Garden of Lights Concessions Manager

This is a temporary, seasonal, part-time position. Shifts are Wednesday through Sunday evenings, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and ending after guests have departed and teardown is complete, from November 18, 2026 through January 10, 2027, with a maximum of 25 hours per week. The event is closed December 24, December 25, December 31, and January 1.
The Garden of Lights Concessions Manager oversees the day-to-day operation of all concessions at Garden of Lights, one of the college’s premier community engagement events hosted at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens. Concessions include cold drinks, hot drinks (hot chocolate and cider), stuffed animals, light-up toys, and wearables sold from four to six point-of-sale (POS) locations.
This position is on the move, rotating among all POS locations throughout the evening to keep them well stocked, attractively displayed, clean, and running smoothly. The Concessions Manager jumps in to help when lines are long or a customer has an issue, and recommends staffing changes to the Nightly Event Manager as needs arise.
This is a family event, and quick, friendly concessions service is key to an excellent guest experience. Garden of Lights is a fast-paced event, with new groups of guests arriving every 30 minutes, so stock levels and lines must be watched closely all evening.
Works as part of the Garden of Lights event team, in close coordination with the Nightly Event Manager and concessions staff, and follows all food-safety, point-of-sale, and safety procedures.Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Shifts are Wednesday–Sunday, November 18, 2026 – January 10, 2027 (closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1), beginning at 4:30 p.m. for setup and ending after guests have departed and teardown is complete, with a maximum of 25 hours per week. Garden of Lights is a cashless event. Consistent evening and weekend availability is required throughout the season.
Setup (Beginning at 4:30 p.m., Before Doors Open):

• Set up all four to six POS locations each night before doors open.
• Stock each location with drinks, cups, lids, and merchandise, and arrange merchandise on display in a neat, attractive, and eye-catching way.
• Make sure cold drinks are cold and hot drinks (hot chocolate and cider) are hot and ready to serve, following food-safety procedures.
• Confirm POS devices are charged, working, and ready for card and mobile payments.
• Brief concessions staff on the night’s products, prices, any sold-out items, and procedures.

May include other duties as they arise assigned by the Executive Director of the Gardens or Nightly Event Manager
During the Event (Rotating Among All POS Locations):

• Rotate continuously among the four to six POS locations throughout the evening.
• Monitor and restock product at each location so every POS stays well stocked and displays stay attractive.
• Check that cold drinks stay cold and hot drinks stay hot, and that food-safety procedures are followed.
• Manage lines at each location to keep them organized, safe, and moving.
• Jump in to serve guests when lines are long, and step in to resolve customer issues such as payment problems, product questions, or complaints.
• Recommend staffing changes to the Nightly Event Manager as needs arise, such as moving a Floater to a busy location.
• Update sold-out signs as needed and let staff know about product changes.
• Make sure work spaces at each location are clean, organized, and safe.
• Make sure POS devices are used with care and report any device problems immediately.

Teardown (After Guests Have Departed):

• Tear down each POS location after guests have departed, and secure products and equipment.
• Restock all locations so they are ready for the next evening’s event.
• Charge all POS devices and other equipment for the next evening.
• Clean and sanitize drink stations and work spaces, and safely store food and drink supplies.
• Track inventory and sales, and report low stock, reorder needs, and any issues to the Nightly Event Manager.
• Success in this role will be measured by product availability, attractive displays, short lines, accurate sales, guest satisfaction, clean work spaces, and readiness for each night’s event.

Required education and experience:
[Indicate requirements that are job-related and consistent with business necessity]

Minimum of two (2) years of experience in retail, concessions, food and beverage service, or hospitality, including lead or supervisory experience. Experience with inventory, stocking, and merchandise display. Comfortable using point-of-sale (POS) systems and handling card and mobile payments. Knowledge of food-safety practices, including holding hot and cold beverages at safe temperatures. Strong customer service skills and the ability to calmly resolve customer issues. Ability to manage multiple locations at once, think quickly, and adjust to changing crowd levels. Clear communication skills and the ability to work well with event staff and the Nightly Event Manager. Dependable and punctual, with availability for Wednesday–Sunday evening shifts beginning at 4:30 p.m. throughout the event season.

Preferred education and experience:
[Indicate requirements that are job-related and consistent with business necessity]

Concessions or merchandise experience at large public events, festivals, or venues. Food handler or food safety manager certification (e.g., ServSafe), or willingness to obtain. Experience with visual merchandising. Familiarity with the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens. CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).

Does this position supervise others? No