Production Manager

Job description / Role

• Develop, manage and control a full range of catering services for Alpha Flight catering, providing highest standards in quality food management.
• To be responsible for the continuous development and improvement of menus and the frontline, personal services which reflect Alpha standards.
• Implement and produce cost effective procedures and quality controls to ensure that the operation of these areas meet the prescribed standards and exceed customer expectations.
• Reporting to the General Manager – Food Production to provide support, guidance, direction and of food production planning and implements projects.
• Improve processes so Operational and Financial goals are achieved to meet future airline growth plans whilst adhering to stringent KPI’s related to cost control, compliance, service and people.
• To provide full support by taking affirmative actions on recommendations made to working processes and conditions to ensure that all employees have a safe and healthy working environment.
• Direct and develop a team of Sous chef and their immediate reports to ensure that they are motivated and equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet current and future standards and targets.
• Food production planning for airline and Food and Beverage offerings of Alpha Sharjah
• Liaise with Managers across Catering Services and F & B to ensure that Food Production are aligned and process inbound and outbound flights in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Liaise with Managers in order to control cost, maintain compliance, improve service and develop people.
• Contribute to continuous improvement plans within Food production so the business is aligned with the overall Catering Services vision and goals.
• Maintain high level relationships with the airline customer and strive to deliver the promises our customers make.
• Leads, coaches and supports the managers and supervisors to ensure optimum day to day performance
• Effective management of the team in the kitchen to ensure the delivery of both qualitative and quantitative results
• To motivate, coach and train staff to perform to the highest standards and in line with Alpha Policy
• To actively seek and identify opportunities and innovation for business growth & development with focus on latest operational catering best practices
• To lead and execute the Catering Operation with the available resources within budget to achieve on time performance.
• To lead and deliver the highest possible standard of food delivery with the resources available and within budget.
• Maintain high level relationships with the airline customer and strive to deliver the promises our customers make.
• Contribute to the business planning of Food Production by introducing plans that mitigate risk, ensure the continuity of service, deliver high customer satisfaction results and increase profit.
• Ensure the most effective, efficient and innovative processes are in place at Food Production based on knowledge acquired from previous in-flight catering experience which includes best practices, optimised processes, equipment specification and selection, organizational structure, job descriptions in line with budgets and time frames and candidate selection.
• Monitor, maintain and regularly evaluate customer service standards so complaints are reduced and reoccurring trends do not emerge in a timely and cost effective manner.
• Continuously review Food Production processes with peers so on-time and in-full performance is achieve.

Requirements

• Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management or equivalent preferred.
• Have an in-depth understanding and working experience with HACCP, GMP, ISO standards and lean six sigma systems.
• A minimum of 10 years working experience as a Sous Chef in an in-flight catering unit handling 30,000+ meals per day out of which 3+ years should have been in a Food Production Planning position.
• Managing F & B food offering experience is an added advantage.
• Considerable technical knowledge of food production from different kitchens e.g. butchery, dishing and cold as well as logistics and supply chain management industry best practices from an ERP/SAP perspective is required.
• Awareness of industry leading Kitchen Automation and equipment’s.
• Possess management principles and practices including budgeting, procurement and supervision.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to work effectively across all levels in a diverse and multi-cultural environment.

About the Company

Making Travel Special is about knowing what customers want. We recognise that by serving our customers, we're also serving their customers. That's why we talk about the promises our customers make. In this way, we delight our customers and their passengers, even as we continue to challenge ourselves to become the most admired provider in the world.

We treat customers like they are our guests. And because they expect food to be good and wholesome, we maintain the highest global quality assurance standards. What's more, our teams of experienced, dedicated professionals go the extra mile to provide innovative, efficient and reliable services for every single one of them.

Over the years, we've become a global player. In the coming decades, we'll continue to transform our industry by staying true to our core values.