Director of Food & Beverage

About the role

Le Méridien Chicago - Oakbrook Center is located near the eponymous shopping center in Oak Brook, Illinois. The hotel offers easy access to attractions such as Drury Lane Theatre, Elmhurst Art Museum, and downtown Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Interview, hire, train, recommend performance evaluations, resolve problems, provide open communication and recommend discipline and/or termination when appropriate.
• Plan and direct the functions of administration and planning of the Food and Beverage Department to meet the daily needs of the operation.
• Clearly describe, assign and delegate responsibility and authority for the operation of the various food and beverage sub-departments, e.g. room service, restaurants, banquets, kitchens, steward, etc.
• Develop, implement and monitor schedules for the operation of all food and beverage sub-departments to achieve a profitable result.
• Implement effective control of food, beverage and labor costs among all sub-departments to Crescent standards.
• Provides ethical and consistent leadership in the food and beverage area of the hotel by directing and organizing the activities of the Food and Beverage Department to maintain high standards of food and beverage quality, service and merchandising to maximize hotel profitability.
• Absorb all State, Federal and Corporate requirements pertaining to serving alcoholic beverages.
• Assist managers in establishing and achieving predetermined profit objectives and desired standards of quality food, service, cleanliness, merchandising and promotion.
• Regularly review and evaluate the degree of guest satisfaction of the individual restaurants and events service, to recommend new operating and marketing policies whenever declining or constant sales imply dissatisfaction by the customers, a material change in the make-up or the customer market, or a change in the competitive environment.
• Develop operating tools necessary and incidental to modern management principles, e.g. budgeting, forecasting purchase specifications, recipes, portion specifications, menu abstracts, food production control etc.
• Continuously evaluate the performance and encourage improvement of the associates in the food and beverage department.
• Plan and administer a training and development program within the department which will provide well trained associates at all levels.

Requirements

• Must have 5 years of hotel food & beverage leadership experience.
• Marriott experience preferred.
• We are looking for someone passionate about creating a genuine customer experience while achieving revenue objectives.
• Someone to represent Le Meridien Chicago Oakbrook Center with confidence and the spirit of hospitality.
• Work closely with the Sales Department to negotiate pricing and optimize production to positively impact hotel revenues.
• Self-starting personality with an even disposition.
• Can communicate well with guests and associates.
• Can do, problem solver personality.
• Friendly disposition with a passion for hospitality.
• Team player who strives to support others and likes to win as a team.
• Must have Food Manager certification or ability to obtain within 30-days.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays.

Skills

• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of food and beverage operations.

Benefits

Highly competitive wages - Salary Range Annually $95,000 - $115,000
Exceptional benefit plan for eligible associates & your family members
401K matching program for eligible associates
Discounts with our Crescent managed properties in North America for you & your family members
Hotel Room Discounts at Marriott brand properties Worldwide
Free meals in our associates' cafeteria

Pay

$95,000 - $115,000 Annually

Schedule

Flexible schedule with potential for evening and weekend shifts.