Assistant Director of Food

Join a legacy of excellence at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, where we craft memorable experiences for our guests & create the Ritz-Carlton mystique.

We are seeking a passionate and strategic Assistant Director of Food & Beverage to support the leadership of our multi-venue operation, encompassing our Signature Restaurant, Bar, In-Room Dining, Honour Bar, and Banquet spaces on a Full-Time basis. We are specifically seeking candidates with a strong hotel background, who understand the operational structure and service standards within a luxury hospitality environment. 

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, only candidates with full working rights in Australia will be considered. 

JOB SUMMARY

Assists in leading the property's food and beverage/culinary operation, including Restaurant, Bar, In Room Dining, Honour Bar 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 client needs, ensures employee satisfaction, focuses on growing revenues and maximizes the financial performance of the department.  Delivers 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. 

Core Responsibilities: 

Participates in and practices Service Values, Three Steps of Service, Employee Promise and Credo to create the Ritz-Carlton mystique.

Developing and Executing Food and Beverage Strategy and Goals

•    Works with direct reports to develop and implement promotions, food and wine pairings, menu items and presentations.

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

•    Ensures integration of departmental goals in game plans.

Leading Food and Beverage Teams

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

•    Sets goals and expectations for direct reports using the Leadership Performance Process (LPP), aligns performance and rewards, addresses performance issues and holds staff accountable for successful results. 

•    Works with direct reports to review business in house and potential business in surrounding area and troubleshoot potential challenges/conflicts.

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

•    Reviews staffing levels to ensure that guest service and operational needs are met.

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

•    Provides feedback to employees based on observation of service behaviors.

•    Utilizes employee feedback and an "open door" policy to identify and address employee problems or concerns in a timely manner.

•    Communicates critical information gained from pre- and post-convention meetings to areas of responsibility.

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

•    Order and purchase equipment and supplies.

Maximizing Food and Beverage Revenue

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

•    Involved in preparation and execution of the annual budget process and business plan strategies

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

•    Encourages calculated risk-taking to generate incremental revenue and deliver Savvy Service.

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service

•    Creates an atmosphere in all food and beverage areas that meets or exceeds guest expectations.

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

•    Strives to improve service performance.

Managing and Conducting Human Resource Activities

•    Ensures property policies are administered fairly and consistently; disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Standard and Local Operating Procedures (SOPs and LSOPs) and supports the Peer Review Process.

•    Conducts annual performance appraisals with direct reports according to Standard Operating Procedures.

•    Communicates and executes departmental and property emergency procedures.

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

•    Ensures new hires participate in the department's orientation program and receive the appropriate new hire training to successfully perform their job.

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

•    Establishes guidelines so employees understand expectations and parameters.

•    Ensures employees receive on-going training to understand guest expectations.

•    Forecasts talent needs and manages talent acquisition strategy with Human Resources (HR) to minimize lost time due to turnover. 

•    Maintains an active list of the competition's best sales people and executes a recruitment and acquisition plan with HR. 

Our Benefits:
 

• Exclusive staff discounts on food and beverage and hotel rooms (including all properties within the Marriott International group) for you, your family and friends
• Be part of Life with the Works program where you can enjoy flexible working hours & locations, time off to pursue your passion through sabbatical leave, and paid leave during your birthday month
• Grow, develop, and progress with internationally recognised training programs, unlimited strategic development and exciting career opportunities within the Marriott International group
• Genuine care for associates' physical, emotional and financial wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Program
• Opportunity to receive Employee Referral Incentives and get paid for working with your friend

Work for the Largest Hotel Network in the World which values equality, diversity and inclusiveness

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is part of Marriott International's Luxury portfolio, which has committed to putting people first for 90+ years. Apply now

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and recognize that true diversity includes gender, age, race, disability status, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education levels, and many more aspects of your identity.
Marriott is committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible for all. If you have disability, illness or injury, we know that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. If you would like to reach out to someone to discuss adjustments and our recruitment process, please email us