Director of Food & Beverage

Functions as the strategic business leader of the property s food and beverage/culinary operation, including Restaurants/Bars, Room Service and Banquets/Catering, where applicable
Position oversees the development and implementation of departmental strategies and ensures implementation of the brand service strategy and brand initiatives
The position ensures the food and beverage/culinary operation meets the brand s target customer needs, ensures employee satisfaction, and focuses on growing revenues and maximizing the financial performance of the department
Develops and implements property-wide strategies that deliver products and services to meet or exceed the needs and expectations of the brand s target customer and property employees and provides a return on investment

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED; 6 years experience in the food and beverage, culinary, event management, or related professional area

OR

2-year degree from an accredited university in Food Service Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related major; 4 years experience in the food and beverage, culinary, event management, or related professional area

Skills and Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services
This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction

Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources

Applied Business Knowledge - Understanding market dynamics, enterprise level objectives and important aspects of the company s business to accurately diagnose strengths and weaknesses, anticipate opportunities and risks, identify issues, and develop strategies and plans
Aligning individual and team actions with strategies and plans to drive business results

Management of Material Resources - Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Developing and Maintaining Food and Beverage/Culinary Goals

Sets expectations and holds food and beverage leadership team accountable for demonstrating desired service behaviors

Reviews financial reports and statements to determine how Food and Beverage is performing against budget

Makes recommendations for CAPEX funding of food and beverage equipment and renovations in accordance with brand business strategy

Works with food and beverage leadership team to determine areas of concern and develops strategies to improve the department s financial performance

Establishes challenging, realistic and obtainable goals to guide operation and performance

Strives to improve service performance

Developing and Maintaining Budgets

Develops and manages Food and Beverage budget

Monitors the department s actual and projected sales to ensure revenue goals are met or exceeded and opportunities are identified and addressed

Ensures cash control and liquor control policies are in place in food beverage areas and followed by all related employees

Focuses on maintaining profit margins without compromising guest or employee satisfaction

Leading Food and Beverage/Culinary Team

Utilizes interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others; advocates sound financial/business decision making; demonstrates honesty/integrity; leads by example

Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members

Achieves and exceeds goals including performance goals, budget goals, team goals, etc

Serves as a role model to demonstrate appropriate behaviors

Develops means to improve profit, including estimating cost and benefit, exploring new business opportunities, etc

Identifies opportunities to increase profits and create value by challenging existing processes, encouraging innovation and driving necessary change

Ensures that regular, on-going communication occurs in all areas of food and beverage (e
g
, pre-meal briefings, staff meetings, culinary team)

Establishes and maintains open, collaborative relationships with direct reports and entire food beverage team
Ensures direct reports do the same for their team

Develops a food and beverage operating strategy that is aligned with the brand s business strategy and leads its execution

Identifies the developmental needs of others and coaches, mentors, or otherwise helps others to improve their knowledge or skills

Stays aware of market trends and introduces new food and beverage products to meet or exceed customer expectations, generate increased revenue and ensure a competitive position in the market

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service

Provides services that are above and beyond for customer satisfaction and retention

Improves service by communicating and assisting individuals to understand guest needs, providing guidance, feedback, and individual coaching when needed

Reviews findings from comment cards and guest satisfaction results with FB team and ensures appropriate corrective action is taken

Reviews comment cards, guest satisfaction results and other data to identify areas of improvement

Empowers employees to provide excellent guest service

Estimates cost and benefit ratio, maintaining balance between profit and service satisfaction

Shares plans to take corrective action based on comment cards and guest satisfaction results with property leadership

Managing and Conducting Human Resource Activities

Provides guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance

Coaches and supports food beverage leadership team to effectively manage wages, food beverage cost and controllable expenses (e
g
, restaurant supplies, uniforms, etc
)

Hires food beverage leadership team members who demonstrate strong functional expertise, creativity and entrepreneurial leadership to meet the business needs of the operation

Sets goals and expectations for direct reports using the performance review process and holds staff accountable for successful performance

Ensures that expectations and objectives are clearly communicated to subordinates; subordinates are also open to raise questions and/or concerns

Brings issues to the attention of Human Resources as necessary

Ensures employees are treated fairly and equitably

Coaches team by providing specific feedback to improve performance

Additional Responsibilities

Informs and/or update the executives, the peers and the subordinates on relevant information in a timely manner

Provides information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person

Analyzes information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems

Estimate food, liquor, wine, and other beverage consumption in order to anticipate amounts to be purchased or requisitioned

Order and purchase equipment and supplies