Senior Food and Beverage Manager

Job description

SENIOR FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER

Location: Zambia – Willingness to Travel Required

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: Food & Beverage

Reports To: General Manager / Management

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Food & Beverage Manager to take overall responsibility for the management, performance and profitability of the Food & Beverage operations.

The successful candidate will be a strong operational leader with extensive experience in hotel, resort, lodge or high-volume hospitality environments. The position requires an individual who can lead teams, maintain exceptional service standards, control costs and stock, improve profitability and ensure consistency across different locations.

The successful candidate must be willing to travel and work at other company locations as operational requirements dictate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all Food & Beverage operations.
• Oversee restaurants, bars, banqueting, conferences, room service, catering and other F&B outlets.
• Ensure consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, service and guest experience.
• Develop, implement and monitor F&B SOPs, service standards and operational procedures.
• Lead, manage, train and develop F&B teams across different locations.
• Prepare staff schedules and ensure appropriate staffing levels.
• Monitor departmental performance and ensure agreed KPIs are achieved.
• Manage departmental budgets, revenue targets and expenditure.
• Maintain strict control over food and beverage costs, wastage and operational expenses.
• Monitor stock levels, purchasing, storage, stock rotation and stock variances.
• Conduct regular stock takes and investigate discrepancies.
• Develop strategies to increase F&B revenue and profitability.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef and other departments to ensure smooth operations.
• Review menus, pricing, promotions and beverage offerings where required.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Handle guest complaints professionally and ensure timely resolution.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, health and safety and company standards.
• Prepare regular operational and financial reports for management.
• Identify operational weaknesses and implement corrective and improvement measures.
• Conduct regular inspections of F&B outlets and facilities.
• Ensure staff appearance, conduct and service standards remain professional.
• Support the opening, improvement or restructuring of F&B operations at other company locations.
• Travel to other branches, hotels, lodges or operational sites when required.
• Carry out any other duties reasonably assigned by management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Hotel Management, Food & Beverage Management or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years’ progressive experience in Food & Beverage operations, with significant experience at management level.
• Previous experience as a Senior F&B Manager, F&B Manager, Hotel Operations Manager, Restaurant Manager or similar senior position.
• Experience in a 4-star/5-star hotel, resort, lodge, luxury property or high-volume hospitality environment will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple F&B outlets or large teams.
• Strong experience in budgeting, cost control, stock management and departmental profitability.
• Proven experience in staff management, training and performance management.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and health & safety requirements.
• Strong knowledge of POS, inventory and hospitality management systems.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong commercial and business awareness.

KEY COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• Commercial and financial awareness
• Excellent customer-service orientation
• Strong problem-solving ability
• High level of accountability and integrity
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong attention to detail
• Professional presentation and communication
• Ability to lead by example
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Flexibility to travel and work across different locations

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

This is a mobile senior management position. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel to other company locations within Zambia, and where required, remain at another location for an extended operational period.

Travel may be required for:

• Operational support
• Staff training and development
• New property or outlet openings
• Audits and inspections
• Performance improvement
• F&B restructuring
• Management support
• Special events and functions

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a mature, hands-on and commercially driven hospitality professional who can take ownership of the entire F&B function.

The ideal candidate should not only understand service but should be able to demonstrate measurable results in revenue growth, cost reduction, stock control, staff performance and guest satisfaction.

Candidates who have worked across multiple properties, locations or countries will be highly considered.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested candidates should submit:

• Updated CV
• Copies of relevant academic and professional qualifications
• Names and contact details of three professional referees
• Current and expected remuneration
• Availability / notice period

Only candidates meeting the required senior-level experience and qualifications will be considered.