Job Description:
Position: Head Waiter
Responsibilities:
- Dining Service Management: Supervise and coordinate all aspects of the dining service, including restaurant operations, buffet service, and special dining events, ensuring smooth and efficient service delivery.
- Guest Relations: Provide personalized and attentive service to guests, creating a welcoming and comfortable dining environment. Address guest inquiries, concerns, and special requests in a professional and prompt manner.
- Team Leadership: Lead and motivate a team of wait staff, providing guidance, training, and ongoing support to ensure high-quality service and a positive work environment.
- Service Standards: Maintain and uphold service standards, ensuring consistency, attention to detail, and adherence to established protocols, enhancing the overall guest experience.
- Food and Beverage Knowledge: Possess comprehensive knowledge of the menu offerings, including ingredients, preparation methods, allergens, and special dietary requirements, to assist and advise guests in their dining choices.
- Order Taking and Processing: Oversee the order-taking process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in recording and relaying guest orders to the kitchen and bar staff.
- Upselling and Promotion: Encourage upselling techniques among the wait staff to enhance revenue generation. Promote specials, signature dishes, and beverage pairings to maximize guest satisfaction and sales.
- Conflict Resolution: Handle guest complaints or concerns professionally, striving to resolve issues promptly and to the guest's satisfaction. Escalate complex matters to the appropriate supervisor or management as needed.
- Hygiene and Safety: Enforce and maintain strict hygiene and safety standards, including food handling, sanitation, and responsible alcohol service, in compliance with relevant regulations and company policies.
- Administrative Tasks: Complete administrative duties such as shift reports, inventory control, ordering supplies, and other related tasks to ensure smooth operations.
Qualifications:
- Experience: Proven experience as a Head Waiter or in a similar supervisory role in a fine dining restaurant, upscale hotel, or cruise ship. Previous experience in a multicultural and fast-paced environment is advantageous.
- Food and Beverage Knowledge: Strong knowledge of food and beverage service, including fine dining etiquette, wine service, cocktail preparation, and menu presentation.
- Leadership Skills: Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to inspire and motivate a team of wait staff. Ability to delegate responsibilities, provide constructive feedback, and maintain a positive work environment.
- Customer Service: A genuine passion for providing exceptional customer service. Strong communication and problem-solving skills to address guest inquiries, complaints, and special requests effectively.
- Multilingual Skills: Proficiency in English is required. Additional language skills are highly desirable, especially those commonly spoken by cruise ship guests.
- Adaptability: Ability to work flexible hours and adjust to changing schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Willingness to work on different cruise ships and accommodate varying itineraries.
- Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and time management abilities to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Hygiene and Safety Consciousness: Understanding and adherence to hygiene and safety standards, including food safety protocols, sanitation practices, and responsible alcohol service.
- Certification: Possession of relevant certifications in food safety, responsible alcohol service, or hospitality is advantageous.
- Positive Attitude: A positive and professional demeanor, with a genuine passion for hospitality and a commitment to guest satisfaction.