Chief Steward

About Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach

Located in the vibrant heart of Broadbeach, Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach combines French elegance with relaxed beachside charm. With 296 well-appointed rooms offering scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and hinterland, the hotel features dynamic dining venues that embody the spirit of Sofitel. Hospitality here goes beyond service—each experience is warm, lively, and meticulously refined, delivered by passionate team members dedicated to creating memorable moments.

Role Overview

As the Chief Steward, you will lead the Stewarding Department, taking full responsibility for hygiene, sanitation, safety, and equipment readiness that support every dish served at the hotel. Reporting directly to the Executive Chef, you will oversee a diverse team across multiple shifts, ensure strict adherence to HACCP standards and audit requirements, manage labor and chemical expenses, and maintain spotless kitchens, outlets, and banquet areas. This leadership position requires a hands-on approach focused on unseen yet essential standards that greatly impact guest satisfaction.

Key Duties

• Oversee daily operations of the Stewarding Department, allocating tasks based on occupancy, outlet activity, and event schedules.
• Facilitate clear pre-shift briefings and effective shift handovers, ensuring follow-up on outstanding issues.
• Design, implement, and monitor detailed cleaning schedules for kitchens, back-of-house venues, storerooms, loading zones, and waste management areas across daily, weekly, monthly, and periodic cycles.
• Organize and supervise deep cleaning projects including overnight operations, ensuring proper staffing, access, safety measures, and documentation of completion.
• Ensure stewarding procedures comply with HACCP protocols, food safety standards, brand requirements, and legal regulations to maintain audit readiness.
• Regularly monitor dishwasher and glasswasher temperatures, chemical usage, and recordkeeping, investigating and resolving any deviations.
• Promote workplace health and safety by enforcing chemical labeling, storage, dilution practices, current Safety Data Sheets availability, personal protective equipment compliance, and prompt hazard reporting.
• Create and manage staff rosters aligned with business forecasts, Award guidelines and labor budgets, reviewing labor efficiency relative to covers and events.
• Maintain required inventory levels of china, glassware, cutlery, silverware, and banquet equipment, coordinating supplies for outlets and special events.
• Conduct spot checks, scheduled inventory counts, and breakage investigations, supporting replacement and capital expenditure planning.
• Control costs related to chemicals, cleaning supplies, and labor within set budgets, contributing to departmental financial planning and cost-saving efforts.

Candidate Profile

• Previous experience supervising or managing stewarding, kitchen operations, or hospitality cleaning in a high-volume setting; experience in luxury hotels, large banquets, or multi-outlet environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, sanitation systems, chemical safety, and workplace health and safety compliance.
• Proven capability in staff rostering, labor cost management, inventory control, breakage reporting, and equipment oversight.
• Leadership skills to motivate and develop a diverse team across multiple shifts while managing competing operational demands.
• Excellent organizational, communication, follow-up, and problem-solving skills with the confidence to enforce standards and corrective actions.
• Familiarity with digital systems for rostering, maintenance, incident tracking, and administration.
• A practical, reliable approach with keen attention to detail and the ability to remain composed under pressure.
• Desirable qualifications include Food Safety Supervisor certification or similar and current first aid certification.
• Physical fitness to handle extended periods of standing and walking, lifting, carrying, and working safely with cleaning chemicals is necessary.
• Flexibility to work on a seven-day schedule including weekends, public holidays, early mornings, evenings, and approved overnight tasks.

Additional Benefits

• A freshly prepared chef’s meal provided free with every shift.
• Uniform laundering services to ensure professional attire.
• One complimentary night’s stay at Sofitel with breakfast annually to celebrate work anniversaries.
• Access to global discounts within Accor’s network of hotels, restaurants, and experiences.
• One paid day off during the employee's birthday month.
• Customized rewards program tailored to individual lifestyles.
• Discounted on-site parking, secure bicycle storage, and convenient public transport options.
• Close proximity to Broadbeach’s popular dining, shopping, and beach locations.
• Leadership committed to employee development, coaching, and career growth.
• A prestigious global brand known for French luxury hospitality standards.

Additional Information

Applicants must have current Australian working rights. The company is committed to diversity and inclusion and is willing to provide recruitment process adjustments if needed to support candidates.