Manager, Catering and Vendor Relations

Purpose: This position is responsible for overseeing the operations of the catering services and the crucial vendor relations component. The position holder will act as the primary front line for the office of food services, internally meet with stakeholders, present offered services by multiple vendors and externally through constant communications with vendors and service providers, and provide catering consultations to, event organizers. The candidate will be responsible for handling employee management and training, customer concerns or complaints, and safety compliance. He/she will be responsible for maintaining positive customer relationships within the organization. Daily interaction with various stakeholders to accommodate their requests and facilitate concerns, resolve problems, and recommend products and services according to each individual's needs. They are constantly monitoring sales reports and revenue generation analysis.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Manage the food and beverage provision for functions and events by planning menus considering client preferences and special requests
• Coordinate and facilitate catering for all VIP events, including the board of trustees' visit
• Plan menus in consultation with chefs
• organize, lead and motivate the catering team
• Monitor the quality of the product (presentation, portion, price) and service provided
• Assess customers' requirements and ensure they're satisfied with the service delivered
• Plan new promotions and initiatives, and contribute to business development
• Keep up-to-date of trends and developments in the industry, such as menus or trends in consumer tastes
• Supervise and coordinate the catering programs and develop marketing plans to promote catering services to community members
• Ensure that all menu items meet the expectation of the customer through advanced tastings and practice runs
• Manage other individuals, including caterers and servers, to keep the kitchen flow moving smoothly and providing food to an event without challenges or complaints
• Performs supervisory functions and inspection on all campus activities that involve internal or external caterers
• Meeting with contracted food vendors and customers and manage incoming calls and emails
• Develop service procedures, policies, and standards
• Resolve customer complaints relevant to food operations (working hours, shortage of items. etc.) on both campuses
• Ensure the food service providers' commitment toward the obligations relevant to the quality and operation of outlets
• Provides outstanding customer services, identifying customer needs: forwarding and escalating inquiries to relevant individuals and departments
• Ensure responsive, timely, and thorough responses to the needs of the university community
• Recommend possible solutions to problems as may be required
• Handling the financial and administrative records as well as monitoring the budget
• Maintain accurate records and document customer service actions and discussions and analyze statistics and compile accurate reports
• Perform other related duties as requested from direct supervisor

Requirements:

Minimum Education Requirement:  

• University degree in related field

Experience:

• Minimum of ten years of operations experience in multiple types of food service management
• Knowledge of food operations budget planning, and food cost and retail experience would be a plus

Skills :

• Possess essential traits of honesty, integrity, loyalty, confidentiality, and avoidance of conflicts of interest situations
• Ability to facilitate simultaneous requests
• Strong time financial, and management skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and supervisory skills
• Ability to identify market opportunities and grow business volume
• Excellent English and Arabic language ability, both written and verbal
• Professional knowledge of Microsoft Windows, SAP, and high expertise in web surfing and internet usage
• Problem Solving Skills - Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Critical thinker and problem-solving skills

This position is open until August 4, 2021

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the short list will be contacted.

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”