pudding and the client. Serves as the first point of contact for all inquiries from the center. Responsible for nurturing this relationship.
• Design and implement business operations to ensure maximum efficiency and profitability of the food service department
• Meets venue financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
• Communicating financial statements, P&L Reports, and other requested documents to Proof of the Pudding Corporate.
• Looks for methods to improve quality, efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, increase profits, or improve control measures.
• Set comprehensive goals for department performance and growth
• Oversee daily operations of the department and the work of 3 managers and up to 50 hourly employees
• Lead employees to encourage maximum performance. Evaluate performance based on set expectations, data, and metrics.
• Organizing frequent meetings and open lines of communication with sales, operations, and culinary teams
• Monitoring the team and event schedule including reporting status, progress updates, and identifying areas that require corrective actions.
• Responsible for managing and participating in interviewing new employees, developing strategies for developing talent at all levels, and coaching organizational leaders.
• Foster a growth oriented, positive and encouraging environment while keeping employees and management accountable to company policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Practice an open door policy for employee grievances or dissatisfaction, documenting and addressing and escalating, as needed, appropriately and timely
• Hold staff accountable for fulfilling job description, conduct performance reviews of direct reports and ensure timely hourly reviews, coach and follow company guidelines for documentation of any lack of performance
• Provides timely, accurate, and complete reports on the operations and finances of the department
• Forge strategic partnerships and relationships with clients, vendors, agencies, venue partners and all other professional business relationships.
• Managerial support across other Proof of the Pudding properties as needed.

Performs other related duties as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in Hospitality Operations, Food & Beverage Management, Event Coordination, Operations Management, or equivalent.
• Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality, Organization Leadership, Management, or related field
• Exceptional executive presence, business acumen and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel (about 30% of the year) to support other Proof of the Pudding venues.
• Must live near or be willing to relocate to the Houston Area

Specialized Qualifications

• Budgeting and/or financial focused mindset
• Proven history with positive client relations

Work Environment

This position breakdown will be around 50% in office work, 50% event attendance. Office work entails computer usage, interdepartmental meetings and communications, talking with hourly staff via email, phone, and in person, and assisting with event preparation as needed. Event attendance includes leading execution teams, and being a managerial presence onsite. Events may be indoors or outdoors. This position will also travel to other Proof venues to support.

Physical Demands:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• 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
• Ability to perform physical tasks; such as but not limited to, lifting approx. 25 lbs.

CORE VALUE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• 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.
• 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."
• Ethics and Integrity - Acts with integrity, honesty and…