Food & Beverage Director

Our client, a renowned wine estate and luxury accommodation provider in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking an experienced and sophisticated Food & Beverage Director. This pivotal role involves overseeing all aspects of the Food & Beverage operations across multiple venues, including fine dining restaurants, event spaces, and bars. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving innovation, ensuring exceptional service standards, managing costs, and maximizing revenue for all F&B outlets.

This hybrid role allows for strategic planning and administrative tasks to be conducted remotely, while requiring a strong on-site presence to lead teams and manage operations effectively within the vibrant Stellenbosch culinary landscape. You will be instrumental in elevating the guest dining experience.

• Develop and implement strategic F&B initiatives to enhance revenue, profitability, and guest satisfaction across all outlets.
• Oversee the daily operations of restaurants, bars, banqueting, and room service, ensuring adherence to quality standards and service excellence.
• Manage menu engineering, development, and costing in collaboration with Executive Chefs and culinary teams.
• Control F&B costs, including inventory management, procurement, waste reduction, and labor cost optimization.
• Lead, train, and motivate the F&B team, fostering a culture of professionalism, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
• Develop and manage budgets for all F&B operations, monitoring performance against financial targets.
• Curate beverage programs, including wine lists, craft cocktails, and other offerings, in line with the estate's brand and local appeal.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to develop promotional strategies and enhance F&B offerings for events and banqueting.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in Food & Beverage management, with at least 4 years in a Director-level role within luxury hotels, resorts, or fine dining establishments.
• Proven expertise in managing multiple F&B outlets and large-scale events.
• Strong financial acumen, with a demonstrated ability to manage budgets, control costs, and drive profitability.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.
• In-depth knowledge of culinary trends, wine, spirits, and beverage management.
• Experience with POS systems and F&B management software.
• A degree in Hospitality Management or a related field is highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of South African liquor laws and health regulations.
• Passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and a keen eye for detail.

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, a provident fund, and life insurance.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression within a prestigious hospitality group are significant.
• Enjoy preferential rates on accommodation, dining, and wine purchases.
• Be part of a dynamic and creative team in the heart of the picturesque Stellenbosch wine region.
• This hybrid role offers a blend of strategic remote work and essential on-site leadership.