Operations Manager Food and Beverage

Overview

The Operations Manager for Food and Beverage plays a crucial leadership role, providing guidance and supervision across catering and all guest interactions to ensure superior service and product quality. This role involves managing the catering team to effectively plan and execute events while fostering strong client relationships. The manager is also tasked with direct sales efforts targeting international markets and local accounts for group bookings, conventions, and various dining events. Reporting directly to the Director of Food and Beverage, this position demands achieving budgeted revenue goals without compromising service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure efficient, prompt, and courteous service aiming to surpass guest satisfaction and encourage repeat visits.
• Establish and uphold service standards, inspire and lead the team, handle coaching, counseling, and disciplinary actions, manage scheduling, participate in staffing decisions, conduct performance reviews, and resolve operational issues.
• Conduct orientation and induction programs for staff, implement annual training plans, and deliver technical training for job knowledge.
• Attend department meetings, conduct daily briefings, and relay important feedback to management.
• Monitor productivity, apply cost control measures, and prepare accurate monthly forecasts including covers, revenue, expenses, gross operating profit, and capital equipment budgets.
• Maintain grooming and appearance standards among associates.
• Drive effective upselling and marketing efforts for outlets, oversee merchandising quality, provide ongoing support to team members in daily operational tasks, and assist in operational analysis for service quality, guest satisfaction, costs, and merchandising.
• Build positive relationships with associates, treat staff fairly, and ensure staffing and productivity align with department needs under the Director’s guidance.
• Keep abreast of market trends regarding competition, pricing, and sales strategies, and collaborate on menu planning, pricing, and event decorations to enhance client experiences.
• Regularly review and update event bookings, monitor tentative bookings, and assist with new menu and beverage list compilation.
• Oversee preparation, presentation, and service standards for all food and beverage products.
• Assist in various administrative tasks such as departmental reporting, checklists, and strategic planning efforts related to catering and conventions.
• Update and maximize the use of sales and catering software in collaboration with sales and marketing teams.
• Participate actively in weekly Food and Beverage meetings and assume the director’s responsibilities during absences.
• Maintain compliance with HACCP, local hygiene standards, brand, Forbes, and LQA service and quality standards, ensuring consistent representation of brand values.

Qualifications

• At least five years of relevant experience in a luxury or ultra-luxury hospitality environment.
• College degree or an equivalent level of professional experience.
• Attention to detail, ability to prioritize and organize tasks, clear thinking under pressure, teamwork orientation, confidentiality maintenance, and minimal supervision required.
• Deep understanding of banquet, room service, and dining operations, knowledge of local and imported wines, budgeting proficiency, and expertise in designing operational standards and quality control procedures.
• Competence in financial statement interpretation, goal setting for teams, resourcefulness, creativity, flexibility, and leadership skills including training, motivation, coaching, and evaluation.
• Strong numerical skills including advanced math with various measurement units and advanced computer literacy for operational data management.
• Excellent communication skills for guest negotiation and staff management, with ability to remain calm and productive in high-pressure situations.
• Fluency in English is required; additional language skills are advantageous.
• Physical ability to perform work duties including mobility and effective communication throughout work areas.
• No specific licenses or certifications are required.