Steward Chief

About the Role

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts is seeking a Steward Chief to manage daily kitchen utility operations and staff in Makkah. This full-time role requires 2-5 years of experience and involves overseeing dish room operations, night cleaning, back dock cleaning and maintenance, banquet plating, and food running. The Steward Chief supervises kitchen employees not actively engaged in cooking, such as dishwashers and kitchen helpers, with a focus on improving guest and employee satisfaction while adhering to the operating budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily kitchen utility operations, including dish room, cleaning, and banquet support.
• Order and manage necessary supplies, ensuring staff have adequate equipment, tools, and uniforms.
• Schedule events, programs, activities, and staff work shifts.
• Monitor the inflow and maintenance of ordered materials.
• Conduct inventories of china, glass, silver, food, equipment, smallware, and liquor, reporting any shortages.
• Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure efficient service and adherence to standards.
• Investigate and follow up on employee accidents.
• Ensure all equipment, china, glass, and silver are adequately clean and in working order.
• Supervise employees in following loss prevention policies to prevent accidents and control costs.
• Enforce proper cleaning routines for serviceware, equipment, and floors, including all dish room machinery.
• Ensure all food holding and transport equipment is functional.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, food handling, and sanitation standards.
• Communicate relevant information to executives, peers, and subordinates in a timely manner.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, influence, and encourage staff using interpersonal and communication skills, advocating sound financial/business decision-making.
• Supervise and manage employees, understanding their roles to perform duties in their absence.
• Provide leadership, vision, and direction to prioritize departmental goals efficiently and effectively.
• Ensure and maintain employee productivity levels.
• Serve as a role model for appropriate behaviors and achieve performance and budget goals.
• Recognize team members' contributions and foster mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.
• Communicate performance expectations according to job descriptions.
• Establish and maintain open, collaborative relationships with employees.
• Participate in managing departmental controllable expenses to meet or exceed budgeted goals.
• Strive to improve service performance and solicit employee feedback.
• Understand the impact of departmental operations on overall property financial goals.

Customer Service and HR Activities

• Attend meetings and communicate with executives, peers, and subordinates to improve service quality.
• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring quality, standards, and customer expectations are met.
• Emphasize guest satisfaction in all departmental meetings and focus on continuous improvement.
• Provide guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Recruit, interview, select, hire, and promote employees.
• Train employees in safety procedures and provide feedback based on service behavior observations.
• Review employee satisfaction results to identify and address concerns.
• Ensure disciplinary procedures and documentation comply with Standard and Local Operating Procedures (SOPs and LSOPs) and support the Peer Review Process.
• Administer property policies fairly and consistently.
• Ensure utility staff are properly trained in sanitation, equipment handling, and chemical usage.
• Participate in employee progressive discipline procedures.

Qualifications and Experience

• 2-5 years of experience in kitchen utility operations or a similar supervisory role.
• Demonstrated ability to manage daily operations and lead a team effectively.
• Strong understanding of food handling, sanitation standards, and safety procedures.
• Proficiency in inventory control and supply management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Company Overview

Le Méridien, part of Marriott International, is inspired by the era of glamorous travel, celebrating cultures through a distinctly European spirit. The brand focuses on providing authentic, chic, and memorable service and experiences that encourage guests to savor their destination. Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive environment where unique backgrounds are valued and celebrated, and dedicated to non-discrimination on any protected basis.