BANQUET CAPTAIN

MDM Group Marriotts•Miami, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Banquet Captain leads the Food and Beverage service of events and the corresponding staff. Ensures consistency and the highest level of service by training and developing staff and executing the requirements of events based on catering service standards. As an assistant department head, uses leadership skills to coach and develop staff. Provides exceptional banquet guest service, Executes events according to Banquet Event Orders, Coordinates with clients and banquet staff for smooth event delivery. Must be able to perform all job functions of the banquet department.

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years Food & Beverage experience with 1 of those in a leadership capacity
Must have experience in, and be able to train and motivate staff
Must be able to work under pressure
Must be customer service oriented and have excellent hospitality skills
Must be flexible to work any shift, including weekends and holidays
Effective sales skills to up-sell products and services
Knowledge of menu planning, food presentation, and banquet and event service operations
Broad understanding of facility management (sanitation, maintenance, operations)
Knowledge of overall hotel operations as they affect department
Strong communication skills (verbal, listening, writing)
Effective conflict management skills
Strong customer and associate relation skills
Good training/facilitator skills
Strong organizational skills
Ability to use standard software applications and hotel systems
Effective decision making skills
Effective influence skills
Strong problem-solving skills
Effective coaching and development skills
Financial management skills e.g., ability to understand P&L statements, manage operating budgets, forecasting and scheduling
Good presentation and platform skills
Knowledge of purchasing, inventory controls, supplies and equipment
Ability to effectively manage labor productivity
Knowledge of governmental regulations and safety standards (OSHA, EPA, ADA, CFC, NFPA)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Responsibilities

Manages departmental inventories and assets including par levels and maintenance of equipment.
Uses banquet beverage “Use” records to guide banquet beverage supervisor in controlling liquor costs, managing the banquet beverage perpetual inventory and requisitioning liquor.
Applies and continually broadens knowledge of food and wine pairings and cutting edge cuisine, and overall event presentation.
Schedules banquet service staff to forecast and service standards, while maximizing profits.
Maintains attendance log for banquet associates.
Maintains and enforces established sanitation levels.
Adheres to and reinforces all standards, policies, and procedures (PPM, Core Deliverables, SOPs, LSOPs, etc.).
Communicates and executes departmental and hotel emergency procedures and ensures staff are trained in safety procedures.
Sets a positive example for guest relations.
Interacts with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels; effectively responds to and handles guest problems and complaints.
Empowers associates to provide excellent customer service. Ensures associates understand expectations and parameters.
Observes service behaviors of associates and provides feedback to individuals; continuously strives to improve service performance.
Reviews comment cards and guest satisfaction results with associates. Participates in the development and implementation of corrective action plans.
Emphasizes guest satisfaction during all departmental meetings and focuses on continuous improvement.
Ensures associate awareness of the event phase portion of the Meeting Planner Survey and Guest Satisfaction Scores.
Reviews quarterly Meeting Planner Survey and participates in the development and implementation of corrective action to address service challenges; focuses on continuous improvement of guest satisfaction.
Understands the impact Banquet operations has on the overall success of an event and manages activities to maximize customer satisfaction.
Supports a departmental orientation program for associates to receive the appropriate new hire training to successfully perform their job. Ensures associates are cross-trained to support successful daily operations.
Uses all available on the job training tools for associates; supervises on-going training initiatives and conducts training when appropriate.
Communicates performance expectations in accordance with job descriptions for each position.
Participates in the associate performance appraisal process, providing feedback as needed.
Establishes and maintains open, collaborative relationships with associates and ensures associates do the same within the team.
Actively solicits associate feedback, utilizes and "open door" policy and reviews associate satisfaction results to identify and address associate problems or concerns. Brings issues to the attention of the department manager and Human Resources as necessary.
Participates in associate progressive discipline procedures. Ensures hotel policies are administered fairly and consistently, disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Standard and Local Operating Procedures (SOPs and LSOPs) and supports the Peer Review Process.
Ensures that regular on-going communication is happening with associates to create awareness of business objectives and communicates expectations, recognizes performance and produces desired results.
Celebrates successes and publicly recognizes the contributions of team members; ensures associate recognition is taking place on all shifts. Participates in an on-going associate recognition program.
Effectively up-sells products and services throughout the event phase.
Comprehends budgets, operating statements and payroll progress reports as needed to assist in the financial management of department.
Utilizes the Labor Management System to effectively schedule to business demands and for tracking of associate time and attendance. Manages payroll administration.
Ensures accurate customer billing for banquet events.
Performs other duties as assigned to meet business needs.