Manager, Beverage Operations and Product Development (Applebee's)

Based inPasadena, California,Dine Brands Global, Inc.(NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries, franchises restaurants under Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar, IHOP and Fuzzy's Taco Shop brands. With over 3,500 restaurants combined in 18 countries and 354 franchisees as of December 31, 2023, Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company's website located atwww.dinebrands.com.

The Beverage Operations and Product Development Manager is responsible for developing and implementing Applebee's alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages for menus and promotions nationwide.

This individual participates and contributes to beverage ideation, product sourcing, drink development and commercialization, restaurant support and implementation for the Applebee's Beverage Team. In addition, this person will partner with Operations, Training, Architectural Design, and Purchasing Teams as the beverage expert on all tests, promotions, and ongoing maintenance of Applebee's core beverage program.

Responsibilities:

• Product Development/Mixology: Ideate and innovate to build a cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, commercialize recipes, run tastings, and execute product showcases in Applebee's Test Bar
• Core Program Maintenance: Manage ongoing maintenance, communication and renovation of Applebee's core beverage program materials pertaining to recipes, costs, equipment and procedures
• Beverage Subject Matter Expert: Act as the beverage liaison for Training, Operations, Architectural Design, and Purchasing teams to support the development, testing, implementation and execution of all beverage-related activities
• Franchise Beverage Consultant: Support Franchisees' efforts in growing profitable beverage sales by assessing local market conditions and opportunities and providing recommendations

Beverage Development:

• Through development and testing, build a pipeline of unique, innovative product offerings that will make Applebee's stand out as a market leader in the casual dining segment
• Provide direction for core and signature cocktails and recipes based on brand strategy, consumer insights and business analytics
• Manage relationships with suppliers to optimize, commercialize, and scale signature drink menu offerings for both alcohol and non-alcohol recipes
• Revise and improve Applebee's library of beverage recipes, drink-making procedures and core products on an ongoing basis
• Collaborate with peers and other cross functional departments on various projects/initiatives that impact beverage sales and innovation
• Align with Business Analytics and Consumer Insights Teams to make informed product decisions
• Conduct surveys and research with Franchisees and bar managers to gain front-line insights into the operation and needs of Applebee's beverage program
• Conduct periodic business reviews and working sessions with suppliers
• Manage back bar mandates and provide recommendations for consolidation/expansion where appropriate
• Identify the effective solutions for completing beverage-related tasks and preparing contingencies to overcome unexpected challenges in the process
• Maintain high level knowledge of leading flavor trends and cocktails
• Maintain high level of knowledge of bar equipment, bartender tools and any relevant technology

Operations:

• Partner with Ops Services to ensure consistent, ongoing execution of all aspects of the Applebee's beverage program
• Ensure timely rollouts and smooth execution of all beverage-related projects and initiatives at the restaurant level
• Calibrate new beverages to align with current Applebee's standards for recipes and procedures
• Spearhead all beverage product tests
• Seek feedback and align with the Franchise Operations Council on any new beverage procedures, product uses, proposed recipes and beverage inventory management
• Partner with Operations and Training teams to identify beverage-related pain-points and opportunities within the Applebee's system
• Provide guidance and direction to field-based operations Team Members as they work with Franchisees on bar-related initiatives and rollouts
• Continuously work with Operations to identify opportunities to simplify and optimize beverage products and offerings
• Present project updates and report results to Franchise Councils and Applebee's leadership as needed
• Objectively review pertinent recipe submissions from suppliers and Franchisees and adjust any procedure or ingredients to match current program standards
• Vet all recipe submissionsand menu deviations

Training:

• Partner with the Training Team to ensure proper rollout and execution of recipes and bar procedures for all calendar promotions, projects and initiatives
• Support Training's efforts to develop a best-in-class beverage training program for all Severs and Bartenders, and improve Team Member knowledge
• Provide necessary information and support to the Training Team in the development of beverage related materials
• Organize and maintain all specs and standards for Applebee's core beverage recipes and procedures
• Continuously assess and monitor the needs of Applebee's restaurant team members to ensure they are receiving the most relevant, impactful and necessary beverage training
• Lead holistic beverage training program and develop annual plans for improving and supplementing training resources for promotional campaigns and ongoing Applebee's standards

Procurement:

• Manage all beverage distributor relationships
• Identify and implement cost-savings measures to improve margin and profit in beverage categories
• Analyze beverage costs and purchasing practices to ensure profit and margin goals are attained
• Work closely with Purchasing on all beverage RFPs, correspondence with national suppliers, control supply chain and purchasing costs, and support management of logistics and distribution
• Research and provide technical information to Purchasing Team to accurately source and forecast new beverage offers
• Partner with Purchasing to source beverage products and equipment based on Applebee's brand priorities and initiatives
• As brand liaison, oversee RFP and bid processes for new SKUs, product improvement, or cost savings
• Continuously work on behalf of Franchisees to improve costs, efficiency and quality of Applebee's beverage offers
• Determine best or most practical ingredients and methods to balance drink integrity, costs, operational ease of execution, and promotional intention
• Work with Quality Assurance Team on vetting and approving new products
• Assist with product quality issues and recalls as they arise
• Work with QA Team to conduct reviews and audits of manufacturers and distributors as needed

Skills & Requirements:

• 7+ years work-related experience in the restaurant, hospitality, or beverage industry
• Minimum education level required: University/Bachelor's Degree or relevant beverage-related certifications, accreditations and coursework will also be considered.
• Strong knowledge of bar operations, flow, layout, and equipment
• Ability to multi-task and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to effectively influence others across the organization, being comfortable in the spotlight
• Strong personal initiative and work ethic, with a collaborative approach and mindset
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong presentation skills
• Ability to identify opportunities and develop fact-based solutions
• Ability to obtain and maintain full knowledge and understanding of company and department rules and regulations, policies and procedures
• Proficiency in Microsoft office applications, including: Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams
• Target Base Salary 110k+

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dine Brands Global strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act and/or other applicable laws and regulations in other jurisdictions.

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