Food & Beverage Director

Directs and oversees all aspects of the vessel’s Food & Beverage (F&B) planning and service, with duties to include menu execution and cost control, preparation and presentation of food and drinks, and adherence to quality and safety standards. Plans, coordinates, and oversees special events. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

Comply with company policy regarding waste separation and environmental compliance.
Conduct regular training with all departmental team members on food waste separation and environmental compliance as per Global Hess policies.
Ensures the highest level of guest satisfaction by providing premium F&B services while aligning with Holland America Line’s brand standards.
Oversees, plans and coordinates the day-to-day aspects of all F&B Operations onboard the vessel.
Through various support programs & reporting tools both onboard and ashore, provides analysis and establishes action plans for the F&B department based on the feedback from electronic Guest Surveys (eGSS) as well as other guest feedback and problem tracking programs (IssuTrax; Share Your Thoughts cards; etc.)
Oversees and directs the performance of the Managers and Supervisors of the F&B Department including but not limited to the Restaurant Operations Manager; Executive Chef; Beverage Manager; Sanitation Officer; Provision Master Etc. In coordination with the relevant shoreside Department Head, regularly reviews the performance of individual Managers and provides direction and goals to maximize performance levels. Oversees the performance review of the Managers’ direct reports (i.e. Maître’ D; Executive Sous Chef; Assistant Maître’ D)
Establishes and maintains effective internal communications and oversight of the F&B department performance through regular meetings fostering teamwork, productivity and efficiencies.
Develops new brand-centric initiatives, programs and innovative hospitality concepts for review and approval by applicable GEPD department heads ashore for potential testing and implementation within the HAL brand
Regularly oversees relevant ship-to-shore communications on performance monitoring, brand standards, service enhancements and roll-out of new initiatives.
Ensures that all safety & security policies and procedures are in place and followed by all hotel department employees to maintain the wellbeing of all guests and team members.
Conducts regular inspections along with Managers of the F&B Department of all areas of the department and follows up on defects and action plans identified as a result of those inspections.
Oversees compliance in the F&B Department of all ECP, HESS and VSP policies and procedures.
Ensures that all Accounting and Financial policies and procedures are followed and complied with. Regularly reviews all cost center expenditures for the F&B department in relation to Budget expectations – develops action plans and follow-up to adverse variances and reports appropriately to relevant department heads shoreside.
Responsible for satisfactory inventory & purchasing management in all areas of the F&B department.
Continually updates the onboard senior leadership team regarding shipboard performance in the areas of financials and guest satisfaction.
Establishes and maintains a prominent level of visibility and involvement throughout the ship and in business, social and governmental communities as appropriate.
Oversees, in conjunction with the onboard senior leadership team all aspects of the team member social & welfare programming and ensures all back-of-house & team member areas are well maintained and in accordance with brand standards.
Champions the use of the Navigator App experience tools to drive greater onboard revenue and guest satisfaction performance.
Perform other job-related functions as assigned.
General Responsibilities
Builds strong teams and fosters collaboration.
Leads by example and providing regular and focused performance feedback, thus creating a dynamic team.
Acts as a corporate & brand ambassador with the onboard teams supporting and driving all long-term company goals and brand direction.
Fosters regular and structured communications between vessel and shoreside departments.
Always maintains a visible presence throughout the vessel and encourage meaningful and strong guest interaction by you and the F&B department officers.
Promotes efficiencies in time management and resources through holding structured, documented and concise meetings and inspections.
Exercises emotional intelligence to communicate effectively throughout all levels of the operation
Instrumental in accurate and effective budgeting
Demonstrates strong financial responsibility, working together with relevant department heads for day-to-day oversight as well as Voyage/Monthly/YTD overview with an expectation to meet and/or exceed targets.
Encourages input of direct reporting management – create a team of ‘stakeholders’ who provide ‘collaborative leadership’ and feedback across all aspects of the operation, thus maintaining set standards and execution of relevant policies and procedures.