Food and Beverage Manager

About Ballarat Wildlife Park

Ballarat Wildlife Park is a family-run wildlife park in regional Victoria with a strong focus on conservation and the ethical care of native Australian species as well as a selection of exotic animals. The park is recognised for breeding programs that support endangered species, including Tasmanian devils, and for contributing to conservation efforts at both national and international levels. Visitors are offered engaging wildlife experiences that combine education, sustainability, and close interaction with animals, such as hand-feeding kangaroos and speaking with keepers about current conservation issues.

Role Overview

The Food and Beverage Manager will lead the park’s food and beverage function and make sure operations consistently meet expectations for service quality, safety, and guest satisfaction. This is a permanent, full-time, on-site position in Bakery Hill, Victoria. The role covers café and kiosk management, team supervision, roster planning, inventory oversight, purchasing, menu development, and the introduction of efficient workflows that balance cost control with quality.

Key Duties

You will work across food service operations while coordinating with other departments to assist with events, group visits, and seasonal offers. The position also involves creating a positive, inclusive experience for both guests and staff, while maintaining alignment with the park’s values and visitor needs.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience managing food and beverage operations in hospitality, tourism, or a similar environment, with direct exposure to supervising both front-of-house and back-of-house teams. Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills are important, along with the ability to support a respectful and inclusive workplace.

Practical knowledge of food safety rules, hygiene standards, and workplace health and safety practices is required, as is experience applying compliance processes in day-to-day operations. You should also be comfortable with stock management, ordering, budgeting, and basic financial reporting, with a clear focus on controlling costs and supporting revenue growth.

Excellent communication and customer service abilities are essential, particularly in a busy visitor setting where feedback and complaints must be handled professionally. The role requires flexibility to work on site during weekends, public holidays, and other peak operating periods.

Formal qualifications in hospitality management, business, or a related area are preferred, though comparable experience may be accepted. An interest in wildlife conservation, education, eco-tourism, sustainability, and ethical business practices would be an advantage.

Work Conditions

This role is based on site and is expected to align with the park’s operational needs, including higher-traffic periods and scheduled special activities.