Job title: Head of Culinary Experience
Company: Majid Al Futtaim Group
Job description: Description
Head of Culinary Experience
Location: Dubai, AE
Company: Majid Al Futtaim
Majid Al Futtaim invites you to join us in our quest to create great moments for everyone, everyday! We are the leading shopping mall, residential communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, serving over 560 million visitors a year. For the past two decades, we have shaped the consumer landscape across the region, transforming the way people shop, live and play, while maintaining a strong sustainability track record and the largest mall in the world to attain LEED Gold EBOM Certification. We have over 40,000 team members in 15 international markets representing over 100 nationalities – all keeping the customer at the heart of everything we do. If you enjoy being BOLD, PASSIONATE and TOGETHER, then Majid Al Futtaim is the destination for you.
Role Purpose:
The role of the Head of Culinary Experience is to provide culinary expertise, culinary vision, innovation, systems, recipes, menus and product development of the culinary operations at a regional level for all brands. This role requires strong leadership, mentorship and a laser focus on consistency amongst quality standards.
Role Details – Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
Strategy, Planning & Leadership
Responsible for planning, organization and driving the planning and strategy, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with sensitive deadlines and changing environments
Ensures adherence to all culinary standards to drive operational excellence
Coaches and develops a team of skilled chefs to achieve exceptional guest experience
Maintain effective costs and profits with consistent execution
Responsible for menu development; testing and standardization of recipes and training of food service teams on related concepts and execution
Works with leadership team to ensure a successful delivery while preparing and executing the annual business plan in conjunction with the brand operations teams
Supervises and provides direction to the management team to ensure compliance to policies and standards covering F&B concessions and homegrown concepts, as well as performing other responsibilities as required for the brand, the business, or as assigned by the VP Food and Beverage
Responsible for ensuring that teams are managing day-to-day operations efficiently and mitigate any risks or gaps which may impact the business performance
Provides strong and effective leadership to all employees, creating an environment which attracts and retains appropriate talent
Ensures that the workplace is safe, and teams are motivated, guided and directed to contribute fully to realizing the company’s mission, vision, goals and objectives
Manages talent pipeline through efficient utilization development and training programs, recognition initiatives, career and succession planning and employee performance management to meet corporate targets
Ensures the function’s compliance with all contracts, legal agreements and the proper execution of all municipality and government requirements
Applies innovative approaches and techniques to keep updated with competition and general Food and Beverage industry trends
Builds strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to promote brands
Manage expectations of stakeholders and ensure effective communication for alignment and direction of projects and adhoc requests
Maintains strong relationships with current suppliers and continuously and proactively identify and source potential suppliers from within the region and abroad
Works to attain financial results while maintaining brand standards that are aligned to the business’ objectives and future direction
Manages the business financially to meet or exceed P&L targets and monitor all business KPIs to proactively manage the business performance
Monitors revenue activity reports and financial statements to determine progress and status in attaining the function’s objectives, develop strategies, and initiate activities to address areas of concern
Operations
Conduct site visits and address operational deficiencies across all sites and monitor guest requests and complaints through various channels of communication
Ensures that the operational practices are being adhered to optimize the customer experience across all brands and concepts
Liaise with the brand operations teams to ensure staff are following guidelines and practices relevant to the brands, and that information is updated across all channels and customer touchpoints
Ensures that all projects are executed profitably and in compliance with established brand operations practices and in accordance with the company policies and guidelines
Compliance & Food Regulations
Be fully conversant with all statutory requirements regarding Food and Beverage operations in each of the territories that MAF Leisure, Entertainment and Cinemas operates in
Ensures that high standards of sanitation, cleanliness and safety are maintained throughout all kitchen areas at all times
Safeguards all food preparation employees, by working closely with the training department in implementing training to increase their knowledge on safety, sanitation and accident prevention principles
Evaluates food products and equipment to assure that quality standards are consistently attained
Cost & Wastage Control
Minimizes food costs, exercise portion control for all items served and assist in establishing menu selling prices
Prepares necessary data for applicable parts of the budget; projects annual food, labor and other costs and monitor actual financial results; take corrective action, as necessary to help assure that financial goals are met
Monitors and minimizes wastage of consumables and maintain labor productivity ratios
Ensures that profit margins are maintained, agreed costs are not exceeded through effective control systems, including sales analysis, sales mix, menu and product costing
Definition of Success
F&B budget allocation across all LEC sites across the region.
Food cost control across all sites.
Customer satisfaction on innovation and culinary experience
High standards on food safety
Other Context (if applicable):
Extending reach to become regional/ international business
Knowledge of geographical constraints on the macro-economical level
Third party and joint venture relationships
Flexibility to travel within the region
Performs any additional adhoc duties as and when required by the Line Manager and/or Head of Department
Functional/Technical Competencies
Artistic ability to create theme menus to meet brand concepts
Demonstrated track record of producing business-driven growth programs from concept to execution
Ability to distinguish product, taste, texture and presentation and observe preparation, making recommendations for improvements
Ability to conduct meetings, menu briefings and maintain communication lines between line staff and Director of Food & Beverage
Thorough knowledge of kitchen equipment, food products, standard recipes, and proper preparation
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Strong business and commercial acumen
Personal Characteristics and Required Background:
Personal characteristics
Strong communication skills in English
Interpersonal and influencing skills
Exceptional time management and organizational skills
Strong leadership skills
Excellent strategy formulation, planning, and implementation skills
Ability to deal with various internal and external stakeholders
Customer focused
Time management
Ability to work a diverse and dynamic team
Passion for Food & Beverage and industry trends
Minimum experience
Overall experience of 14-16+ years, with a minimum of 5 or more years of progressive, senior management level culinary management experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a similar hospitality or entertainment environment.
Must have a demonstrated and verifiable career path of successful culinary expertise, professional achievements including staff development, management skills and leadership strength.
Minimum Qualifications/education
Bachelor’s or Associate degree in culinary arts from an industry recognized culinary institution, preferred
Expected salary:
Location: Dubai
Job date: Sun, 20 Feb 2022 04:28:57 GMT
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