Lead Server

JRK is seeking a Lead Server who is a vital part of helping the Hotel Oceana Santa Monica achieve a high level of guest satisfaction through providing unparalleled food service in both the Hotel Restaurant and Room Service. The Lead Server is responsible for taking orders from guests and delivering their food to them. Their duties include explaining the menu to their customers, communicating with kitchen staff and balancing dishes as they bring them to the appropriate table. Treating customers with courtesy and respect through honoring their privacy is essential for hotel restaurant staff.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Greeting and seating customers
• Taking food and beverage orders and accurately entering them into the ordering system
• Making menu item recommendations
• Communicating any food allergy or special nutrition needs to kitchen staff
• Ensuring all orders are filled quickly and accurately, and that food is high quality
• Providing attentive service to diners, like refilling drinks as needed and checking their needs during meals
• Providing room service food delivery
• Promptly addressing any customer service issues and referring to management when necessary
• Assist with opening and closing the restaurant
• Support banquet services, including
  • Assist with the complete setup and breakdown of the banquet area
  • Relay food and beverage orders; relay important information about orders, allergies, and special requests to the appropriate person
  • Maintain a high level of cleanliness and awareness of sanitary practices
  • Maintain composure in a fast-paced environment; anticipate guests’ needs and exceed customer service expectations; respond urgently and appropriately to any concerns
• Performing cleaning duties, including
  • Maintaining a neat and orderly the service station and around the kitchen and the dining area
  • Restocking condiments and other related service items
  • Bussing and reset tables and hotel hallways as needed, washing dishes and service equipment as needed
  • Reporting low inventory of service items and supplies to the Lead Server or Food & Beverage Manager promptly
• Enforces the Hotel’s Guest-only policy
• Assist Food & Beverage Director with training Assistant Servers in proper operational procedures and policies for Restaurant and Room service duties
• Escalate staff issues and concerns to Food & Beverage Manager; administer tip-pooling policy according to company policy
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assistant Servers and Bussers

Required Skills/Abilities

• Treats all guests with the highest level of concern and care; demonstrates a natural disposition towards personal and public safety; operates from a place of integrity, honesty, and ethics
• Able and willing to maintain regular attendance and punctuality to ensure all essential duties are fulfilled
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to write and speak clearly
• Treats everyone with respect and dignity, accepts responsibility and takes ownership of tasks, follows through on commitments, takes initiative and maintains confidentiality
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, strong time management skills with a proven ability to meet goals and deadlines
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced, high-volume environment

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED is required or have equivalent work experience in the hospitality industry
• Food handling certification (ServSafe) required
• Prior food service experience in a hospitality environment preferred, but not necessary

Physical Requirements

• Expected work hours: 7:30 to 5:00, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekends
• Travel: None
• Work environment and physical demands:
  • Able to frequently lift or move items weighing up to 10 pounds; occasionally needs to lift or move items weighing up to 50 pounds
  • Able to use hands to use and manipulate tools and objects or control equipment; adequate vision to do the same safely
  • Able to move about the property to perform assigned tasks and responsibilities, including standing for extended periods, walking, climbing stairs, stooping, kneeling, or crouching to perform functions
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

JRK is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.