What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Dining Room Manager position at The Inn at Little Washington?
SUMMARY
The Senior Dining Room Manager works under the leadership of the Restaurant Manager. She/he is the face of the organization and intervenes on behalf of the guest to make certain that they are being provided with a transformative, restorative, and life affirming experience. Tracking of repeat guests and creating new business are key elements of the position. Continuous alert is given to guests’ sensitivities to preemptively manage any concerns. Ensure that guests feel as though they are being welcomed into Patrick O’Connell’s home.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Always act as an ambassador of The Inn
2. Assist the Restaurant Manager in the management of restaurant operations
3. Enforce adherence IALW policies 5-Star/5-Diamond and Michelin standards
4. Facilitate exceptional service; CIP’s, expo, KT entrance, problem solving, etc.
5. Build and implement a culture that has a sustainable, formal program of ongoing staff training, education, and testing
6. Support and work with the Restaurant Manager in creating detailed, transparent succession planning initiatives with sincere care for staff’s inclusion and career advancement with a focus on retention
7. Support and work with the Restaurant Manager in the forward development of the next wave of leaders
8. Support and work with the Restaurant Manager to establish consistency in performance reviews as well as accountability
9. Support and work with the Restaurant Manager in the continuous improvement of the job description, onboarding process and testing regimes
10. Daily maintenance of POS system
11. Support and work with the Restaurant Manager in creating the weekly schedules
12. Reinforce compliance with Attendance policy. Track and document call offs and/or lateness occurrences.
13. Create daily floor plans
14. Audit employees timecards in Paycom on a daily and weekly basis
15. Supervise and perform AM and PM Front Desk duties
16. Have a full understanding of our reservations platform
17. Assist with accounting errors as well as Night Audit procedures
18. Create menu/wine tech sheets to be used as study material
19. Carry out disposable ordering for FOH, Kitchen, and Housekeeping (CGS)
20. Guarantee that adequate linen is continuously par levels on hand
21. Ensure that the Chair room is consistently in an orderly state
22. Interview candidates; onboard and train new hires
23. Evaluate staff performance and coach/counsel as necessary
24. Conduct daily pre-shift meeting and elicit feedback from the service/kitchen staff
25. Confirm that uniform inspection is complete, and that the dining room is prepared for service
26. Oversee front desk agents in greeting and seating guests as they arrive for Tea and Dinner – guaranteeing that their first impression is a memorable one
27. Extensive knowledge of the Inn at Little Washington’s story; past, present, and future
knowledge of Patrick O’Connell’s biography
29. Monitor for repeat business and/or potential repeat business
30. Flexibility to work on a rotating-shift basis, evenings, weekends, holidays, and off-site events
31. Identify inspectors or potential inspectors and alert all departments
32. Communicate information such as CIP, SDR, and/or areas of concern to the kitchen
33. Monitor the execution of service to assure that exceptional food and hospitality are being provided
34. Interact with each guest to develop a relationship and evaluate mood level
35. Identify, interpret, and resolve guest complaints
36. Ensure that clean and healthy dining/service areas are maintained
37. Actively promote the minimization of labor cost and loss prevention
38. Conduct yearly staff reviews to acknowledge improvements/opportunities and assess pay
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
1. 7 years’ combined experience in the luxury dining segment of the industry
2. 5 years’ supervisory leadership experience
3. Prior experience as 5 years’ experience as Table Captain, Concierge, or Front Desk Manager
4. Level 1 Wine Certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers
5. Alcohol Awareness Program Certification
6. Comprehensive knowledge of 5-Star/5-Diamond standards for both Hotels and Restaurants
7. Extensive knowledge of the Inn at Little Washington’s story; past, present, and future
8. Familiarity with the current Michelin 3-Star restaurants in the U.S.
9. Prior experience monitoring the “temperature” of a dining room to gauge guests’ mood level
10. Must possess an overwhelming desire to please our guests
11. Must be passionate and knowledgeable about food and wine
Desirable
1. Knowledge of the D.C. restaurant scene
2. Local knowledge to recommend day trips, lunch spots, hikes, and places of interest
3. Prior experience with Resort Suite and Tock operating systems
4. CPR Certification
SKILLS
1. Superior communication and interpersonal skills
2. Disciplined time management skills
3. Supreme guest relations skills
4. Ability to remain calm and composed in emergency situations
5. Patience needed to mentor and impart IALW culture
6. Ability to thrive in an environment with established systems
7. Capacity to build strong teams
8. Multi-tasking across various departments
9. Ability to focus on even to the minutest of details
10. Improvisation skills – the ability to adapt to any situation
11. Talent to motivate a team to regularly perform at the highest levels
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
1. Able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (8 hours per day
2. Able to work 55 hour work weeks
3. Ability to lift and carry 30 pounds
4. Ability to successfully manage a highly intense environment
