Head Waiter for Swan Hellenic Cruises

V.Ships Leisure is looking for Head Waiter on behalf of Swan Hellenic Cruises.

Key Responsibilities

• Adherence to the company’s health and hygiene standards in line with the acceptable Public Health Sanitation Programs and EU SHIPSAN procedures.
• Ensuring a safe operation and working practice of the Dining Department and any related matters affecting the safety of the ship, guests, and crew.
• Informing the Restaurant and Bar Manager immediately of any occurrence affecting the safe operation of the ship or the safety of persons onboard and/or the quality of services offered to guests.
• Liaising with other departments to ensure safe food temperatures throughout preparation and service.
• Ensuring the welfare and discipline of all members of the Dining department, including behavior whilst in guest public areas, in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Ensuring the completion, checking and filing of food safety record logs in accordance with the acceptable Public Health Sanitation Programs and EU SHIPSAN procedures.
• Reporting defects or malfunctions of safety equipment and appliances e.g. expired or empty fire extinguishers, defective fire doors, broken or missing lifejackets, broken fire buttons, safety posters missing, etc.
• Ensuring dining personnel are qualified in food hygiene to a level commensurate with the type of food they handle and as determined by the acceptable Public Health Sanitation Programs and EU SHIPSAN procedures.
• Reporting defective dining equipment and required maintenance immediately to ensure the safe and hygienic operation of the ship.
• Participating fully in safety drills and statutory inspections commensurate to the role and as per company policies and procedures.
• Ensuring minimum dining manning to comply with the In-Port Manning plan in accordance with international maritime law.
• Ensuring departmental compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention directive on working hours.
• Leading and directing the team in applying correct security measures.
• Environmental stewardship is central to this role and the entire operation of the ship. This role will engage in, comply with and promote all environmental regulations and policies, actively working with the Dining Team and guests to promote sustainability and protection of the environment in all aspects of life on board.
• Efficient day to day management of the Dining department, including, but not limited to, managing, monitoring, developing and training team members, ensuring an efficient and cost-effective dining service operation.
• Ensuring adequate resourcing of teams, completing appraisals, identifying development opportunities and supporting senior staff to guide, motivate and direct their respective teams.
• Managing the following ranks: Bartender, Sommelier, Waiter, Restaurant Utility, Messman.
• Achieving the lowest possible food, inventory and linen cost and minimum waste and breakage while serving food for guests, officers and crew to a quantity and standard that ensures customer satisfaction across all areas.
• Managing restaurant seating software, allocating tables and making reservations in accordance with guest preferences and group size.
• Preparing dining requisitions to achieve efficient consumption analysis against the food, inventory and linen cost, supervising and training staff where necessary.
• Inspecting food quality and reporting rejected items to the Executive Chef and Restaurant and Bar Manager.
• Preparing dining routines, section plans and rotations in accordance with operational needs and the Maritime Labour Convention.
• Supervising the handling and preparation of food items and ready to eat products to ensure the highest standards of food hygiene, food safety and food and drink presentation at every stage.
• Supervising the handling and preparation of crockery, glassware, cutlery and linen to ensure the highest standards of food hygiene, food safety and food and drink presentation at every stage.
• Ensuring a smooth and efficient food service experience for guests, officers and crew.
• Contributing to the implementation of new dining concepts and service experiences, making crockery, cutlery, linen and glassware recommendations.
• Effectively communicating menu changes and training staff to ensure smooth implementation.
• Meeting the specific dietary needs of guests, officers and crew.
• Ensuring effective communication and teamwork between the dining team and galley.
• Reporting maintenance defects in line with company policies and procedures.
• Reviewing daily guest feedback with the Restaurant and Bar Manager’ and, where applicable, agreeing appropriate outcomes to ensure effective complaint resolution.
• Ensuring the planning, organization and setup of onboard functions and events in conjunction with the Restaurant and Bar Manager.
• Managing and promoting specialty dining outlets.
• Managing stock takes in accordance with company policy and procedures.
• Ensuring the publication of correct daily dining room opening and closing times.
• Scheduling additional duties, including, but not limited to, embarkation, disembarkation, gangway duties, storing, light luggage, wheelchair assistance, cocktail parties, cocktail and canapé service in the bars and refreshment service during tour dispatch and return.
• Ensuring cleaning standards and schedules for the dining area, pantry, refrigerators, ambient store cupboards and ice machines are adhered to and logs maintained in accordance with acceptable Public Health Sanitation Programs and EU SHIPSAN procedures.
• Completing daily, weekly and end of cruise reports and documentation in accordance with company policy and procedures.
• Conducting daily inspections of dining outlets to ensure correct stock rotation of food and drink according to use by and best before dates (FIFO).
• Effective delegation of garbage duties to ensure safe disposal and environmental compliance in accordance with company policy and procedures.
• Ensuring daily food, inventory, crockery, glassware and linen consumption reporting in accordance with company policy and procedures.
• Contributing to daily meal count completion and reporting in accordance with company policy and procedures.

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Valid STCW certificates
• Seamans Book
• Ship Experience

About Swan Hellenic

Are you looking to continue your career in remote polar regions and truly off-the-beaten path destinations?

Swan Hellenic is an established, well respected owner-operated heritage brand with more than 7 decades of expertise in undiscovered destinations.

Swan Hellenic exists to provide its guests with authentic, intimate and unforgettable moments in extraordinary locations and remote landmarks. All the while enjoying a sophisticated elegant atmosphere onboard. Are you interested in ensuring Swan Hellenic maintain their high levels of service?