Note: This is a full-time onsite job and needs relocation to Sharjah, UAE
Job Purpose
The Beverage Expert is responsible for developing, standardizing, and continuously improving the beverage portfolio for the Americana all brands. The role ensures that beverages are innovative, commercially viable, operationally simple, and consistently delivered to brand standards across all outlets, while meeting customer preferences, food safety requirements, and profitability targets.
Key Responsibilities
Beverage Strategy & Menu Development
- Develop and curate a compelling beverage menu aligned with brand positioning, customer trends, and business objectives.
- Innovate new beverage concepts (hot, cold, specialty, seasonal, and limited-time offers).
- Optimize existing recipes for taste consistency, speed of service, and cost efficiency.
- Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify emerging beverage trends.
Standardization & Quality Control
- Create and maintain standardized recipes, SOPs, and preparation guidelines.
- Ensure consistent beverage quality, presentation, and portioning across all brands.
- Define equipment specifications and beverage preparation workflows suitable for high-volume brands
- Monitor and improve beverage performance through audits, tastings, and store visits.
Operations & Cost Management
- Design beverages that are easy to execute in fast-paced QSR environments.
- Collaborate with procurement to source ingredients, syrups, concentrates, and equipment.
- Manage beverage cost targets, yield, wastage, and margin optimization.
- Support troubleshooting of operational challenges related to beverages.
Training & Capability Building
- Develop training materials and conduct training for store teams and trainers.
- Ensure frontline staff understand beverage preparation, quality standards, and food safety requirements.
- Support new store openings and rollouts of beverage launches.
Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all beverage processes comply with food safety, hygiene, and regulatory standards.
- Work with QA teams to validate shelf life, storage, and handling procedures.
Education
- Degree or diploma in Food & Beverage, Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field (preferred).
Experience
- 4–8 years of experience in beverage development, beverage operations, or R&D, preferably within QSR, cafe chains, or large food service businesses.
- Hands-on experience with high-volume beverage preparation and standardization.
- Exposure to multi-unit or franchise operations is an advantage.
- Proven ability to develop innovative yet commercially viable beverage solutions.
- Willingness to travel across markets and supplier locations.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong presentation and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong knowledge of beverage ingredients, formulations, and preparation techniques.
- Understanding of QSR operational constraints (speed, simplicity, scalability).
- Commercial mindset with the ability to balance creativity and cost.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret sales data, costs, and customer insights.
- Excellent communication and training skills.
- Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
