The Brand Manager of Beverage will co-lead the strategic direction and execution of Red Lobster’s beverage program. This role demands a blend of analytical rigor, creative insight, and strategic thinking to optimize our beverage portfolio, merchandising and operational procedures. This position reports to the Senior Brand Manager of Core Menu & Beverage, and works in close collaboration with a beverage agency, vendor partners, and internal cross functional stakeholders, driving growth in beverage sales through short & long-term planning & strategy.
KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES
- Partner with Senior Brand Manager of Core Menu & Beverage to develop and deploy a comprehensive beverage strategy that optimizes product offerings, pricing, promotions, merchandising, and in-restaurant execution.
- Drive the end-to-end process of beverage innovation and operationalization, including the development of seasonal limited-time offers (LTOs).
- Partner closely with Supply Chain / Strategic Sourcing to procure & manage SKUs.
- Monitor beverage performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), making data-driven adjustments to the program to enhance outcomes and achieve company objectives.
- Analyze consumer trends, sales data, and industry developments to translate insights into actionable strategies and plans.
- Continuously evaluate and optimize the selection of liquor, beer, wine (LBW), and non-alcoholic beverages (NAB) to ensure alignment with consumer preferences and business goals.
- Partner with Senior Brand Manager or Core Menu & Beverage, Finance, Operations, and Training teams to develop pricing strategies, menu models, and service standards that drive profitability and guest satisfaction.
- Co-manage relationships with beverage agencies and vendors to maximize funding and ensure compliance with LBW mandates.
- Collaborate with the Legal team to ensure full compliance with local alcohol regulations and contractual obligations.
- Identify potential business risks and present solutions to Senior Brand Manager of Core Menu & Beverage to mitigate issues and ensure continuous improvement.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Strong project leadership and project management capabilities
- Attention to detail
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including executive-level presentations
- Ability to interact effectively with cross-functional teams and senior leadership
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint
- Robust analytical and problem-solving skills
REQURED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Passion for food and hospitality
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (MBA preferred)
- 3+ years of brand management experience, with 2+ years of direct product development experience, preferably in restaurants, hospitality, retail, or consumer packaged goods
- Availability for occasional travel
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to embrace change and support shifting priorities, demands and timelines
- Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, concurrent initiatives and drive projects to completion
- Self-starter with initiative to proactively identify and act upon opportunities without direction
- Ability to facilitate relations between cross functional teammates
- Persuasive, encouraging and motivating workstyle
- Persistence with follow up matters as needed
- Must be able to learn, understand, and apply new technologies
