Maitre D

Colonial Group; Lake Tekapo; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group in Lake Tekapo, NZ, seeks a Maître d’ to lead front-of-house operations and create a welcoming dining atmosphere. You’ll oversee guest reception, seating, and service standards while mentoring staff and ensuring smooth cash handling.

You’ll coordinate with the restaurant team to deliver memorable experiences, manage reservations, and uphold grooming and professional appearance. Flexibility for varied shifts is required.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in customer service within hospitality.
• Proficiency in food & beverage protocols, including table service, beverages and coffee.
• RSA certification or equivalent qualification.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the front-of-house to ensure guests are welcomed and assisted from arrival to departure.
• Train and mentor Food & Beverage attendants for seamless service.
• Assist guests with dining reservations and seating arrangements.
• Manage cash flow with the POS system, ensuring accuracy and balanced tills.
• Transform challenges into opportunities with a positive, proactive approach.
• Develop training plans and organise on- and off-the-job sessions for the team.
• Monitor staffing, payroll, and cost control to optimise profits.
• Collaborate with the restaurant manager on stock takes and inventory orders.
• Maintain high professional appearance through grooming standards.

Skills

Customer service

Food & Beverage protocols

Adaptability

RSA certification

Team collaboration

Tools

POS system

Job description

Purpose:

As a Maître d’, your role is all about ensuring the restaurant's front-of-house operations run smoothly and creating a welcoming atmosphere for our guests. You're not just a host; you're the face of the restaurant, responsible for providing excellent customer service and memorable dining experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the team to ensure they offer a warm welcome and assist guests from their arrival to their departure
• Train and mentor Food & Beverage attendants to ensure seamless and memorable service
• Aid both internal and external guests in making dining reservations
• Keep the cash flow smooth as silk with your expertise in the point of sale cashiering system, ensuring accuracy and a balanced till
• When challenges arise, your ability to transform obstacles into opportunities stands out. Your approach is a testament to your problem-solving abilities and unwavering positivity
• Craft training plans and organise both on and off-the-job training sessions for our dynamic team
• Monitor staffing, payroll, cost control, and profit optimisation with a steady hand
• Keep a watchful eye on our stock levels and collaborate with the restaurant manager to conduct stocktakes, ensuring timely orders when our pantry runs low
• Take extreme care with personal grooming in order to maintain a consistently high level of professional appearance

Skills and Experience

• Proven track record in customer service within the hospitality sector
• Proficiency in food & beverage protocols, encompassing table service, beverage expertise, event service and coffee crafting skills (strongly valued)
• Adaptable within diverse food & beverage settings, with flexibility across different schedules including early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays as required
• Possession of a valid RSA or an equivalent qualification
• Passion for engaging with patrons and collaborating within a team of diverse professionals