Director of Food & Beverage

Department: Food & Beverage

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Kingdom of Bahrain - Manama

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Finalise, launch, and refine venue concepts, service styles, and marketing positioning across all speciality restaurants, all-day dining outlets, bars/lounges, pool decks, and extensive MICE/Banqueting spaces.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef to design profitable menus, beverage lists, and pricing strategies based on regional market analysis and target demographics.
• Oversee the selection, specification, sourcing, and setup of all OS&E items (tableware, glassware, linen, service equipment) in line with Kempinski guidelines.
• Coordinate with architectural, interior design, and MEP teams on kitchen and venue layouts, service flows, POS installations, and back-of-house logistics before property handover.

• Formulate and manage the Pre-Opening F&B departmental budget, OS&E allocation, launch expenses, and initial operating revenue forecasts.
• Set operational KPIs, target food and beverage cost ratios, average checks, covers, and labor cost metrics.
• Design revenue-generating promotions, high-end guest experiences, catering packages, and local membership initiatives to drive non-resident dining traffic.

• Establish Departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), service manuals, and luxury service protocols across all front-of-house F&B touchpoints.
• Drive complete implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), food safety, hygiene standards, and local municipality health/licensing requirements.

• Build, recruit, and onboard a high-performing F&B service team, selecting qualified outlet managers.
• Execute pre-opening service training academies covering service sequence, product knowledge.
• Foster a high-energy, culture-driven workplace focused on service excellence and team retention.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience: Minimum 5–8 years as a Director of Food & Beverage or Executive Assistant Manager i/c of F&B in a luxury hotel.
• Pre-Opening Track Record: Demonstrated experience successfully taking luxury hotel F&B operations from pre-opening build-out to operational launch.
• GCC / Regional Market Knowledge: Prior Middle East experience preferred; familiarity with local Bahrain/GCC dining trends, guest expectations, and local supplier networks.
• Education: Degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Technical & Beverage Expertise: Strong financial acumen (P&L management, food cost control) alongside deep knowledge of international culinary trends, wine, and mixology programs.
• Languages: Business fluency in English is required; Arabic language skills are a plus.

Why Join Kempinski