Culinary Systems Manager - Dollywood Theme Park - Exempt

At Dollywood Parks & Resorts, we create memories worth repeating. We do this every day across all properties; all located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Ask anyone who has visited Dollywood Parks & Resorts, and they will tell you this place is different. It’s not a difference that you can touch or see - it’s a difference you can feel. We are seeking a Culinary Systems Area Manager who will embody the heart and soul of our mission of creating memories worth repeating while bringing families closer together and caring deeply about our brand. This person also brings a spirit of fun, authenticity, collaboration, creativity and genuine hospitality to the lives of our guests.

We want to work alongside someone who acts as an extension of our mission, values, and culture. This individual is driven to create meaningful experiences for our hosts, guests, and community while ensuring the success and profitability of our unique offerings. The right Culinary Systems Area Manager will be equal parts curious learner, innovator, administrator, detail driver, mentor, and motivator.

The Culinary Systems Area Manager is responsible for the governance, maintenance and training activities, of the Food & Beverage Division point of sale (POS) and inventory systems. in addition to serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the designated properties. This role will manage and coordinate operational needs including training, data entry, reporting, analyzing, inventory, etc. to ensure people, processes and systems are functioning at high levels and minimized downtime. This role also will enable operating teams to maximize all benefits, financial, reporting and other, of the Food & Beverage Technology Systems. This role also represents and is the liaison for the Food & Beverage division in communication with related divisions including finance, IT, marketing and merchandise. This role may also support additional properties and enterprise-wide initiatives as requested.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will be able to display and live out Lead with Love qualities, strongly rooted in the Dollywood Company culture, by being patient, kind, trusting, unselfish, truthful, forgiving, dedicated and accountable.

Summary of Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Manages, performs and/or coordinates functional and data entry activities related to Food & Beverage Technology Systems for the designated properties to ensure accurate and timely data including the following tasks:


• Enters and maintains Prep and POS recipes for designated properties


• Creates and maintains sales location POS screens for designated properties


• Enters and maintains entitlements, stored value, discounts programs, passholder programs, and other Food & Beverage related programs


• Monitors, adjusts and ensures accurate retail pricing, costing, units, conversions and valuations


• Audits and governs F&B and Retail Revenue Systems data


• Leads and supports the enterprise for software upgrades, enhancements, and new/updated application rollouts, as directed


• Supports the launch of additional Food & Beverage technology rollouts such as mobile ordering, kiosk ordering and additional platforms to enhance the guest experience


• Supports, manages, maintains and/or coordinates, in conjunction with related divisions, all Food & Beverage Technology supply requirements for designated properties including hardware, scanners, terminals, card readers, kiosks, tablets, etc. to ensure operational teams are functioning at a high capacity and minimizing downtime


• Troubleshoots and represents the Food & Beverage division as it relates to Food & Beverage technology and its interface with other software applications including ticketing, finance, vendor software, etc. to ensure minimized downtime, timely remediation and ongoing support


• Fields and troubleshoots POS and Inventory Technology related ops end-user issues


• In conjunction with enterprise guidance, govern Food & Beverage division data and data rules, ensuring ongoing credibility and effectiveness of data


• Generates and provides Food & Beverage sales, inventory and related reporting and analysis to property


• Uses data and analytics to provide usable data to operators as requested and/or administers auto-generated reports


• Provides support for reporting and analytics as it pertains to cash handling and cash management within the Food & Beverage technology software


• Supports all enterprise level inventory procedures and processes as required during period end and cycle counts


• Provides leadership throughout inventory process and month end close including variance reports, valuation reports, sales and COGS reports to aid in timely and accurate month end closing


• Supports vendor integration and ongoing vendor maintenance as it relates to integrating new vendors, troubleshooting existing vendor integrations, maintaining bid sheets and vendor bids and related activities


• Provides Operator End-User support for designated properties as related to POS and Inventory System


• Responsible for leading division compliance and training on PCI requirements

Management reserves the right to change and/or add to these duties at any time

Education and Experience Required

• College degree required.  Bachelor’s degree in related fields such as business administration, IT or hospitality preferred


• Minimum 2 years of experience of managing projects


• Minimum 2 years’ experience with point of sale and/or inventory systems including reporting and analysis


• Proven experience with common office software such as Microsoft Office or other comparable software


• Proven track record of balancing technical and business acumen


• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate technical issues with a wide range of non-technical audiences, including end users, technical staff, vendors, department management, and senior management


• Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions, and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.


• Driver's license and acceptable driving record required


• Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of background screening which includes criminal history and motor vehicle record check 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to make a friendly impression when speaking to or corresponding with guests, vendors, and other employees


• Must reflect Dollywood’s image by being genuinely friendly and caring and by taking pride in work


• Must be self-motivated and disciplined


• Must be able to prioritize and complete work assignments on a timely basis


• Must maintain strict confidentiality and judgment regarding privileged information


• Must be committed to continuous improvement


• Must maintain a professional appearance with good personal hygiene


• Must promote and support a “team” work environment by cooperating and helping co-workers


• Must be productive in a fast-paced environment


• Must maintain dependable work attendance and flexibility with assigned work schedules including any required overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays


• Must be sensitive to the needs of our Guests and feel empowered to act to meet their needs within company guidelines


• Must be able to utilize effective communication, problem solving, conflict management and interpersonal skills


• Able to collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan, execute, and deliver projects ahead of schedule, fostering open communication and mutual support to achieve shared goals


• Able to comprehend instructions and retain information


• Able to perform duties consistently while creating a safe and secure environment for hosts and guests


• Able to be flexible and handle frequent changes in priorities


• Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide with accuracy


• Must be able to communicate effectively with Guests and Hosts using approved communication methods


• Able to tolerate various temperatures while working indoors and outdoors


• Able to meet the physical demands of the job


• Able to wear all PPE as required


• Able to work in all chemicals/detergents utilized in the area.


• Must be able to lift 30 lbs with or without a 2-person lift. 30+ lbs requires a 2-person lift


• Must take Start Fresh training, as well as implement all safety aspects of Start Fresh training


• Must be able to work and tolerate temperatures ranging from 0 to 120 degrees


• Must comply with all Health Dept., Serv Safe, and Company regulations pertaining to Food Safety Handling Procedures


• Must be able to complete daily, weekly, and monthly paperwork.


• Reading and comprehension to understand recipes, menus, COS, P&L’s, budgets, transfers, schedules, policies, procedures, written communications, and vendor bids and contracts


• Making correct decisions based on analyzing information


• Operating Point of Sale System to assist and train new employees


• Operating various culinary equipment to assist and sufficiently serve guests and train employees


• Ability to tolerate noise in work environment

Physical and Cognitive Requirements 

• Lifting and Carrying:Position may require occasional to frequent lifting of up to 50 lbs utilizing company’s safety guidelines for safe lifting 


• Mobility:Position may require intermittent to prolonged sitting, standing and/or walking for duration of shift, up to 13 hours. Employees may also be required to travel to various areas on property which may include changes in terrain, stairs and uneven surfaces 


• Repetitive Movements:This position may require performing repetitive movements and tasks throughout the shift, including repeated use of hands, arms or other body parts as part of typical job functions 


• Environmental Conditions:This position requires the ability to perform work tasks in varying weather conditions to include extreme cold and heat. Employees may be required to work indoors and outdoors 


• Cognitive and Sensory Requirements:This position requires strong cognitive skills, including the ability to think critically, solve problems, process and retain information, have attention to detail and communicate effectively using approved methods 

The Dollywood Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. The Dollywood Company drives a welcoming culture where ideas and decisions from all people support our efforts to be relevant in an ever-changing world.