Job Description Summary

The Director of Hotel Food & Beverage Operations is responsible for food and beverage daily operations, including Culinary, Restaurants/Bars, Room Service and Banquets, 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 customer needs, ensures employee satisfaction, and focuses on growing revenues and maximizing the financial performance of the department.
Director of Hotel Food & Beverage Operations is responsible for directing and managing the Food and Beverage function within the property and for maintaining the Food and Beverage quality and service standards as well as driving profits.
Sonesta managers are charged with providing strategic vision, ensuring tactical execution, and actively managing their department to achieve the company’s revenue and profitability goals and objectives. In this role, the Director of Hotel Food and Beverage Operations is expected to participate in the management of the hotel as a member of the Executive Committee.


The ideal candidate has a passion for building and motivating teams that achieve results. Sonesta managers are guest-focused (both internal and external) and achievement-oriented leaders.

Job Description

Operational/Functional:

Plan and direct all day-to-day functions of the Food and Beverage department and consistently meet and exceed established goals.Supervises staffing levels to ensure that guest service, operational needs and financial objectives are met.Implement all hotel and company policies. Implement effective food and beverage and labor cost controls.Establish prices and menus for each F&B outlet based on profitability and local competition. Monitor the competition, review service satisfaction scores, and make appropriate recommendations to maintain the competitive edge.Assign and delegate task to managers of the different F&B sub-departments and ensure that profit objectives, service standards, food quality, safety and cleanliness standards are met and exceeded.Manage all service aspects of the Food and Beverage department.Maintain a professional atmosphere throughout the Food and Beverage division.Ensure all Sonesta safety and sanitation standards are adhered to; this includes all local liquor and food safety regulations.Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming.Perform other duties and projects as requested by management.

Developing and Maintaining Food and Beverage/Culinary Goals

Establish the annual plan, the monthly forecast, and the marketing plan.  Follow-up on Capital Budget and all repairs and maintenance items related to the Food and Beverage operations.Sets expectations and holds food and beverage leadership team accountable for demonstrating desired service behaviors.Makes recommendations for funding of food and beverage equipment and renovations in accordance with brand business strategy.Works with food and beverage leadership team to determine areas of concern and develops strategies to improve the department’s financial performance.Direct and complete scheduled inventories.Develop and implement weekly work schedules for all food and beverage outlets in accordance with staffing guidelines and labor forecasts.Adjust schedules throughout the week to meet the business demands.Collaborate with the Executive Chef and Food and Beverage and Catering managers to develop attractive prices and menus for each F&B outlet, based on profitability and local competition.Identifies opportunities to increase profits and create value by challenging existing processes, encourages innovation and drives necessary change.Identifies opportunities to increase profits and create value by challenging existing processes, encourages innovation and drives necessary change.

Financial Management:

Monitor payroll in the department ensuring meal breaks is taken and timecards are accurate.Manage the operating budget and achieve all revenue and expense targets.Develop and monitor the food and beverage budget and the forecasting process.Monitors the department’s actual and projected sales to ensure revenue goals are met or exceeded and opportunities are identified and addressed.Ensures cash control and liquor control policies are in place in food & beverage areas and followed by all related employees.

Managing your Team:

Interview, hire, train, and promote Food and Beverage staff. Provide constructive and consistent feedback and recommend disciplinary action when appropriate.Coach and train the Food and Beverage leadership team and hold them accountable for their performance. Ensure they do the same for their respective teams.Ensure all F&B employees receive proper training applicable to their position and career aspirations in accordance with company policy and/or local laws.Manage the performance evaluation process of all team members.Ensure employees are treated fairly and equitably.Coach team by providing specific feedback to improve knowledge, skills, and performance.Establish and maintain open, collaborative relationships with direct reports and entire Food & Beverage including the culinary team. Ensures direct reports do the same for their teams.Ensures that regular, on-going communication occurs in all areas of food and beverage (e.g., pre-meal briefings, staff meetings, culinary team).

Leading with Passion:

Utilize and collaborate with resources across different departments and corporate office.Motivate employees to perform to their highest standard and establish a trusting environment to enrich the culture.Focus on the mission and well-being of the division, hotel, and company.Lead by example and operate with integrity and respect.Inspire your team to embrace and demonstrate Sonesta’s core values and the guest service standards.

     Qualifications and Skills

Complete knowledge of every F&B related subject in a first-class property.Must be able to handle pressure in fast paced environment.Union experience preferredExcellent oral and written communication.Excellent organization skills.Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Familiarity with Food and Beverage cost controls.Must have the ability to motivate restaurant staff and maintain a cohesive team.Must be able to suggestively sell menu items, beverages, and wines.Must be able to endure abundant physical movements in carrying out job duties.Work Environment

The person in this role works mostly in a service environment, with some office time reserved for administrative tasks.

Physical Demands

The person in this role may be exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly. Must be able to push and pull carts and equipment weighing up to 250 lbs. occasionally.

The person in this role may be asked to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.Must be able to tolerate extreme temperatures - i.e., freezers, loading dock.Expected Hours of Work:

Must be flexible to work variable days of the week to include weekends and holidays.

Must be flexible to work variable shifts (days, nights, overnights).Ten to twelve hour shifts sometimes required.

Education and Experience

High school graduate, some college or equivalent. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.Must have seven years’ experience in the management of Food and Beverage operations. Culinary, sales and service background are required.Experience in several F&B departments is required.Must be able obtain and maintain any required licenses, certificates and permits.

Additional Job Information/Anticipated

Pay Range

$125,000 - $145,000 -  Base pay offered may vary depending on various factors including but not limited to job related knowledge, skills and job specific experience/overall experience.

Benefits

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

Medical, Dental and Vision InsuranceHealth Savings Account with Company Match401(k) Retirement Plan with Company MatchPaid Vacation and Sick DaysSonesta Hotel DiscountsEducational AssistancePaid Parental LeaveCompany Paid Life InsuranceCompany Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability InsuranceVarious Employee Perks and DiscountsHospital IndemnityCritical Illness InsuranceAccident Insurance

Upon submitting your application, please ensure you complete a full application in addition to attaching a resume. Incomplete applications received will not be considered. 

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the

Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.