Beverage Supervisor - Mississippi State University

Job Details: Job Location: Mississippi State University - Mississippi State, MS, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Proof of the Pudding is a chef-led hospitality company delivering food and beverage experiences at some of North America’s most complex sports, entertainment, cultural, and live-event venues.

Founded in Atlanta in 1979, Proof has built a national reputation for doing hospitality differently — from-scratch cooking at scale, hyper-local sourcing, and a partnership-first approach that treats clients as collaborators, not contracts. The company serves professional and collegiate sports venues, convention centers, cultural institutions, and large-scale destination events across the United States and Internationally.

Proof of the Pudding is seeking an experienced and hospitality-focused Beverage Supervisor to join our team at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. This position will support the execution of beverage operations across premium hospitality areas, clubs, suites, concessions, catering events, and other athletic and special events. The Beverage Supervisor will provide hands-on leadership to bartenders, beverage attendants, barbacks, and other beverage-service team members while ensuring exceptional guest service, efficient operations, responsible alcohol service, accurate inventory and POS practices, and compliance with all company, university, state, and local requirements.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced event environment and understands that successful beverage operations require strong preparation, communication, organization, and attention to detail.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee beverage operations during Mississippi State University athletic events, premium hospitality events, catering functions, and other assigned events.
Supervise and lead bartenders, beverage attendants, barbacks, and beverage support staff.
Assign team members to bars, beverage stations, premium areas, and other service locations based on event needs.
Conduct pre-shift meetings to communicate event details, beverage menus, service expectations, staffing assignments, safety requirements, and responsible alcohol service expectations.
Ensure all beverage outlets are properly set, stocked, organized, clean, and ready for service prior to guest arrival.
Monitor beverage service throughout events and make real-time adjustments to staffing, product levels, and service flow as needed.
Provide hands-on leadership during high-volume service periods and lead the team by example.
Ensure bartenders and beverage staff provide professional, efficient, and friendly guest service.
Maintain a strong focus on guest satisfaction and promptly address guest concerns or service issues.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local alcohol laws, including proper age verification and responsible alcohol service.
Enforce Proof of the Pudding beverage policies and procedures regarding alcohol service, identification verification, intoxication, and responsible service.
Monitor beverage inventory before, during, and after events to ensure proper product levels and minimize waste, shortages, and loss.
Assist with receiving, organizing, storing, and securing beverage products and supplies.
Monitor proper use of beverage equipment, bars, coolers, ice, glassware, smallwares, and other beverage-related equipment.
Ensure accurate use of Point of Sale (POS) systems and adherence to all cash-handling procedures.
Assist management with beverage sales reporting, inventory counts, product reconciliation, and other financial controls.
Partner with the Beverage Manager and Operations leadership to identify opportunities to improve beverage sales, service speed, product availability, and overall guest experience.
Work closely with culinary, catering, concessions, premium hospitality, and event operations teams to ensure seamless event execution.
Communicate operational issues, staffing concerns, inventory shortages, equipment needs, and guest-service issues to management.
Assist with recruiting, training, onboarding, and development of beverage team members as needed.
Reinforce company standards regarding uniforms, grooming, personal appearance, professionalism, and guest interaction.
Ensure beverage areas are maintained in a clean, organized, and professional manner throughout the event.
Ensure proper closing procedures, including product storage, inventory control, cash/POS procedures, cleaning, breakdown, and securing beverage areas.
Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and workplace safety standards applicable to beverage operations.
Report all accidents, injuries, guest incidents, alcohol-service incidents, and other safety or operational concerns promptly to management.
Attend required company, university, safety, alcohol-service, and operational training sessions.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum of 2–4 years of beverage, bar, hospitality, food and beverage, catering, concessions, or event-service experience.
Prior supervisory or lead experience in beverage, hospitality, food and beverage, or event operations preferred.
Must meet all applicable age requirements for alcohol service under Mississippi law.
Working knowledge of responsible alcohol-service practices.
Ability to work effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced event environment.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Ability to lead, motivate, and provide direction to a diverse team.
Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of an event operations team.
Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, game days, and extended event hours.

SPECIALIZED QUALIFICATIONS

Stadium, collegiate athletics, premium hospitality, concessions, catering, hotel, restaurant, or high-volume event experience strongly preferred.
Experience supervising bartenders and beverage-service teams preferred.
Experience with POS systems, beverage inventory, cash handling, and product reconciliation preferred.
Knowledge of beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverage programs preferred.
TIPS, ServSafe Alcohol, TEAM, or equivalent responsible alcohol-service certification preferred.
Ability to communicate effectively with guests, hourly employees, managers, university representatives, vendors, and other event partners.
Professional demeanor with a strong commitment to hospitality and guest service.

COMPANY CORE VALUE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

Business Acumen- Demonstrate an understanding of beverage operations, event execution, company policies, client expectations, and financial controls. Possess the knowledge and skills required to execute beverage operations effectively and efficiently.

Dedication- Dependable, reliable, and committed to following through on responsibilities from event preparation through breakdown. Demonstrate a “see it, own it, solve it” mentality and a willingness to do what is necessary to deliver a successful event.

Ethics and Integrity - Act with honesty, integrity, and professionalism at all times. Follow all company policies and procedures, particularly those related to alcohol service, cash handling, inventory control, guest safety, and employee conduct.

Service Orientation - Demonstrate a sense of urgency while maintaining a welcoming, professional, and guest-focused demeanor. Anticipate guest needs and consistently deliver an exceptional hospitality experience.

Leadership - Provide clear direction, coaching, and support to beverage team members. Lead by example and create a positive, professional, and productive work environment.

Adaptability & Planning - Possess the ability to adapt quickly to changing event conditions, guest volumes, staffing needs, product availability, and operational priorities. Perform effectively under tight timelines and pressure.

Safety & Security - Observe all safety, sanitation, alcohol-service, cash-handling, and security standards. Use equipment and materials properly and comply with all required safety and personal protective equipment standards.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment for this position consists primarily of stadiums, premium hospitality areas, clubs, suites, concessions locations, catering venues, bars, and other indoor and outdoor event environments.

The position will frequently move throughout Mississippi State University athletic facilities and event venues. The employee may be exposed to varying temperatures, including heat, cold, walk-in coolers, and outdoor weather conditions.

Events may involve loud environments, large crowds, extended periods of standing and walking, and fast-paced service conditions.

This position requires a flexible schedule based on the university's athletic calendar and event schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout event and beverage-service areas.
Ability to bend, stoop, reach, push, pull, and climb stairs as necessary.
Ability to frequently lift and move beverage products, equipment, ice, and supplies weighing approximately 35 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Ability to work in a standing position for extended periods, including during full-length athletic events.
Ability to navigate stadium stairs, ramps, concourses, suites, clubs, bars, kitchens, storage areas, and other event spaces.
Ability to perform repetitive motions associated with beverage-service operations.
Ability to communicate effectively in a loud event environment and use radios or other communication equipment when required.
Ability to use hands and arms to handle beverage products, equipment, glassware, POS equipment, and other materials.
Ability to see, hear, speak, and communicate effectively with guests and team members.

POSITION SALARY & BENEFITS

Competitive hourly compensation based on experience and qualifications.
Opportunity for overtime based on event schedules and business needs.
Proof of the Pudding provides eligible employees with a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.
Opportunities for professional development, training, and advancement within Proof of the Pudding.
Opportunity to work in a dynamic Sports & Entertainment Hospitality environment.

Proof of the Pudding and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.