Manager, Culinary Standards

Malaysia Airlines Berhad; Malaysia; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline in Malaysia is seeking a Manager for Culinary Standards based at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. This role involves leading the inflight food and beverage strategy, ensuring operational excellence while driving passenger satisfaction. Candidates should have a degree in a related field and a minimum of 5 years in airlines catering management. Strong communication skills and knowledge of food safety regulations are essential for success in this role. Join us to innovate and enhance our culinary offerings.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in airlines catering management.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and performance management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of inflight menu strategy aligning with market trends.
• Ensure inflight F&B strategies are aligned with Top Management direction.
• Monitor initiatives' impact on passenger satisfaction through feedback analysis.
• Drive ongoing operational improvements by identifying process gaps.
• Oversee collaboration with culinary experts for menu development.

Skills

Airlines catering management experience

Knowledge of food safety regulations

Strategic mindset

Excellent communication skills

Education

Degree / Diploma in Hotel Management, Catering, or related field

Food Safety & Hygiene Certification (e.g., HACCP)

Job description

Career Opportunities: Manager, Culinary Standards (22634)

Requisition ID22634-Posted -Kuala Lumpur International Airport-MAGCS - Culinary & Product Development-MAGCS - Culinary & Product Development

Responsible for leading MAGCS inflight F&B strategy, including menu innovation, operational excellence, quality and safety compliance, caterer performance management, and team capability development. Drives passenger satisfaction and continuous improvement initiatives, while overseeing strategic planning to ensure alignment with corporate objectives and industry best practices.

Key Accountability

• Lead the development and continuous evolution of MAGCS’s inflight menu strategy, ensuring alignment with market trends, passenger preferences, and operational requirements.
• Establish and maintain standards for inflight food and beverage offerings through structured menu frameworks and policy development.
• Ensure all inflight F&B strategies are aligned with direction set by Top Management.
• Translate inflight F&B strategies into actionable plans with clear timelines and deliverables.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of initiatives on passenger satisfaction through structured customer feedback analysis.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop menu structures tailored by flight type, sector, and region.
• Conduct continuous menu reviews based on passenger feedback, crew insights, and performance data.
• Drive ongoing operational improvements by identifying process gaps and coordinating corrective actions with cross-functional teams.
• Oversee and support the culinary team in collaborating with internal stakeholders and external culinary experts, both domestic and international.
• Lead the development of unique recipes and menu concepts that strengthen brand identity, enhance marketing value, and differentiate MAGCS in the market.
• Champion the effective use of ICOS to streamline inflight F&B processes, improve efficiency, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Support culinary chefs and relevant stakeholders in maintaining the highest standards of food quality, safety, and consistency.
• Participate in crew training sessions and management-level food presentations to ensure alignment in service delivery and product understanding.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing inflight F&B team to achieve departmental objectives.
• Implement performance management, capability-building initiatives, and succession planning to ensure team effectiveness and delivery of key results.
• Lead the tendering, selection, and evaluation of catering partners, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and standards of product quality, portioning, presentation, and consistency across all routes.
• Foster collaborative partnerships with caterers to drive innovation, enhance operational alignment, and resolve escalated service or performance issues.
• Develop and sustain long-term strategic relationships with domestic and international stakeholders to enhance product quality, innovation, and cost-efficiency

Qualifications and Working Experience

• Degree / Diploma in Hotel Management, Catering, Food Production, or a related field from a recognized institution, with a solid understanding of hospitality operations and culinary practices
• Food Safety & Hygiene Certification (e.g., HACCP) is an added advantage

Skills & Knowledge

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in airlines catering management.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and performance management.
• Strategic mindset and analytical thinking.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.