Title: Associate Manager, Food and Beverage Experience

Employee Status: Regular Full Time

Work From Home Option: Not Applicable

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Overview:

NYRA is seeking an Associate Manager, Food & Beverage Experience to drive the culinary strategy and partner operations at Saratoga Racecourse and Belmont Park. This role is critical to delivering exceptional dining experiences that reflect the diverse culinary landscape of New York while maximizing revenue and operational efficiency.

You will serve as the primary liaison between NYRA and our food service partners, overseeing partner relationships, managing a significant portion of the annual F&B budget, and ensuring seamless execution of food and beverage operations across all venues. Your responsibilities span strategic planning, procurement, vendor management, and day-to-day operational oversight—all focused on elevating guest satisfaction and driving profitability.

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership capabilities, sophisticated budget management skills, and deep hospitality expertise. You thrive in fast-paced, high-volume environments and have a proven track record of managing vendor partnerships, identifying revenue opportunities, and executing complex F&B operations that delight guests.

Essential Functions:

• Manage financial analysis of menu costing and pricing, monitor invoicing accuracy, and analyze sales data to optimize revenue and control costs.
• Oversee F&B budget management and partner with vendors to track spending, identify variances, and ensure budget compliance.
• Oversee food and beverage operations to ensure food quality, safety standards, and service delivery consistently meet NYRA's excellence benchmarks.
• Manage internal F&B needs across NYRA departments, partnering with vendors to deliver timely and seamless service.
• Serve as the primary liaison between NYRA's sponsorship team and food and beverage partners, ensuring all contractual obligations are fulfilled.
• Partner with the facilities team to coordinate repairs and preventive maintenance, ensuring all F&B venues meet safety and operational standards.
• Act as main point of contact for backstretch F&B operations, collaborating with vendor to provide necessary resources and ensure seamless service to racing personnel.
• Works under general supervision to accomplish key tasks for the Experiences team, following best practices and techniques in order to meet organizational standards of excellence.
• Provides direct support for food and beverage operations, ensuring smooth event execution and hospitality experiences.
• Identifies and resolves routine guest service concerns using established protocols.
• Assists in implementing service improvement initiatives by tracking guest feedback and making recommendations.
• Ensures compliance with hospitality policies and procedures while maintaining service quality standards.
• Acts as a resource for junior colleagues by providing guidance on standard guest service processes.

Qualifications:

Customer Advocacy, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Process Improvement, Telephone Skills, Record Keeping, Customer Support, Rapport Building, Food Safety Certifications, Strong Financial Understanding and Excel Proficient, Familiarity with Catering Software & Invoicing
Qualifications and Education Requirements:
• 5-10+ years of related experience required
• Preferred experience in high volume food service
• Bachelor’s degree
•

Summary of Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

This role is primarily sedentary and performed in an office or office-like environment with no special physical demands required. The position involves extended periods of sitting with intermittent standing and walking, as well as occasional bending, reaching, and other routine movements typical of a professional workplace.
The role requires regular hand manipulation, including daily typing and repetitive hand movements while working on a computer. Occasional light lifting (generally up to 10 lbs., and infrequently up to 30 lbs.) may be required.
The work environment does not typically expose the employee to hazardous conditions. There is minimal exposure to environmental hazards such as moving mechanical parts, fumes, extreme weather, or high-risk work areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Pay Range / Salary: $66,000 - $80,000