Senior Waiter

Job Summary: We are seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Waiter to join our cruise ship team. As a Senior Waiter, you will play a key role in providing exceptional dining service to our guests. Your expertise in food and beverage service, leadership abilities, and commitment to delivering outstanding hospitality will contribute to creating memorable dining experiences on board.

**Responsibilities**:
Dining Service: Provide exceptional table service to guests, ensuring their needs are met promptly and with attention to detail. Assist and advise guests in their dining choices, including menu recommendations, food allergies, and special dietary requirements.

Team Leadership: Assist the Head Waiter in supervising and coordinating the wait staff team, including training, mentoring, and providing ongoing support to ensure high-quality service delivery and a positive work environment.

Order Taking and Processing: Take accurate guest orders and relay them efficiently to the kitchen and bar staff. Coordinate timing between courses to ensure a smooth dining experience for guests.

Upselling and Promotion: Utilize upselling techniques to enhance revenue generation. Promote specials, signature dishes, and beverage pairings to maximize guest satisfaction and sales.

Guest Relations: Establish rapport with guests, anticipating their needs, and providing personalized and attentive service. Handle guest inquiries, concerns, and special requests professionally and promptly.

Service Standards: Uphold service standards, ensuring consistency, attention to detail, and adherence to established protocols. Maintain a high level of professionalism and ensure a welcoming and comfortable dining environment.

Hygiene and Safety: Comply with strict hygiene and safety standards, including food handling, sanitation, and responsible alcohol service, in accordance with relevant regulations and company policies.

Training and Development: Continuously enhance your knowledge of food and beverage service trends, techniques, and industry developments. Share your expertise with junior staff through training and ongoing coaching.

Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other departments, such as kitchen staff, bar staff, and management, to ensure smooth operations and exceptional guest experiences.

Administrative Tasks: Assist with administrative duties, such as shift reports, inventory control, ordering supplies, and other related tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:
Experience: Proven experience as a Senior Waiter or in a similar role in a fine dining restaurant, upscale hotel, or cruise ship. Previous experience in a multicultural and fast-paced environment is advantageous.

Food and Beverage Knowledge: Strong knowledge of food and beverage service, including fine dining etiquette, wine service, cocktail preparation, and menu presentation.

Leadership Skills: Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to guide and mentor junior staff. Ability to delegate responsibilities, provide constructive feedback, and maintain a positive work environment.

Customer Service: A genuine passion for providing exceptional customer service. Strong communication and problem-solving skills to address guest inquiries, complaints, and special requests effectively.

Multilingual Skills: Proficiency in English is required. Additional language skills are highly desirable, especially those commonly spoken by cruise ship guests.

Adaptability: Ability to work flexible hours and adjust to changing schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Willingness to work on different cruise ships and accommodate varying itineraries.

Organizational Skills: Strong organizational and time management abilities to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Hygiene and Safety Consciousness: Understanding and adherence to hygiene and safety standards, including food safety protocols, sanitation practices, and responsible alcohol service.

Certification: Possession of relevant certifications in food safety, responsible alcohol service, or hospitality is advantageous.

Positive Attitude: A positive and professional demeanor, with a genuine passion for hospitality and a commitment to guest satisfaction

**Salary**: R32,000.00 - R54,000.00 per month