Cocktail Development Manager

Job Details

At McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality (MML), we are devoted to creating some of the world’s most memorable hospitality experiences, where exceptional cuisine, inspired design, impeccable service, and authentic storytelling come together in harmony. Founded by Larry McGuire, Tom Moorman, and Liz Lambert, MML is recognized for its refined, character-driven approach to restaurants and hotels, each concept deeply rooted in creativity, quality, and a true sense of place. With a growing portfolio of celebrated properties across Austin, Aspen, Malibu, New York, and beyond, MML continues to expand into new markets and iconic destinations.

The Cocktail Development Manager will play a critical role in shaping and evolving the cocktail identity across all MML restaurant and bar programs. This role is responsible for curating innovative, concept-driven cocktail menus while maintaining strong financial discipline, operational feasibility, and brand consistency.

What MML Offers

• Competitive Salary
• Bonus Potential
• Paid Time Off
• MML Property Discounts (Hotel, Restaurant, Retail)
• Beverage Education Reimbursement
• Advancement and Promotion Opportunities
• Community Service Opportunities
• Relocation Assistance
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life, and Pet Insurance
• Retirement Benefits
• Parental Leave

What You’ll Bring

• Passion for Beverage & Hospitality: A deep enthusiasm for cocktail culture, hospitality, and guest experience.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience overseeing bar programs, cocktail curation, and hands-on bartending. At least 2 years of experience of leading teams. 
• Industry Recognition: At least one cocktail development accolade, award, press mention, or notable program achievement that can be referenced.
• Creative Vision: Proven ability to develop cocktails that align with specific restaurant concepts while introducing new ideas, trends, and seasonal ingredients.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of beverage costs, recipe costing, margins, and inventory control.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
  • Experience with beverage inventory systems (BinWise preferred)
  • Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign for producing beverage tech sheets
• Collaboration & Communication: Ability to work cross-functionally with operations, procurement, and beverage leadership.

What You’ll Do

• Curate and develop cocktail recipes for all MML restaurant and bar programs, ensuring each menu reinforces the identity of the individual concept.
• Research and introduce new cocktail ideas, techniques, and industry trends while maintaining brand relevance and approachability.
• Champion seasonality-minded ingredients and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Develop and implement improved garnish techniques and presentation standards.
• Partner with procurement and operations teams to select appropriate glassware aligned with concept, functionality, and cost targets.
• Collaborate with the beverage leadership team to select and maintain backbar ingredients and standards.
• Create detailed beverage recipes, costing tools, and technical documentation to ensure consistency and scalability across locations.
• Support beverage training initiatives and assist with rollouts of new cocktail menus.
• Monitor beverage performance and costs, identifying opportunities for optimization and innovation.

Schedule and Hours

• Full Time
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require

Physical Requirements

• Essential Functions: Must meet the physical demands to perform critical job functions successfully. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.
• Communication: Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Manual Dexterity: Use hands or fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Mobility: Often required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Environmental Exposure: Exposure to extreme heat, steam, and cold in a kitchen environment.
• Lifting: Occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Vision: Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment: Noise level is usually moderate.

If an offer is accepted for this position, you must undergo a comprehensive background check. This process may include verification of employment history, education credentials, criminal records, and other relevant information. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree to the background check process as a condition of employment.

MML Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other prohibited basis. We intend for all qualified applicants to be given equal opportunity and for selection decisions based on job-related factors.