Job Title: Hospitality & Food & Beverage Manager
Reports to: Stadium Ops Director
Location: Long Beach, CA
FLSA Status: Exempt
Type: Full-Time
About Innovation Baseball Partners (IBP)
Innovation Baseball Partners (IBP) is an ownership group and operating company focused on building a portfolio of independent minor league baseball teams. We believe in the magic of baseball as a force for good, fostering high-quality baseball and strong community contributions through innovation, entertainment, and civic pride.
IBP provides resources, scale, and expertise to help each standalone team in our portfolio thrive. Currently, our portfolio includes the Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers and the Long Beach Baseball Club, with additional teams in active development. Our teams play in the Pioneer Baseball League, an independent league founded in 1939 that partners with Major League Baseball.
This is a unique opportunity to drive community engagement for Long Beach's new independent professional baseball team. We're looking for someone who lives and breathes Long Beach—a leader who will ensure our team is deeply connected in the community and champions the culture that makes Long Beach so special.
Role Description
Innovation Baseball is seeking a dynamic Food & Beverage and Premium Experiences Manager to lead all aspects of our stadium's culinary operations, concessions, and VIP hospitality programs. Reporting to the Director of Stadium Operations, you will be responsible for creating exceptional fan experiences through innovative F&B offerings and white-glove premium services while driving revenue growth and operational excellence. This is a ground-floor opportunity to build and scale our hospitality operations from inception as part of a startup independent baseball team in Long Beach.
You will oversee all food and beverage operations from concept through execution, develop premium seating and corporate hospitality strategies, and ensure world-class service delivery on game days and special events. The ideal candidate combines operational expertise with entrepreneurial creativity, thriving in a fast-paced startup environment where you'll have significant autonomy to shape the fan experience.
Key Responsibilities:
Food & Beverage Operations
- Manage all concessions operations, including pop-up concessions, menu development, inventory management, staffing, and point-of-sale systems
- Ensure food safety compliance, quality standards, and speed of service across all concession stands and mobile vendors
- Develop pricing strategies and promotional offerings to maximize revenue while maintaining fan satisfaction
- Oversee pre-game, in-game, and post-game F&B operations, including setup, service delivery, and breakdown
- Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise concessions staff and vendors for all home games and events
- Monitor product quality, freshness, and presentation standards throughout events
- Explore partnerships with local restaurants, breweries, and specialty food vendors to enhance variety and community connection
Premium Experiences & Hospitality
- Design and execute premium seating experiences, including suites, club areas, and in-seat service programs
- Develop corporate hospitality packages and manage relationships with premium ticket holders and corporate partners
- Support sales and partnerships teams with premium inventory strategy, pricing, and activation planning
- Develop relationships with corporate clients and serve as primary hospitality contact for key accounts
Game Day F&B Coordination
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all food and beverage operations during games and events
- Manage staffing levels, product availability, and service quality throughout events
- Troubleshoot F&B issues in real-time, including equipment failures, inventory shortages, and guest complaints
- Coordinate with Director, Stadium Ops on timing, logistics, and facility readiness for F&B operations
- Conduct pre-game walkthroughs and post-game debriefs to ensure operational excellence
- Monitor wait times, sales data, and fan feedback to make real-time adjustments
Budget & Vendor Management
- Develop and manage F&B operating budget, including cost of goods sold, labor, equipment, and supplies
- Negotiate and oversee contracts with food suppliers, beverage distributors, and specialty vendors
- Track sales performance, margin analysis, and per-capita spending metrics to optimize profitability
- Monitor inventory levels and implement controls to minimize waste and theft
- Process invoices, reconcile revenue, and prepare financial reports for leadership
Qualifications:
- 3-5 years of experience in food & beverage management, hospitality operations, or venue/event management
- Proven track record managing concessions, catering, or restaurant operations
- Food safety certification (ServSafe Manager or equivalent) and thorough knowledge of California health and safety regulations
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and solve problems quickly in live event environments
- Excellent vendor negotiation and relationship management skills with suppliers, distributors, and contractors
- Proficiency with POS systems, inventory management software, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace
- Ability to work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required by the baseball/event schedule.
Preferred Attributes:
- Bilingual (English/Spanish or other relevant languages)
- Local connection to, and market knowledge of, Long Beach/Southern California food scene, vendors, and community partnerships
- Sports or live entertainment venue experience (stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters, festivals) with understanding of high-volume, time-compressed operations
- Premium hospitality or luxury service background with experience managing VIP programs, suite services, or corporate events
- Startup or entrepreneurial experience with comfort building systems and processes from the ground up
Why You'll Love Working at Long Beach Baseball Club
- Build From the Ground Up: This is a rare opportunity to help build the operations for a growing sports ownership group and shape the future of our organization.
- Unmatched Impact: Your work will influence the success of a new baseball team in Long Beach.
- A Unique Challenge: You'll tackle the challenge of building the brand and digital footprint of a whole new team
- Join a Winning Team: Work with a passionate, smart, and ambitious leadership team that is committed to innovation and excellence.
Compensation
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and holidays
- Game day perks and team merchandise discounts
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
