Director of Catering

About Four Seasons:

Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.

At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.

About the location:A resort-like sanctuary in Kuwait’s heart. Discover a modern urban sanctuary in the heart of Kuwait City: a contemporary curation of Middle Eastern architecture, dazzling art and resort-like spaciousness, where striking sculptures seamlessly merge with traditional design. In this enclave of wonder – the first and only hotel in Kuwait to receive the prestigious Forbes Five-Star rating – you’ll find soaring rooftop restaurants, leisure facilities and the city’s largest guest rooms. Catch up with friends in the chic surrounds of Al Soor (known as La Chocolaterie of Kuwait), relax in air-conditioned cabanas by the infinity pool, ascend to a buzzing rooftop and wander the lush adjacent parkland. And with the city’s malls and souks within a few minutes’ drive, you can experience all the spoils of the city without spoiling your precious relaxation time.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The director Catering will report to the Commercial Director with a doted line to the Director of F&B.

People

Set stretching goals for the team, in conjunction with the Commercial Director. Lead them to achieve and exceed financial goals with a review of these on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis. Communicate on a regular basis with the Event Managers to review the department, functions, staff, goals and objectives, etc. Develop and motivate the employees, maintaining a high level of communication.

Product

Develop and promote creativity and to introduce innovations throughout the department, to differentiate from the competition, motivate staff, encourage new business and help up-selling.

Maintain a good relationship with counterparts in other competitive establishments and to be able to report competitive analysis as required.

Conduct and participate in weekly Sales and forecast meetings as well as attend all required meetings.

Establish all office procedures and monitor their effectiveness.

To allocate duties and delegate work within the department, continuously monitoring the process and ensuring that all work is kept up-to-date.

Develop creative Banquet/Event menus and appropriate pricing structures, based on local competitive analysis.

Conduct weekly meetings with support departments to review all events for the upcoming week, i.e. Stewarding, Banquet service, etc.

Keep management and Public Relations informed on all the functions booked at the hotel, as well as any known personalities or security-sensitive functions.

Co-ordinate details of daily events with the Executive Chef, the Banquet Manager, and Banquet Service Managers.

Oversee the execution of events to ensure high standards of food, beverage and service delivery.

Profit

Ensure maximum Marketing and Sales efforts for Events are achieved and to co-ordinate these efforts with the Commercial Director.

Drive proactive sales efforts in social and non-residential events against targets.

Finalize bookings in writing, maximizing all revenue potential by up-selling in all revenue producing areas.

Secure deposits and maintain established credit policies.

Monitor all departmental weekly expenses, i.e. payroll, utility and food and beverage costs, etc.

Prepare a weekly ‘definite’ booking report at the conclusion of each week and weekly and monthly pace reports.

To ensure other reports such as turn away reports, Golden are maintained accurately.

Maintain a thorough concept of food cost and menu planning.

Prepare weekly and monthly forecasts and the annual budget for labour, revenue and costs.

Additional Responsibilities

Assist with all inquiries within the sales, marketing and Events department, including assistance with high telephone volume and walk-in site inspections. Maintain an active and visible role in the local business and social community to generate new business, recruit future employees and managers, and support the public relations efforts of the hotel. To carry out any other duties or projects as directed by the Director of Food and Beverage.

To maintain quality goals, specifically by appropriate and persistent follow-up on:

Attention to detail

In-house managers' observations/reports

Guest comments

LQA reports

Qualtrics

Act as the liaison for all vendor/supplier related client needs, (i.e. Audio Visual, Florists, Entertainment, Transportation, DMC, Off-site Locations etc). Periodically host and ensure maximum effectiveness of Banquet Event Order Meetings, and Resume meetings.

What you bring:

Experience required by position is from 3 to 5 years of employment in a similar position.

Experience in Middle East countries preferred.

Ability to read, speak and write English, Arabic would be a great asset.

Strong leadership skills, adaptability and high level of creativity.

Coaching and People Development Skills.

Solid organizational skills, with ability to multitask, and excellent attention to detail.

What we offer

Department Head benefits as per Four Seasons Kuwait policy

Complimentary nights at other FS Hotels worldwide

Regular social and sports events

Paid home leave with flight tickets

Complimentary employee meals and Uniforms

Health medical and insurance benefits

Work Authorization

Hotel will apply for the Kuwait work authorization for the successful candidate.

We look forward to receiving your application!

REQ10345826