CEO

Quality River Catering; Nijmegen; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Quality River Catering provides hotel operations for river cruise vessels and seeks a Chief Executive Officer to translate vision into strategy and drive profitability across its international fleet. You will lead senior management, collaborate with vessel operators and stakeholders, and shape a sustainable organisation that blends service excellence with commercial performance.

English is essential; German and Dutch are preferred, and travel abroad as required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a comparable senior management or executive role.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of financial management, budgeting, cost control and profitability.
• Experience leading management teams and overseeing complex operational activities.
• Strategic mindset with hands-on, results-oriented approach.
• Fluency in English; German and Dutch preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term strategy, objectives and growth plans.
• Oversee financial performance, budgeting, cost control and profitability.
• Lead hotel operations across fleet ensuring standards and guest satisfaction.
• Develop management team and foster accountability.
• Maintain relationships with shipowners, partners and stakeholders.
• Ensure organisational structure and workforce strategy.
• Monitor service quality, risks and regulatory compliance.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen market position and growth.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Financial Management

Budgeting & Cost Control

People Management

Stakeholder Management

Leadership & Communication

Job description

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) -Quality River Catering

About Quality River Catering

Quality River Catering provides hotel operations for river cruise vessels, ensuring that guests receive a high standard of hospitality throughout their journey. Working in an international environment, QRC combines operational expertise, people management, culinary excellence and a strong focus on service quality to deliver memorable guest experiences.

The Role

Quality River Catering is looking for an experienced and commercially minded Chief Executive Officer to lead the company’s strategic development and overall business performance.

As CEO, you will be responsible for translating the company’s vision into a clear business strategy, strengthening operational performance and building a sustainable organisation that supports both business growth and service excellence. You will work closely with senior management, vessel operators and other stakeholders to ensure that QRC continues to deliver reliable, high-quality hotel operations across its fleet.

This role requires a leader who understands the dynamics of international hospitality, can balance commercial objectives with operational realities and knows how to lead an organisation in which the quality of service depends on the people delivering it every day.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the company’s long-term strategy, business objectives and growth plans.
• Business Performance: Take overall responsibility for financial performance, budgeting, cost control and profitability.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee the performance of hotel operations across the fleet, ensuring consistent standards, efficiency and guest satisfaction.
• Leadership & Development: Lead and develop the management team, establish clear responsibilities and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Client & Stakeholder Relations: Maintain strong relationships with shipowners, business partners and other key stakeholders.
• People & Organisation: Ensure the company has the organisational structure, workforce strategy and leadership capabilities needed to meet its operational commitments.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure appropriate systems are in place to monitor service quality, operational risks and compliance with applicable contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Business Development: Identify opportunities to strengthen QRC’s market position, expand its activities and improve long-term business sustainability.

Your Profile

At least 5 years of experience in a comparable senior management or executive position, preferably within hospitality, cruise operations, catering or an international service organisation.

Strong commercial acumen and a proven understanding of financial management, budgeting, cost control and profitability.

Demonstrated experience in leading management teams and overseeing complex operational activities.

A strategic mindset combined with a hands‑on, results‑oriented approach.

Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

The ability to operate effectively in an international and multicultural environment.

Fluency in English, preferably German and Dutch.

Willingness to travel internationally as required.

What We Offer

• A senior leadership position with responsibility for the direction and development of an international river cruise catering business.
• The opportunity to influence business strategy, operational performance and organisational growth.
• A dynamic, international working environment with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• The opportunity to shape a business where hospitality, operational excellence and commercial performance go hand in hand.

If you are a strategic and hands‑on leader who combines commercial insight with a strong understanding of hospitality operations, we would welcome your application.