Food and Beverage Product Strategy Manager

Job Description

Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873. Our ships offer innovative features and enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel, inviting guests to savor the journey.

The Food & Beverage Product Strategy Manager is responsible for driving the design, testing, and launch of new and enhanced food and beverage offerings and product development across Holland America Line (HAL) and Seabourn (SBN), with a strong focus on innovation and automation. This role manages the end-to-end innovation pipeline, translating business strategies into scalable products, programs, and process improvements that can be successfully implemented across the fleet. The position identifies emerging trends, evaluates new technologies, and recommends automation opportunities that improve consistency, efficiency, and overall business performance. The Food & Beverage Product Strategy Manager leads product testing, pilot programs, and performance analysis, using data and stakeholder feedback to measure results and guide continuous improvement. Working closely with Culinary Operations, Information Technology, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams, this role ensures cross-functional alignment and successful execution of strategic initiatives. The position serves as a subject matter expert, providing guidance on food and beverage product strategy, innovation, and operational best practices that support organizational goals. The ideal candidate possesses strong project management, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with experience in hospitality, food and beverage operations, product development, and technology-enabled innovation.

Here’s a summary of what Holland America Line is looking for. Is this you?

Responsibilities:

Food & Beverage Product Strategy & Innovation

• Manages the development and advancement of food and beverage product strategies that support guest satisfaction, revenue growth, and operational objectives across HAL and SBN. Identifies opportunities to enhance existing offerings and introduce new products, services, and experiences that align with evolving guest preferences and market demands. Conducts industry research and trend analysis to evaluate emerging concepts and determine their potential value to the business. Maintains a structured portfolio of development initiatives and ensures priorities align with strategic objectives and available resources. Develops recommendations that balance guest experience, operational feasibility, and financial considerations. Partners with stakeholders to define project goals, timelines, and implementation requirements. Serves as a subject matter expert on product strategy and innovation, providing guidance that supports long-term business growth and differentiation.

Automation & Technology Solutions

• Evaluates emerging technologies and automation solutions that enhance food and beverage operations, improve consistency, and increase efficiency across the fleet. Researches new tools, platforms, and digital capabilities to determine their applicability within onboard and shoreside environments. Develops business cases that assess anticipated benefits, investment requirements, operational impact, and implementation considerations. Collaborates with Information Technology and business leaders to support the evaluation, selection, and adoption of approved solutions. Identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve scalability through technology-enabled processes. Supports implementation activities and promotes sustainable adoption by ensuring solutions align with operational needs. Monitors outcomes and recommends adjustments that maximize value and support continuous improvement objectives.

Product Testing, Analytics & Performance Optimization

• Designs and manages product testing initiatives to evaluate new concepts, enhancements, and operational improvements before broader deployment. Establishes clear success measures and key performance indicators to assess initiative effectiveness and business impact. Collects and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data from guests, crew, operational teams, and financial results. Translates findings into actionable recommendations that support informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Evaluates performance trends to identify opportunities for refinement, expansion, or optimization. Measures product effectiveness against defined objectives and communicates results to leadership and key stakeholders. Maintains reporting and documentation that support transparency, knowledge sharing, and future innovation efforts.

Project Leadership & Execution

• Leads multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deliverables are completed on schedule, within scope, and aligned with business priorities. Develops project plans, implementation strategies, and milestone tracking tools to support successful execution. Coordinates activities across departments and business partners to ensure alignment and timely completion of key initiatives. Facilitates project discussions, working sessions, and reviews to maintain momentum and accountability. Identifies risks, dependencies, and resource constraints and develops solutions to mitigate potential impacts. Provides regular updates regarding progress, challenges, and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership teams. Applies strong organizational and project management practices to drive efficient execution and sustainable results.

Stakeholder Partnership & Industry Expertise

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external partners to support collaboration, innovation, and successful execution of strategic initiatives. Partners closely with Culinary Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and other business areas to align priorities and achieve desired outcomes. Provides expertise and recommendations related to food and beverage strategy, product development, market trends, and industry best practices. Represents the department in cross-functional initiatives and business discussions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Communicates complex information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences. Shares knowledge, guidance, and best practices with colleagues to support professional development and operational excellence. Maintains awareness of emerging hospitality and guest experience trends that may influence future business opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Scope: The Food & Beverage Product Strategy Manager plays a key role in advancing the food and beverage strategy across HAL and SBN by translating business priorities into innovative products, programs, and operational improvements. This position supports both shoreside and shipboard stakeholders, ensuring new concepts can be successfully implemented and sustained across the fleet. The role is responsible for managing a portfolio of strategic initiatives that influence guest experience, onboard revenue, operational efficiency, and product consistency. Working across multiple disciplines, the position partners with Culinary, Operations, Information Technology, Marketing, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams to align priorities and drive execution. The role serves as a central point of coordination for innovation efforts, helping ensure ideas move effectively from concept through implementation. As a subject matter expert, the incumbent provides guidance on emerging trends, technology solutions, and best practices that support long-term business objectives. The position requires balancing strategic thinking with practical execution while operating within established budgets, timelines, and organizational priorities. Through broad cross-functional engagement, the role contributes to the continued evolution of the onboard food and beverage experience across both brands..

• Problem Solving: This role requires the ability to evaluate complex business challenges and identify solutions that align guest expectations with operational and financial objectives. The Food & Beverage Product Strategy Manager regularly analyzes market trends, operational performance data, guest feedback, and emerging technologies to determine opportunities for improvement and innovation. The position must assess multiple variables, including implementation feasibility, scalability, resource requirements, regulatory considerations, and potential business impact. Problems often involve ambiguity and require independent judgment to develop practical recommendations in situations where precedents may not exist. The role anticipates challenges that could affect project success and proactively develops mitigation strategies to address risks before they impact operations. Success requires synthesizing information from diverse sources and translating findings into actionable business decisions. The incumbent evaluates alternative approaches, weighs competing priorities, and recommends solutions that support strategic objectives while maintaining operational effectiveness. The role exercises sound judgment and analytical rigor to solve complex issues that influence product performance, process effectiveness, and overall business results.

• Impact: The Food & Beverage Product Strategy Manager has a direct impact on the development and execution of initiatives that enhance the guest experience and support business growth across HAL and SBN. The role influences how food and beverage products, services, and technologies are evaluated, introduced, and optimized throughout the organization. Through innovation, automation, and process improvements, the position contributes to increased operational efficiency, improved consistency, and enhanced guest satisfaction. Recommendations developed by this role may influence investment decisions, implementation priorities, and future strategic direction within the food and beverage function. The position helps establish and promote best practices related to product strategy, innovation management, and performance evaluation. By leveraging data-driven insights and market intelligence, the role supports informed decision-making across multiple business areas. The successful execution of initiatives led by this position contributes to revenue-generating opportunities, operational improvements, and long-term competitive differentiation. Through broad stakeholder engagement and strategic influence, the role helps advance organizational objectives and strengthen the overall guest experience.

• Leadership: This role leads through expertise, influence, and project ownership rather than direct people management. The Food & Beverage Product Strategy Manager is responsible for guiding cross-functional initiatives that bring together stakeholders from multiple disciplines to achieve common business objectives. The position provides leadership throughout the lifecycle of strategic projects, establishing direction, driving alignment, and maintaining accountability for results. Success requires the ability to influence decision-making and build consensus among stakeholders with differing priorities and perspectives. The role serves as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, providing recommendations that support innovation, operational effectiveness, and business performance. The incumbent coordinates resources across departments, facilitates discussions, and ensures clear communication throughout project execution. While the position does not have direct reports, it regularly leads teams through collaboration, shared goals, and effective stakeholder management. By fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution, the role helps advance strategic priorities and achieve sustainable business outcomes.

Essential/Minimal Qualifications:

• Hospitality Management Degree or equivalent experience.

• 3-5 years’ experience on Cruise Ships or related-shoreside role (i.e. high-volume restaurant or hotel environment), focusing on F&B product development and/or operations.

• Experience introducing or working with digital tools, automation, or data-driven processes in a product development or operations setting is strongly preferred.

Essential Experience Required:

• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in food and beverage operations, product development, product strategy, hospitality operations, or a related field.

• Experience developing, evaluating, and implementing food and beverage products, programs, or guest-facing initiatives within a hospitality, travel, cruise, hotel, restaurant, or similar service environment.

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects and strategic initiatives from concept development through implementation and performance evaluation.

• Experience conducting market research, trend analysis, and business assessments to identify opportunities and support strategic decision-making.

• Proven ability to analyze operational, guest, and financial data to develop recommendations that improve business performance and guest satisfaction.

• Experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including operational, commercial, marketing, technology, procurement, and supply chain teams, to drive successful business outcomes.

• Demonstrated experience evaluating business processes and identifying opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency.

• Strong project management experience, including managing multiple concurrent initiatives, balancing competing priorities, and delivering results within established timelines.

• Experience developing business cases, presenting recommendations, and influencing decisions through data-driven insights and effective communication.

Travel: 25-50% with shipboard travel likely

Work Conditions: Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.

Physical Demands:. Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.

This position is classified as “Hybrid.” As a Hybrid role, it requires employees to work from a designated Holland office Monday through Thursday each week. Employees may work from their homes on Fridays.

Holland provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:

What You Can Expect

• Cruise and Travel Privileges for You and Your Family
• Health Benefits
• 401(k)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Training & Professional Development
• Tuition & Professional Certification Reimbursement
• Base Salary Range: $83,200 to $112,300. The range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. Final base salary is directly related to each candidate’s qualifications and experience uniquely.

Our Culture…Stronger Together

Our highest responsibility and top priority is compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside employees. Please visit our site to learn more about our Culture Essentials, Corporate Vision Statement and our Core Values at:

Holland America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Holland America will provide reasonable accommodations with the application process, upon your request, as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact [email protected]

#HAL

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-TM1