Director, Buffet & Fast Casual Dining

Where passion meets opportunity

The best of your adventures is the one you have yet to sail!

Your Purpose

The Director of Buffet & Fast Casual Dining is a senior leadership role responsible for owning and elevating the buffet and fast casual dining experiences across our entire cruise fleet. This individual will ensure seamless operational execution, uphold brand standards, drive culinary innovation with regional adaptations, and deliver best-in-class guest satisfaction while managing the full profit & loss for the buffet operation.

Your Impact

• Strategic Leadership & P&L Ownership

• Develop and execute the long-term strategy for buffet and fast casual dining concepts fleet-wide.
• Manage the hotel and crew profit and loss statement for all Buffet operations, setting financial targets, monitoring performance, and implementing corrective actions to achieve budgetary goals.

• Operational Excellence

• Oversee day-to-day buffet and fast casual service operations across all ships, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Standardise operating procedures, workflows, and service protocols to deliver a seamless guest experience.

• Brand Standards & Quality Control

• Own and enforce brand standards for presentation, service, and ambiance in all Buffet and fast casual outlets.
• Conduct regular quality audits (both in-port and at sea) and partner with onboard leadership to address any gaps immediately.
• Maintain the integrity and uniqueness of Buffet concept onboard, ensuring thematic consistency, ambiance, and service excellence.
• Define and enforce service protocols, table settings, ambiance guidelines, and presentation standards to ensure a cohesive, high-end dining atmosphere.
• Supervise daily dining room operations in collaboration with shipboard teams, optimizing seating flows, reservation management, and guest communications.
• Analyse operational metrics (e.g., covers per hour, table turnaround time) and guest feedback to drive continuous improvement plans

• Culinary Innovation & Regional Adaptation

• Stay abreast of global Buffet dining trends and guest preferences to introduce innovative concepts and experiences that enhance the onboard offering
• Partner with corporate and culinary director to drive regional inspired menus 80/20, themed dinners, and specialty dining events that balance creativity with operational scalability

• Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Main Dining Managers, Maîtres d’, Sommeliers, and service trainers across the fleet.
• Establish clear KPIs, deliver ongoing training programs, and conduct performance reviews to foster a culture of service excellence.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the Culinary team, entertainment team and the onboard team, to ensure onboard guest flow is managed to ensure that Buffets are not overcrowded
• Serve as the primary liaison to the VP of Food & Beverage, providing regular updates on operational metrics, guest feedback, and strategic initiatives.
• Work with the Onboard Revenue team to achieve financial goals, including revenue growth, profitability, and guest satisfaction metrics.

• Guest Feedback & Continuous Improvement

• Analyse guest satisfaction data, reviews, and market insights to identify areas for enhancement and innovation.

Your Journey so far

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s preferred.

• 10+ years’ progressive leadership experience in large-scale buffet or quick-service/hospitality operations, preferably within cruise lines, resorts, or major hospitality brands.

• Demonstrated P&L management success with budgets exceeding $50M annually.

• Proven track record in developing and implementing brand standards and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Technical Proficiencies: Familiarity with hospitality management systems (e.g., POS, inventory control, ERP) and data analytics tools.

• Travel: Willingness to travel frequently (up to 50–60%) to conduct onboard visits, audits, and shore-based team engagement.

Your Essentials

• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills to drive profitability while maintaining high service standards.

• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and align cross-functional teams.

• Deep understanding of global culinary trends, regional cuisines, and operational scalability.

Our commitment

We are committed to building a future that values diverse perspectives, embraces the world beyond borders, and fosters an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves. Our commitment extends to taking meaningful, measurable actions that have a long-term positive impact on our guests, our employees and our planet.

Ready to turn your passion into something extraordinary? Join us at MSC Cruises, where new opportunities await. Apply today to be part of a global team that is pushing boundaries and achieving something remarkable. Your journey starts here!